One Way Every Day: March 28 - Detroit Dog Rescue

Many of you who are reading this may have heard this story before, it has garnered national media attention, but if you live in the Detroit Metropolitan area the problem really hits home.   The Discovery Channel was putting together a documentary series titled, "A Dog's Life" focusing on the HUGE stray dog problem in the city of Detroit.

There are 50,000 stray dogs running loose in the streets of Detroit, and only 23 animal care workers to rescue them. Over 90% of dogs picked up in Detroit are euthanized. There are simply not enough resources, funding, rescue workers, or people who are willing to adopt.

Detroit Dog Rescue was born after the City of Detroit refused to allow access to television cameras which would document the stray dog situation. There is a stray dog epidemic in the city, just as there is in many cities across the United States which have had to deal with economic decline, dwindling populations and abandoned buildings.

Detroit Dog Rescue specializes in the rescue and placement of abused, unwanted and abandoned companion dogs. By involving and educating the community, Detroit Dog Rescue works to raise the public's awareness of the plight of stray dogs.

Monica Martino is an Emmy-nominated Executive Producer began following the stray dogs in Detroit in 2010, and created the Discovery Channel series “A Dog’s Life.” When the project was shut down by the city, she and Hush, A Rapper who was born and raised in Detroit, founded Detroit Dog Rescue.

Ms. Martino had this to say on why she decided to get involved,  "Pretending a problem doesn’t exist is not the way to solve that problem. I was really affected by what I saw and I could not in good conscience walk away from those animals that needed help. I’m hoping to work with the city and Mayor Bing to combine forces and bring about positive change. I’ve produced a lot of shows that have brought about incredible, long-term positive change (“Whale Wars,” “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” “Oprah’s Big Give”) so I know first-hand that pretending a problem doesn’t exist is not the way to solve that problem. I was really affected by what I saw and I could not in good conscience walk away from those animals that needed help. I know that if the rest of the country could see what I’ve seen after a year of intensively researching the stray dog issue in Detroit that they would respond."

Bless You Monica Martino and HUSH for all your work on behalf of Detroit's stray dog population!

Take a look at this video created by DDR.   Be forewarned, it is graphic.

Get Involved:

Detroit Dog Rescue is trying to raise $50,000 to set up the City's First NO-KILL Animal Shelter.  You can make a donation by clicking on the Donate button on their homepage.

Pass on this information to all of your family and friends!