Recently in Border Collies in Need Category

We received some more photos taken a few weeks ago at the Best Friends Animal Society's well-attended "Strut Your Mutt" on the Santa Monica Pier (see our earlier post about the Sept. 19 event).

These come from the sharp-looking black-and-white battalion, Border Collies in Need, with funds raised to help with medical costs for Angel and for Ferris, a 5-month-old border collie pup who was hit by a car. One of his rear legs had to be amputated. Both dogs' stories are on the website under "adoptions."

The group raised almost $4,500 at the walk with 23 walkers participating on their behalf.

Good job, guys.

Below is actress Emmanuelle Vaugier with Sundae, who also participated in the walk. Sundae was adopted from Border Collies in Need by Ariella Reisner. These pics turned out so nice that the organization said they might use Sundae for the Best Friends magazine promotion of next year's event.

We'd second that idea.

A dog with South Bay ties has made the finalists' list (the only Southern California dog to do so) in a nationwide contest among rescue groups to win $5,000 in pet food coupons.

Buddy's is an amazing story -- clinging to life when he landed in a Kern County shelter, Buddy was slated for euthanasia when volunteers from Border Collies in Need took him under their wing in 2009.

The group, founded in 2007, provided for the extensive veterinarian care -- and with recovery care at a foster home in San Pedro -- over the next several months.

Buddy's now in a permanent home -- he was adopted by a Los Angeles police officer looking for a senior dog -- and is happy as can be, spending his older years playing fetch, munching on treats and generally getting pampered.

You can cast your vote for Buddy online at www.rallytorescue.org, the site for Purina Pro Plan's Doing More For Pets contest. Buddy's currently in fourth place, I'm told, and voting ends Oct. 1.

The prize (thanks, Purina) will help Border Collies in Need continue its work in rescuing other dogs like Buddy who otherwise would not have a chance.

And be sure to watch the video below with Suzanne Strauss of San Pedro -- one of the founders of Border Collies in Need. What a great clip that really says (and shows) it all. Suzanne talks about Buddy's story with the dog's new owner, Joe.

Then, go vote.

Here's Buddy's full story:

Meet Chevelle ("Chevy" for short), a 6-year-old smooth coat (short hair, she weighs about 50 pounds) border collie who was turned in by her owner to Border Collies in Need. Go to their website to contact them if you're interested. (You're also all invited to "Like" the group via its Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/bcin.inc/)

The rescue group -- these are great folks, I adopted Tess & Cowboy from them -- has had Chevy for 8 months and is really trying to get her placed:

"Chevy, as we fondly call her, is a sad statistic we see all too often. People get a dog, then babies come and the dog becomes 'too much,' relegated to second, third or further down the line of priorities. Chevy was incredibly bonded to her man. Upon intake, she became extremely shut down. At points, we did not know if she would turn around. She was distrustful of everyone. One thing about this breed is that they are so highly intelligent they can overthink situations and that is just what Chevy did.

"She adores ball, is highly driven and we felt that would be our way 'in.' It was, it just took much longer than we expected. She took her time regaining trust of humans. But, boy, once she gave in, she has become the most affectionate girl in foster care!

"Chevy is housebroken and has good manners with one exception. She counter surfs, so no food can be left on counters. She settles very nicely inside and certainly has an 'off' button. She adores fetching her ball. She has been very good with the resident 3- and 5-pound dogs and gets along with everyone but one female here who insists on challenging her. We would say Chevy is an upper level girl and would be happy with a subordinant female or any male canine companion. She was an only dog in her previous life and would probably do well as one again, if provided the human interaction she craves.

"Chevy is such a lovely girl and we are looking for her real forever home. She certainly deserves that."

Check out the Facebook page for Border Collies in Need.

They're on the Web at www.bordercolliesinneed.org.

Yeah, I know. I'm partial. This is the group that rescued Cowboy and Tess (shown below) and adopted them to me.

The recession is taking its toll on shelter animals, according to an Associated press story that ran in the Daily Breeze today. From the article:

Animal rescues and shelters have suffered during the recession, particularly in states like California, Florida, Nevada and Arizona where the real estate boom busted the loudest, said Stephen L. Zawistowski of The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

So it's good to hear about how some groups are finding creative ways to make their dollars stretch.

Border Collies in Need, a group founded by Suzanne Strauss of San Pedro, has joined the "Double Your Impact Challenge" fund-raising drive, which is being sponsored by the Best Friends Animal Society. Donations made from Nov. 9 through Dec. 4 will be doubled by Best Friends, helping the rescue groups of your choice. I'm sure other local groups have signed up as well.

Under a new Best Friends  program called Network Charities, the campaign promotes collaboration among nonprofit shelters and rescue groups working to solve the problem of homeless pets.

Check out the Border Collies in Need page with Best Friends. 

Border Collies In Need (BCIN) also will attend the Best Friends Adoption Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Sunday (Nov. 15) at the La Brea Tar Pits, 5801 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles.

Here are 3 of the dogs currently available for adoption from the BCIN (you can contact them at bcrescue@cox.net or download an application from their web site):

This is "Cash."

Cash is beautiful, but on the thin side. He gets along well with small and older dogs and has a really nice disposition ... Cash is about 11-months-old and grew up on a 50,000 acre ranch in Northeastern Oregon chasing cows and everything else that moved! He fell as a puppy and dislocated his hip which had to be surgically replaced. He tends to favor his left rear leg every once in a while but has no pain. ... Cash NEEDS room to run!

And here's Shayna.

Shayna is a 1 year old purebred Border Collie. A traditionally marked black & white semi rough coated girl, she has one blue eye. Shayna is of very athletic build and we are working on adding a few pounds. ... Shayna is medium to high drive, thus we do not recommend her for the first time BC owner. She will need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to keep her engaged. A bored BC is not a good thing!

And Glynn.

Glynn is an 18 month old male Border Collie with a high drive. He is a gorgeous traditional black & white with semi rough coat. Glynn was found stray after being struck by a vehicle. Lucky for him there were no fractures.