Loving dogs a must

About a year ago, Theresa Ramsey found herself in a situation helping a dog which touched her heart. In response, she started an organization called Must Love Dogs Sanctuary.

About this time of year, I learned about a white German Shepherd that had been abandoned,” Ramsey said. “Saratoga Police Chief Mike Morris picked her up and she was beautiful. I wanted to adopt her. When I met her with my dog, she became aggressive.”

Ramsey knew she had to find the German Shepherd a home. She asked herself what type of resources Saratoga had to take care of animals that were surrendered or abandoned.

“We get a surprising number from sources,” Ramsey said. “I have learned from Chief Morris that they (Saratoga Police Department) do not have much of a budget. They have a tiny kennel that would accommodate four animals but not comfortably. “

Ramsey said Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter is another alternative to keeping abandoned animals in a safe place. However, they charge money for any services including adoption fees.

“The Town of Rawlins has a nice shelter, however, they charge Saratoga, Hanna,

Elk Mountain and other municipalities fees to put animals in shelters where they don’t have any money,” Ramsey said. “I decided to start a non-profit organization and I was amazed at how simple it was in the state of  Wyoming.”

Ramey said the timing of starting her organization was perfect. She was pleased with how her planning worked when she applied last June.

“We have established with the State and applied with the IRS,” Rasmey said. “One month later, around the 4th of July, the state notified me that we were officially starting.”

Morris said he has been working with Ramsey on finding a home for stray dogs. He said she has been a help in taking a huge weight off the Saratoga Police Department’s (SPD) back because of the limited space SPD has for abandoned dogs.

“Theresa contacted me last year and it started when she wanted to do some things for the dogs that ended up in the shelter,” Morris said. “Theresa did her homework and started her nonprofit organization.”

Morris said Ramsey has been a big help for SPD in providing funding to help the dogs that are at the shelter. He said his department has benefited from Ramsey’s organization with the funding of supplies the dogs need.

“She has raised a fairly significant amount of money and SPD has benefited from that,” Morris said. “We were able to get toys and treats for the dogs to occupy them in the shelter. She helped provide dog beds and has paid for spay and neutering which helps dogs become adoptable.”

Morris said, because Saratoga is a small town, there is no funding to have an animal patrol department. He said SPD is the only department which handles animal patrol issues. “Saratoga is not big enough to fully fund an animal patrol officer,” Morris said. “We are having a hard time getting dispatchers and officers and that is one of the functions the police department is authorized to do.”

Morris said he also got help from Ramsey in starting a spay and neuter program where funding is needed. He said this program helps reduce the pet population and prevents dogs from being homeless.

“Whenever we get a dog that has been truly abandoned, that does not have a home, we connect with other organizations where we reach out locally,” Morris said. “Being able to spay or neuter a dog and help to defray the cost to someone who is going to adopt their pet is a huge benefit.”

Morris said, when a dog gets adopted from the SPD shelter, all shots, spaying and neutering are covered by Ramsey’s organization. Must Love Dogs also takes care of some of the medical procedures when needed. Morris’s message to residents is that responsible dog ownership starts with them. Each time a dog leaves someone’s yard or becomes abandoned, a litter of pups could also be a victim of homelessness. This is why spaying and neutering is important and a top priority for anyone who owns a dog.

According to the Animal Adoption Center (AAC/ Spay/Neuter Wyoming), millions of adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized each year due to overcrowding at local shelters. Donations can be made to Must Love Dogs Sanctuary by mailing them to P.O. Box 517 Saratoga, WY 82331.

For additional information, contact Ramesy through email at [email protected] or call (307) 329-3383