All About PROS
The Pug PROS Story
Pug Rescue of Sacramento is a non-profit organization that takes in Pugs and Pug mixes from across Northern California that have been abandoned at pounds or shelters, found as strays or turned in by their owners. We then spay or neuter the Pugs, make sure they are current on their shots, perform a heartworm test and start medication, insert a microchip, health check and provide for other medical assessment and treatment as needed, foster in private homes of our volunteers and then place them in loving, pre-screened adoptive homes.
Before PROS was formed the need for Pug rescue had become evident. A breeder in the Sacramento area named Marianne Herzberg-Stanley stepped into the void without having outside financial backing. She had done informal Pug rescue for years, but saw the need in the early 1990's and took the lead.
In May of 1996 we were incorporated as a California Public Benefit Corporation. By this time Marianne had yielded her involvement to others that have kept her efforts going. She left PROS in good hands with many volunteers and dedicated Board members.
The year 2001 brought a major change in our pug rescue organization. Pug Rescue by the Bay had joined forces with the Sacramento group and became affiliated with us starting in April. Prior to this change we had been taking in and adopting out a substantial amount of Pugs in the Bay Area. The volunteers and coordinators in the Bay Area have proven to be a great asset to PROS' rescue efforts. Effective on May 14, 2003 PROS became a federal nonprofit organization and this will benefit our many donators and members who support our rescue efforts.
By the end of 1999 PROS rescued about 27 Pugs for the year. The following year 75 Pugs and Pug mixes went through the PROS doors. We had thought this was a great record until the following year of 2001 brought us 137 Pugs and Pug mixes. In 2002 we had 117 Pugs and 2003 is proving to be just as busy as previous years. Contrary to our name, PROS will rescue from the Bay to the Borders because the need is evident. Most of our adoptions are more than 50 miles out of Sacramento or in the Bay Area.
Recently, several other rescues have come into existence that will take the strain off our efforts. We applaud their efforts and wish them much success, but as they come into growth we expect to remain the most dedicated Pug rescue group in Northern California. We have many contacts and volunteers in various geographical areas. Our ultimate goal is to make sure all Pugs and Pug mixes that need to be rescued get rescued.
We hold various events in the Bay Area such as Pug Sundays and the Adoption Fair. We are always looking for additional volunteers as well as foster homes for the Pugs waiting to find their forever home.
PROS accepts donations of new goods and services for our yearly auctions and raffles, as well as cash donations. We accept Pay Pal donations and can also donations through United Way. We are a state and federal non-profit corporation so your donation may be tax deductible. These funds go to providing food, medical treatment and care for the growing number of rescues that are finding their way to our door.
All Pugs that are adopted out are done so under a contract that provides that the Pug will be returned to PROS if the owner can no longer keep the Pug for any reason. It is the goal of PROS to never turn away a Pug in need. PROS does not euthanize any animal because of lack of space or inability to find a home, and in fact will only do so in cases of extreme medical crisis.
