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Meet Danielle Stewart of Apollo Support & Rescue in Denton

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Stewart.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Danielle. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have always had three things that I think influenced me starting my rescue. Being in the Army and being a disabled vet (10 years served) created the leadership in me. Having a rough childhood and a lifetime of abuse I became tough. The last thing would be compassion for animals and those that cannot speak for themselves. It has not always been about the animals I would always give the last dime I had to help others. Growing up poor and not knowing where my next meal was coming from I knew what it was like to have needs. The difference is I would often be hurt, betrayed or used by humans where in dogs, you got a lifelong best friend. Something about a rescue dog, they know you saved them and they show it.

As an adult, when I ended up divorced twice, failed relationships and my High school son became independent, I had a toddler who seems to bond well with my Pitbull. I always knew my son was special, very smart but different (later diagnosed with Autism). The animals seem to respond to him and him to them. I started fostering and volunteering for 2 organizations. I had so many ideas and plans and ways I wanted to make a difference but my views were not falling into place with the current organization. Being the natural leader and “go-getter” I have always been. My mom said one night “start your own organization” I was like what would it be called how would I do this. No Idea what I was doing. Now I had a good job and money to invest which I thought was important at first with no donations. Then came a name. I would like to rewind a little to tell a story which will later explain why we chose the name we did.

So, my birthday was approaching June 15th and I was wanting to foster a pitbull for my birthday or a dog in need. I was on Facebook, and not sure where exactly I was but there was a pittie who was going to be euthanized in the morning so I posted I will take her. I then went to bed. Not knowing at the time crazy rescue people stay up all night long last minute trying to find fosters get approvals home check, references whatever we got to do to save a dog. So, I woke up to about 30 messages and emails and it was too late. I slept in that morning (probably the last morning I got to sleep in in my life lol). I was devastated the dog was euthanized. So, a Group out of Canada (no longer an organization) contacted me about foster a dog they had boarded in a place in Burleson. They pulled dogs from Texas shelter and placed them in a boarding place until their forever home was found. So, it was June 15th, 2011 and I set out for my 30-minute drive. When I arrived, I met the man and said please give me the dog that is needed out of her the most. He took me around back and on a cold concrete floor laid a white mangy dog. She was bleeding from the mouth and she was pregnant. I began to cry (that never goes away). I asked him to load her into my car that she was the one I was going to save. This dog was named Mama Colleen.

To fast forward through all her medical struggles as there was many… she delivered 9 babies June 28th, 2011. Their names were Poseidon, Hera, Artemis, Theseus, Zeus, Ares, Hades, Hermes and Apollo. Mama Colleen struggled she never seemed right. I spent many nights sleeping on the bathroom floor making sure the puppies got nursed. 3 Weeks later, I was downstairs and I thought I heard a bunch of crying going on upstairs where they were kept. So, I figured they wanted to nurse. I ran upstairs and walked into the room and it looked like a murder scene. I was in shock and screamed for who knows how long until I realized my older son was shaking me. I immediately went into mother mode shut the door and kept my little son out of the room. We piled every one of the puppies into a laundry basket and hurried to the emergency clinic. that night my life changed. I thought I would never be the same. I needed therapy to recover. There was one puppy with minimal damage, Apollo, I said let’s do what we must to save him. So, the rescue I was with had raised a lot of money for this Mama Colleen and her pups. She even had a Facebook page. So, I knew it would be ok. Then the rescue called me and said that is not how it works there is no money and everyone needed to be let go. I was confused. So, I called a friend and borrowed the $1100 I needed to save Apollo. (the rest had crushed skulls and could not be saved) He had what they call baby shaken syndrome. Apollo came home after a day or 2. He was fed mush and became my life. I swore I just was not cut out for this animal rescue business. I lost 8 puppies and then the mom as she never recovered from her issues. After spending days in bed depressed and devastated. All I could think about was if I never opened my home to her she would be dead and there would never be an Apollo there are also so many at this boarding place. After the money argument on the funds that were raised, I left that organization only to find out they abandoned all their dogs at this boarding place due to no payment. I spent the next 6 months driving down there and taking these dogs to events and doing everything I could to find over 20 dogs that were abandoned their new homes. January 2012, it was a new year and brings me back to starting my own rescue. I decided to do it and swore if money was raised for a dog that dog would get the care it needed if any extra great but until that dog was cared for that money was for that dog. Basically, I wanted to run an honest rescue so back to the rescue name….

Apollo Support & Rescue was started. It’s obvious why Apollo was chosen. The support was added because I wanted to be more than just a rescue. I wanted to provide support to the ones in need.  We have paid pet deposits, we have provided dog food to many families, we have even helped other smaller rescues. You name it if we have helped many situations. We have even helped many humans in our organizations. Ones that lost homes, could not pay bills due to health issues, Ones that lost their way and needed second chances.

Now over 5 years later we have 5 acres, a 4500 Square foot building, 2 trailers and a small dog park. Did I ever think I would be here… never? I hear people today say. If I just had land or a building I would save more. It is so much responsibility and we barely get the bills paid. its cost nearly 10K to run the facility and that not even the vet bills. So, I tell people unless you have the network and funds be careful what you ask for. This is a life style now. Not one you can just wake up and say I want a career change. No, these dogs will be with you forever. I will probably die of old age still running this rescue.

Many ask how this has becomes a success. Well, I built a great team of volunteers that make it all possible. I have had some pretty awesome grants from a wonderful family and foundation (JES Edwards Foundation THANK YOU!).

The grants helped me purchased the land and build the building, it did not cover it all as we do still have a mortgage but without them this would not be possible. I have run some people off being direct and stern or not knowing how to do this. But I also have many loyal hardworking volunteers that stuck with me and admire my leadership. So many that had doubt in me, later saw what I could do. I mean I knew nothing about what I was doing. The rescue world was not very helpful it was like a competition and I did not understand why. So, I had to learn on my own through trial and error. To this day I will go out of my way to help and work with other rescues. I have helped many get started giving my advice of my experience and struggles. Now I can look at a dog’s poop and know what’s wrong lol. We have made mistakes along the way but we have learned and improved. This is not easy, this is not for just anyone, the responsibility is overwhelming. I have gone to bed many nights crying, praying and hoping I would wake up to an answer that it was time to quit but nope I just got more support. I don’t know how I do it most days being a single mom, working a full-time job, taking care of my Autistic 10-year-old son, and running this rescue. I delegate a lot to wonderful volunteers. I employee staff that needed a second chance and so they are loyal to what I have helped them with. It’s all about second chances. We need more of those.

I will end with this. I have been accused of Warehousing dogs… Having a building is wonderful that I can house and provide a home for so many. Is it what I want? No. It is far from what I want, these dogs need homes. But we, at Apollo are a family we treat each dog housed at Apollo like a family dog. They are walked, loved, get a bed, 2 meals a day treats you name it they are loved. Recently, a dog Ruby, we had for 5 years, yes, 5 years, I pulled her in 2012 from Fort Worth Shelter and she just got her first home last month. So, call it what you want I call it a home until a forever one is found. Picture in this Article is another dog Cowboy (Also a Fort Worth shelter dog); he was with Apollo almost 5 years.  He finally got his forever home. We will never give up until they all have homes.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Wow… Huge questions. One of the main things I think most rescues at first don’t plan for is the returns. We start adopting out dogs to wonderful homes. No matter how good the home check is, the family’s references, even great Vet references. People’s lives change. This resulted in returns. At one point, we had so many returns and the foster homes were all filled up I had 25 to 30 dogs in my house. Don’t get me wrong they were very well cared for. My house basically turned into a kennel. I installed AC in my garage set up full-size kennels. This only last a short time before finding a boarding facility to work with us. Eventually, it is what led us to build our own facility.

Another thing is funds. When we don’t have the money, or funds donated I make up the difference. This has caused me to have a lot of debt. I have done without so the dogs could eat. a Steady income is something many rescues don’t have and it make it very hard.

Last thing, and you don’t have to use all the responses, is the rescue world is tough… there are these people that sit on the sidelines and judge your every move. There are hate groups going after certain rescue groups passing their own judgment. I never seen so many people passionate about animals’ tear so many a part. I had to learn to ignore it and say over and over in my head.” My actions will speak for themselves”. I think they eventually did but it was rough.

Apollo Support & Rescue – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Apollo Support & Rescue is a “No Kill” animals rescue. We have found almost 2000 dogs’ new homes in 5 years. We have had to let 2 dogs go in 5 years due to human aggression. We spent a ton on training and it did not work. We are known for taking in some pretty bad cases of neglect but not any more than other Dallas based rescues.

We take great pride in being professional, treating adopters like family, providing them with continued support and always taking the dog back if it was not a good fit.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I think providing once homeless, abused, starved, and neglected animals a second chance is a success. Not giving up on dogs we have had for 5 years and watching them drive off with a new family. That is a success to me.

Pricing:

  • Sponsor a dog for as little as $1 a day. This provides food and treats $5 a day takes care of all their care and much more.
  • Adoption fees $200 for all Adult dogs Includes Vaccines, Heartworm Test, Spayed/Neutered, Microchip, Exam
  • Adopt a puppy for $250 includes everything Microchip, Spay and Neuter, all vaccines, training, vet exam.

Contact Info:




Image Credit:
Cat Dennis
Robert Stulken
Apollo Staff

Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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