Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristina Martin.
Kristina, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started with Dallas DogRRR a year and a half ago. I had been following Marina on Facebook for a while and saw a plea for help for volunteers, and I reached out! Sara Cooper taught me the ropes, and I began processing adoption applications. Now, as Adoptions Coordinator, I work with our teams to ensure a smooth process for our fosters and adopters!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Dallas DogRRR has grown exponentially since it’s beginning in 2015, and with that, of course, comes growing pains. When I joined, the rescue was in desperate need of volunteers to assist in the day-to-day operations. As a foster-based rescue, every single dollar donated (and quite honestly a lot of our own money) goes directly to the dogs- medical bills, supplies, food, community outreach, etc.
We don’t have a facility, so we rely solely on the public to open their homes to these dogs in need in order to continue saving more. I think the growth has shown the level of support the community has given; however, as long as there are dogs and cats in our shelters being euthanized, and as long as there are cruelty and abuse cases that go un-investigated, rescues like ours are the only hope for a lot of these animals. We are always in need of fosters, donations, supplies, and volunteers! It’s a rocky road, but worth every moment!
Dallas DogRRR – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Dallas DogRRR is a volunteer-run non-profit rescue for dogs and cats in the Dallas-Ft. Worth areas. We are the rescue that never says ‘no’ and we very often save the ones that other rescues turn down. I have watched our fosters and vets pull off miracles that continue to inspire me personally everyday. We explore every single option for our animals, and it makes me proud to say that this rescue is dedicated to the dogs and cats we commit to for their entire lives.
Over the last year, we have begun regular transports to our rescue partners in Washington, allowing us to save even more here in Texas! Unfortunately, Texas has shelters full of unwanted dogs while unregulated breeding and lack of spay/neuter enforcement contributes to high euthanasia numbers. It gives us hope to see how other states like Washington have moved to no-kill and that in the future it is something Texas can also achieve, but there is a lot of work to be done.
Dallas DogRRR and so many other rescues across the country are tackling this problem as we speak. As our motto says- we’re changing the world, one dog at a time!
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I think the definition of success is always changing! On one hand, the sheer number of animals Dallas DogRRR has saved to date is a massive success on its own. This group of volunteers is always pushing the envelope, asking ourselves how we can do more and how we can do it even better.
One of the things I think makes Dallas DogRRR so successful is our ability to evolve and grow. As a group we adapt quickly to change, we’re always first to raise our hands to volunteer, and we always put the dogs above everything else. We’ve formed lifelong friendships with each other, and while we don’t always agree, we treat each other with love and respect.
To me personally, that’s what makes us successful in every single thing that we do, and makes me so excited for our future!
Pricing:
- Under 12 months: $300
- Over 12 months: $200
- Senior: $150
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dallasdogrrr.org
- Phone: 214-384-3123
- Email: adopt@dallasdogrrr.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristina.martin6
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.
