Save Chip from science

UPDATE  (12/30/11 - 10am MST)

Best news ever!  It has been confirmed that Chip found his forever family this morning.  It's the perfect home for him and Chip will remain in Michigan, where he is already loved and comfortable in his own back yard.

The second piece of good news is that ALL the dogs at the Mecosta County Animal Shelter have homes.  Due to the outstanding job that everyone did at spreading the word, the Mastiff and the two retriever pups were also adopted by families this morning.

NMDR and CAWL would like to extend a huge thank you to North Star Border Collie Rescue in MI for making the 2 hour drive to the shelter this morning just to get this information in person and to pick up any dogs that were left.  We rest easy knowing the information is accurate and all dogs are safe, sound, and out of there.

Many called, emailed and posted wanting to make donations to help with Chip's transport fees and care.  We have not accepted any of those funds because we would never take donations under false pretenses.  Because there is no transport, transport funds are not needed specifically for that.  However, the three organizations who worked together over the last 2 days save countless dogs every day and continually operate on a shoestring budget.  Combined, the three of us have hundreds of dogs in our care and always more coming in.  All are 501(c)3 nonprofit, no-kill organizations and would appreciate any donations you can possibly give.  Click on the images/links below to donate.

North Star Border Collie Rescue

CAWL - Colorado Animal Welfare League

NMDR - National Mill Dog Rescue

Lastly, a HUGE thank you goes out to all our social media friends, fans and followers.  Even though Chip is not in our care, by spreading the word, you are the ones who found him a home and saved him from science.  You saved all these dogs.  Thank you, a million times, for all your help.

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UPDATE:

Colorado Animal Welfare League (CAWL) has stepped up to help NMDR and Chip.  They have arranged for transport from Rochester, MI, to Denver, CO on Monday, Jan. 2nd.  When arriving in CO, Chip will either be fostered through CAWL's network or ours.  He will also receive care through a partnership of the two organizations.

However, Chip's not in safe hands yet.  He needs to be picked up from the shelter in Big Rapids, MI.  It is also roughly a 3 hour drive from Big Rapids to Rochester.  If you are in the area and can provide Chip with a place to stay for a few days and/or start your New Year off by making a drive to Rochester, MI, you would definitely qualify as this dog's lifetime hero.  All calls to the shelter seem to be going to their voicemail at this time, but it is believed that the fee is $35 to get him out.  Whatever it is, if you can get Chip out of there, NMDR will reimburse you and be incredibly grateful.

If you can help get Chip out of the Mecosta County Animal Shelter and get to Rochester, MI, please email either NMDR or CAWL as soon as you can.

Thank you from NMDR, CAWL and especially Chip!

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National Mill Dog Rescue and Chip need your help.  Chip, an 8 month old Aussie/Border Collie/hound mix, is currently in a shelter in Big Rapids, MI.

Why is a puppy mill rescue group in Colorado sending out a post on behalf of a dog in Michigan?  Because Chip's time has run out and we have a large social media network that may be able to help.

Chip is young, sweet, amicable and overall, a very happy dog.  Even though dogs are euthanized every day, what will happen to Chip is actually much, much worse.  If Chip doesn't get out of this shelter this week, he will be sold to a research lab.  Chip's location, Mecosta County Animal Shelter, is located in one of the two counties remaining in MI that practice pound seizure.  Shelter pets are sold to class B dealers for use in experiments and research.

Chip's bio and adoption information from the shelter can be found here:  http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/21791332
(NOTE:  Please do not call this shelter just to rant about their practices.  The person who picks up the phone is only a middle-man and the employees there don't make the rules.  Let's just do the best we can right now and try to save Chip.)

Please share this post.  Someone who reads may know someone in MI who can help.  Spreading the word makes a difference.

If you are in the Big Rapids area and can help Chip, please call the shelter 231-796-1331 or personally head over there to meet Chip.  National Mill Dog Rescue would also like to help by being an umbrella for this dog.  We can't make it all the way to MI today, but we can help whoever can help Chip asap.  If you can only foster him, we'll help use our network to find him the right home.  We'll help with adoption (shelter) fees and vet care.  If you can help Chip in the present, contact us, and we'll work with you to ensure his future.  This dog will not go down on our watch.

Thank you in advance for sharing this post with everyone you know.  We'll get Chip out of there so he doesn't spend the rest of his life in the misery of a research lab.