About Us
LEADSRQ was created in 2017 by five of us that were volunteers at a local shelter.
Kristi, Jan, Jill and Gail
Prior to this, and with the support of additional volunteers, we found ourselves pooling our finances to provide animals with additional support at the shelter. We also saw animals returned to the shelter within days because the owner did not know how to address behaviors that the animal was exhibiting. Behavioral support would have kept many of these dogs in their homes. After much thought, five of us started brainstorming the possibility of creating a nonprofit that would help shelter/rescue animals get the help they needed so that we could get them in homes and keep them in homes. In May 2017 LEADSRQ was created so that we could carry on our passion.
Over the years, we saw that there was an additional need for financial support in our community for pet owners that love their animals but could not financially support critical medical and/or behavioral needs. The owners are faced with having to make the difficult decision of surrendering their pet into an already crowded rescue/shelter or the even more painful decision of euthanasia.
Prior to this, and with the support of additional volunteers, we found ourselves pooling our finances to provide animals with additional support at the shelter. We also saw animals returned to the shelter within days because the owner did not know how to address behaviors that the animal was exhibiting. Behavioral support would have kept many of these dogs in their homes. After much thought, five of us started brainstorming the possibility of creating a nonprofit that would help shelter/rescue animals get the help they needed so that we could get them in homes and keep them in homes. In May 2017 LEADSRQ was created so that we could carry on our passion.
Over the years, we saw that there was an additional need for financial support in our community for pet owners that love their animals but could not financially support critical medical and/or behavioral needs. The owners are faced with having to make the difficult decision of surrendering their pet into an already crowded rescue/shelter or the even more painful decision of euthanasia.
Since our inception LEADSRQ has contributed $78,076 to the medical needs of animals. As the owner of an animal in need, one is faced with last minute difficult decisions of our pet needing necessary medical assistance. Due to the current affairs of the world, owners are strapped for finances that would be needed for a pet. Some examples of emergency issues that we’ve assisted are pyometra surgeries, leg amputations, enucleation (eye removal), acute intestinal obstructions, etc. The behavioral needs have also been addressed to the amount of $30,459. This includes at-home one-on-one training of animals that have been adopted and are having difficulty settling into a household. We have also supported group training scenarios with volunteers and/or staff at local rescues/shelters.
As a result of offering this assistance, we have been successful in keeping animals IN their homes or getting them into homes. Many times animals are adopted and brought home with no assistance/reinforcement from the shelter/ rescue and after a visit or two by a trained professional the animal becomes a member of a family. Each year we see the need increasing to raise funds to support these animals in distress.
In Loving Memory of Doug Gilliland
Doug Gilliland, husband, father, uncle, brother, dog dad, dog walker, teacher, friend, kayaker and LEADSRQ board member, lost his battle to cancer on Sunday, October, 11 2020. Doug struggled on and off for the last 7 1/2 years battling cancer but never complaining. He found great joy in his family, friends, his dogs, shelter dogs and being on the water in his kayak. As a group, we shared a passion for saving animals, getting medical care for animals and keeping animals in homes and out of shelters when possible.
Please take a moment to remember a special man. Find the good in your day as he always did. Take time to do the things you love. Life is short.
RIP Doug.
