Vanderpump Dog Foundation: Bridging Continents for Canine Welfare By Writer and Contributor Maileena Faaita

As a dog owner myself I am amazed at how many resources there are in the community that push for change while looking to make an animal's life better. The Vanderpump Dog Foundation has been able to show the world what it truly means to be involved in animal rescue.

Lisa Vanderpump and Kenneth Todd started Vanderpump in 2016 and it has taken the animal world by storm. The Vanderpump Dog Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit dog rescue organization and although they are an adoption center in Los Angeles their story and mission started in Yulin China. Todd and Vanderpump saw the horrific things that dogs were going through as the Yulin Dog Meat Festival was taking place. They decided they would do anything they could to end the festival and started rescuing dogs from Asia. Despite being rooted in solving the dog meat problem in China, this foundation has been able to help dogs domestically as well.

When taking a deeper dive into this foundation there are numerous initiatives, but the Yulin China Program is extremely important to acknowledge. This specific initiative is not only about ending the dog meat trade, but it is also about making sure these dogs survive it. The hardworking team in China consists of 14 individuals and this initiative works extremely close with international partners to aid in finding these amazing dogs a home in places that aren't dealing with overpopulation. As the Vanderpump team in China is working hard to save as many dogs as they can, they have had to relocate due to the Covid rules put in place. This relocation is not simple, and it requires a lot of work to move and care for the dogs that are currently in the foundation's care. With this being a large global issue the Vanderpump team in China is accepting donations as it can cost approximately $100 per dog and roughly $2,500 round trips. This initiative is extremely important and continues to live by their mission to "embrace a platform of education, awareness, and legislation, to propel our movement forward in China, as well as around the world. "

Another amazing initiative within the Vanderpump Foundation is the Maternity and Nursery Program. It can be very hard to handle when a dog gets pregnant, and it can be especially hard once they give birth to their litter. Within the maternity and nursery programs, there are amazing ways to make sure the mother and her puppies are well taken care of. It is noted that the Vanderpump Foundation works extremely close to high-kill shelters in the city. They also work with shelters that may be understaffed or unable to help take care of the dog and her litter as it can be very time-consuming as they require a lot of attention. Since the mother and puppies need a lot of specific care, it only made sense that the Vanderpump Foundation created an offsite location to make sure they are the happiest and healthiest they can be. The nursery partners with dedicated fosters in providing a safe and nurturing space for the moms and the birth of their puppies. As it takes a minimum of 8 weeks before the puppies can be adopted, the nursery and fosters make sure that once they are born, the puppies have a place to grow up before they get transferred to the adoption facility. As caring for an expecting mother and a litter of furry friends can be very costly there are various ways to donate and help the maternity and nursery program. You can sponsor a litter, or puppy, or even sponsor the neuter and spay finances all through the Vanderpump Foundation website as well.

I know there are many initiatives to learn about but the last one I want to highlight is the Vanderpump Veterans program. I found this program to be heartfelt and beautiful after reading about what it not only means for the veteran but for the dog as well. This program is made to be mutually beneficial for the dog and its new owner as they both find comfort in their new life together. This program specifically works alongside the Toni Brooks Foundation and New Directions and Raven Drum Foundations. Being partners with these foundations helps Veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder adopt their new companion at no cost. The veteran will be partnered with a dog that is the best fit for them. The beautiful part of this is that the dog they will be partnered with is another rescue that has gone through 90-120 days of training from a professional Board-certified trainer Madeline Quint to make sure this new life for both the owner and dog is perfect. It is known that "veterans have a much higher risk of developing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). About 11-20% of veterans from Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom have developed PTSD symptoms. That is an extraordinary number of people who need help dealing with PTSD symptoms. People with PTSD often struggle with emotional numbness, night terrors, depression, paranoia, and loneliness. Studies have shown that emotional support animals (ESA), especially dogs, help soothe many PTSD symptoms in veterans." With that said to pair dogs with veterans at no cost, the Vanderpump Veterans program is also open to donations as it can cost around $2,500 to board and train a dog to be the right fit. You can donate and or even sponsor a service dog board and trainer.

I know I only mentioned three types of initiative programs within The Vanderpump Foundation but there are plenty more. There are medical, legislation, homeless, and even senior programs that can all benefit from sponsors and donations. I just wanted to draw attention to this foundation as a whole because as we all love our pets, there are endless amounts of dogs worldwide suffering and needing that extra helping hand. The Vanderpump Foundation has shown an extraordinary level of care and compassion as it continues to be a leader in the animal rescue community. So, if you are looking to foster, adopt, donate, learn, or connect someone to the numerous foundations in place, you can find everything you need to know at https://www.vanderpumpdogs.org/

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Bio:

Maileena Faaita is a south bay native who grew up in Torrance and is currently finishing her bachelor's degree in multidisciplinary studies with honors and will pursue graduate school. She grew up playing soccer and is now a collegiate and semi-professional athlete. Aside from sports Maileena has recognized her passion for writing and storytelling. Being able to capture and share stories for the world to experience is Maileena's ultimate career goal.