Partner Spotlight: Laila’s Legacy Animal Rescue
We’re thrilled to share our partnership with 2024 Hansel Help grant recipient Laila’s Legacy and how they’ve used their funding to save lives. One of the things we pride ourselves on most is how our Hansel Help grants give rescues the confidence to be able to pull dogs with special needs (be they medical or behavioral) that they might not have had the financial security to otherwise, and our Laila’s Legacy partnership is a prime example. Laila’s operates in the greater DC area, including pulling dogs from Prince George’s County, Maryland, where pit bull-type dogs are banned. Pits from the county’s shelter must be rescued or adopted outside the county — and even that is a step forward; until 2023, they were almost always euthanized without being given that chance.
The ability to help PG county dogs and the positive feedback we’d heard from local fosters were huge reasons we wanted to work with Laila’s Legacy. We also love that they’re a woman- and queer-run organization founded with behavioral and medical special needs dogs in mind. Their organization is named after Laila, a pit bull-type dog who was pulled by another rescue as a part of disaster relief transport but ultimately euthanized because that rescue didn’t have the resources to handle her behavioral challenges. The Laila’s Legacy team is committed to providing dogs with the resources they need to thrive, so they aren’t failed by human organizations and breed bias like Laila was. They also save non-pit-bull-type dogs from other shelters, as well as cats. With their Hansel Help grant, they were able to save two pits with high medical needs from PG County shelter, and we’re so honored to be a part of their work!
First up is the beautiful Ivy, a beyond special girl. She came to the shelter emaciated and with stress-induced skin issues but is doing amazing in her foster home. But the real miracle?? This tennis ball loving, strong lady has a microchip that was implanted 19 YEARS AND 8 MONTHS AGO. She is the absolute definition of a super senior. She would do best as the only dog in the home and is available for adoption for her golden next chapter! Learn more about her and apply to adopt here and follow her journey through her foster’s Instagram.
Beneficiary number two is adorable Buster. One week in early August, a shocking 34 dogs were on the urgent list at the Prince George’s County shelter (usual numbers are under 10, though the Laila’s team says these numbers aren’t unheard of towards the end of summer, when surrenders increase. Check out a local news story at this link). Luckily, 31 pups were able to be saved, with Laila’s Legacy pulling six of them. Buster was one of these dogs, and he required lots of follow up medical care. When rescued, he had abscesses from where he was likely attacked by another dog and was understandably fearful (though he’d already started doing better with other dogs in the shelter). He also had blood in his urine, which became a severe emergency the weekend after he was pulled. He was hospitalized with a very inflamed prostate and recovered after being neutered and treated with IV antibiotics. We’re so glad Laila’s felt secure pulling a high medical needs dog like Buster from the shelter thanks to our grant and was able to save his life just in time, and that Hansel Help could assist with his hefty medical bills. He’s now doing well and even attended an adoption event recently! Learn more and apply to adopt him here, and check out this awesome testimony from his foster:
“He continues to be an excellent and easy, gentle leash walker...Buster also rides very well in the car, not moving or making a peep. Buster also is feeling much better and has begun to show us a playful side. We’ve learned he enjoys snuffle mats, beef check rolls, and licki mats, and lots of snuggles at tv time. Buster also adores foster dad and wants to be included in everything he does, particularly plumbing work...Buster is consistently quiet while foster mom works from home and does appreciate a few potty breaks and short strolls during the day. Buster is exceptionally friendly with all adults he has met (no opportunity to meet with children yet). Buster seems very curious about other dogs and can be excitable when seeing them. We are learning more about Buster and how he feels about other pups!”
