Caroline Marlow is fundraising
Donate to Support ASPCA's Mission
Hi! My name is Caroline Marlow, and I'm asking you to support the incredible work of the ASPCA, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. This fundraiser will be active starting today, September 17, 2025, and will end on National Puppy Mill Survivor Day -- September 30th, 2025. Any donations are being directly sent to the ASPCA.
3 years ago, I adopted my dog, Ruthie, on September 17th, 2022. She is a Jack Russell Terrier/Poodle mix with tons of energy and personality. She saved my life, and I like to think I saved hers. I wanted to share her story to explain why I chose to do this fundraiser for the ASPCA.
She was only 6 weeks old when her mother and littermates were rescued from a puppy mill bust in Ohio. She had to be separated from her mother when they were rescued, as her mother needed more intensive care and recovery. Ruthie and her littermates were covered in fleas and ticks, as well as suffering from worms and giardia, a parasite that causes an intestinal infection. She spent a month at a rescue shelter with her siblings trying to get healthy enough for adoption. I found Ruthie when she was 10 weeks old and fell in love with her instantly. There were signs her siblings were still affected by the puppy mill, as they were a bit shy and quiet. Ruthie, however, was trying to play and explore, so she captured my attention immediately. I was even told she was the favorite of the litter. I knew she was exactly what I had been looking for. Ruthie and her littermates were healthy and ready for adoption, but they still had giardia. I was fully committed to working with my vet to get rid of her giardia as fast as we could, raising her, training her, and helping her with any other effects from the puppy mill. She is now healthy, happy, active, and just turned 3 years old in July!
Her story opened my eyes to the effects puppy mills have on adult dogs and puppies. Because puppy mills are so overcrowded and filthy, they create a perfect breeding ground for diseases and illnesses. They promote unhealthy breeding practices and leave animals with lasting behavioral/psychological issues. These animals are put in an extremely unethical and abusive environment. Only about half of puppies born in puppy mills survive the first 12 weeks.
ASPCA and SPCA International have wonderful pages with educational information about puppy mills and how you can help more directly or locally! Even if you can't spare anything to donate, it would mean a lot to me to gather awareness about puppy mills and prevent animal cruelty. Some small ways you can help are to buy products from brands that don't test on animals or donate old towels/blankets/food/toys/leashes/collars, etc to a local shelter!
Their websites are linked below.
ASPCA
SPCA International
I chose ASPCA as the organization I wanted to donate to because they are a vital advocate for animals across the nation, tirelessly working to prevent cruelty and ensure their safety and well-being. They are the first animal welfare organization in North America.
Your generous donations will help us make a difference in the lives of countless animals. Together, we can:
- Provide essential resources for rescuing animals from crisis situations.
- Advance legal protections, creating a safer environment for animals in our communities.
- A
- K
- A
3 supporters
guidestar.org/profile/13-1623829