Hi, my name is Reina, and I’m raising funds for a very special shelter dog named Monterey.

Monterey entered Berkeley Animal Care Services around June. By August, due to lack of space, she was on the list for possible euthanasia. I couldn’t let that happen. I pulled her from the shelter and transferred her to Rocket Dog Rescue, hoping this would be the start of a better chapter for her.

Unfortunately, after a short foster placement that didn’t work out due to scheduling constraints, Monterey was placed at Rocket Dog Rescue’s Urban Sanctuary in Oakland, where she has now been living in a kennel environment for over two months.

Why Monterey Needs Help Now

Monterey is incredibly smart, affectionate, playful, and food-motivated. She loves to cuddle and engage with people. However, extended time in a kennel has taken a toll on her.

She is experiencing severe kennel anxiety

She has begun scratching herself from stress

She has lost a noticeable amount of weight

She got giardia, likely from prolonged kennel exposure in an unclean environment

She has not had the opportunity to learn basic house manners or potty training—not because she can’t, but because she’s never been given the environment to do so

The longer Monterey stays in a kennel, the harder it becomes for her to recover emotionally and behaviorally.

The Plan: Board & Train for a Second Chance

I am trying to move Monterey into a long-term board and train program at Seeonee Super Dog in Antioch, CA. This would give her:

A structured, clean, and monitored environment

Daily training to learn house manners, potty training, and impulse control

Socialization with other dogs

Consistent human interaction and enrichment

Reduced anxiety and stress

A much better chance at being successfully placed with a foster or adopter

This program would act as a bridge—a safe, nurturing place for Monterey until she finds her forever home, or until the end of next year, when I graduate from San Francisco State University, secure a job, and am hopefully able to take her in myself.

What Your Donation Will Cover

Funds raised will go directly toward:

Board & train placement at Seeonee Super Dog

Medical care (including treatment and prevention)

Food and daily care

Adoption and rescue-related fees

If any funds remain after Monterey is safely placed, they will go directly toward saving another dog through rescue.

“Why Donate to This Dog?”

You absolutely should support other dogs and rescues—and I encourage that wholeheartedly. I’m simply asking for help for this one dog, who I made a promise to.

I am a college student and do not currently have the financial means to do this alone. But I have been rescuing, volunteering, and working with shelters my entire life. Monterey was the last dog I worked with at Berkeley Animal Care Services before stepping away to focus on my final year of college. I am deeply committed to finding her the right home and giving her the chance she deserves.

I may not have the money right now—but when I do, I will be the one giving back. This is the work I’ve always been meant to do.

My Christmas Wish

All I want for Christmas is for Monterey to finally feel safe, cared for, and hopeful again.

If you’re able to donate, sponsor her care, or even share this fundraiser, you would be directly changing her life—and helping her heal before kennel anxiety takes more from her than it already has.

If you’re not able to donate right now, please share this GoFundMe. Sharing helps just as much.

Share this page on your social media

Send it to friends, family, coworkers, and dog lovers you know

Print and post flyers (which I’ll be sharing) in:

Your neighborhood

Dog parks

Pet stores

Vet offices, groomers, and community boards

The more people who see Monterey’s story, the better her chances of getting the support she needs before kennel anxiety takes any more from her.

Thank you for taking the time to read, care, and help in any way you can. Every share, every repost, and every conversation makes a difference for Monterey.

Here is my volunteer instagram to see videos of Monterey and how sweet and smart and playful she is! https://www.instagram.com/lightning_at_bacs/

Here is a link to the Canva poster I made that you can share:

https://www.canva.com/design/DAG7mTjk-Nc/faRF9jSVoap5Qujk-hhgtg/edit?utm_content=DAG7mTjk-Nc&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton