How it all began...

In 2008, we found a starved mamadog and her 6 puppies at a gas station during a winter storm.. a chilling 13⁰ weather. After a vet visit, we found out Mamadog was high heartworm positive and hanging onto life for her young. This opened our eyes to a huge epidemic in animal neglect, and the need for local animal rescue.

During the last 16 and a half year, we transformed our home into a rescue center for animals in need. We saved every penny, skipped vacations and luxuries, and raised funds for over 4,000 dogs and cats that have come through our home. Each soul received the vetting that they needed, no matter the cost.

With careful selection, those 4,000+ pets were placed into loving homes.

At this time, we're in DIRE NEED of help for funding many major surgeries.

Everyone around here (Athens, AL), knows we take in the hard cases (puppy mills, ferals, major surgeries, such as eye/leg/kidney removals, and pregnant mothers)... truly, the animals that don't have a chance until they meet our family.

Our mission, The Long Way Home Rescue, is in need of a minimum of $8,500 for upcoming surgeries and basic needs!

These animals are in pain, have infections, and have been neglected by so many people before us.

Meet some our rescues in URGENT CARE:

-Cannoli (mini dachshund) came to us at 15 years old and barely able to stand from starvation. He was found by a cleaning crew after the previous owners move out of their rental home. After 6 weeks alone, he was emaciated and near death-- slowly dying, locked in a dark bathroom. Luckily, they rushed him to an emergency vet. He didn't have a chance, until now!!! His teeth are rotted, gums infected, and in need of a major dental! He is on antibiotics until the funds are raised. (Full dental $300)

-Patches (Gray tabby mama kitty) came to us with 7 newborn babies. We were told her previous 2 litters all died outside. Little did we know, she herself is in need of major medical help! Her eye was injured as a kitten. She was never taken to the vet, leading to major pain, degeneration, and blindness. Her eye now is irreparable with glaucoma (painful pressure buildup). She needs a full enuculation (eye removed).

I'm happy to report, she is a wonderful mother to her 4 sons and 3 daughters, and they are all flourishing in our care. (Eye enuculation $350)

-Strawberry (orange tabby) lost her mom on a Thursday and on Saturday had her kittens on the porch. She was distraught with the commotion and ran off. We bottlefed the babies for 4 days until she felt safe to return.

We're looking to build an inside and outside catio (cat patio enclosure) for her litter and Patches' litter.

We went from zero cats to 12 overnight! All of these 12 kitties will also need spayed/neutered, microchips, feline leukemia tests and vaccinations. This added expense was not in our budget, but we couldn't say no. They needed us!

(Catio materials $600 & vetting for 12 kitties $1800)

-Rascal (senior pug/maltese) sadly lost his mom to cancer. He was very attached to her and misses her dearly. He walks around our house whining and looking for her. We took him in to prevent this heartbroken 14 yo senior from going him into a kill shelter. Can you imagine?

His poor teeth are very rotten, hanging on by a thread, and in need of a full dental. He is on antibiotics until the funds are raised. (Full dental $300)

-Poppy (frenchie/boston terrier) was one of many puppies at a breeders. She was the only one with "cherry eye," so the breeder put her on Craigslist for a lesser price.

In the writeup, the breeder was being dishonest and saying the eye didn't bother her and didn't need any special care.

From experience, most cherry eyes are verrrry uncomfortable. The third eye lid, responsible for tear production, is flipped and protruding from the eye socket. This leads to dry eyes, ulceration, infection, and major discomfort. Repeat scratching and scarring can also lead to blindness!

We bit the bullet and bought her, to get her the best care possible. She's already seen our favorite opthamologist in Birmingham, and she needs surgery in 3 weeks.

She's on a round on presciption eyedrops to help shrink the third eyelid for surgery. She will have the protuding part "tacked," not cut out. This is the healthier way to repair this birth defect. (Cherry eye repair $2,000)

-Marshmallow (bulldog/heeler) was found running down the highway with a huge pregnant belly. We asked many neighbors if they knew her owner, and the stories all led us to one house... an empty, abandoned house.

She was known by many as, "the thin dog that stands in the road like she's lost but won't let anyone catch her."

We found out her owner's moved away 6 months ago. A neighbor had been feeding Marshmallow and Maverick (Great pyrenees). When Maverick came in, he weighed only 68lbs and should've weighed 100-120lbs. He was not getting enough food!

Marshmallow settled into my office and had 8 beautiful puppies (4 males/4 females). She is a wonderful mother. Feeding 10 extra mouths and upcoming vetting is very expensive. (Vetting for 9 $1700)

We desperately need your help!

No donation is too small!!!!!!!

Please help us help these new additional 25 dogs and cats in our care.

We currently are feeding 80 and getting calls everyday! Until these surgeries are taken care of, we can't take in anymore!

(Monthly food bill $1,300)

Please help!

-Maggie Chandler Tucker & family

To see their stories and other adoption stories, please lookup #Thelongwayhomerescue on Facebook