Last Hope Rescue working with animals with complex needs

While more Iowans have considered pet adoptions because they are working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, animal rescue organizations don’t always have the dogs people want.

“People were seeking puppies, but we didn’t have that pool of puppies,” said Amanda Rushton, development director for the Last Hope Animal Rescue in Cedar Rapids.

“We tend to skew more adult dogs, more medium to large dogs. The few little dogs we’ve had, we’ve easily had 20 to 25 applications in a day or two. What a wonderful problem to have. But you still have a lot of big dogs that are just as deserving of a home.”

Last Hope, which started in the early 2000s, rescues dogs, cats and occasionally other animals. Most of the animals are in foster placements throughout the community, but newly-arrived and hard-to-place animals usually live at the shelter where they can get regular care and training.

The pandemic has translated into some surrendered dogs having behavioral problems, Rushton said.

“Undersocialized dogs that didn’t get the socialization with other animals or people in general,” she said. “There are greater requests for help with that.“

Like many nonprofits, Last Hope lost volunteers during the pandemic and had to cancel several fundraising events.

But the rescue was able to keep doing its popular Valentine’s Day fundraiser offering “puppagrams” and “kitten kisses” both virtually and in person in 2021. Staff bring some of their easygoing dogs and cats to help with deliveries of red roses donated by Anamosa Floral, Rushton said.

“We’ve delivered on front door steps, elementary schools and offices,” she said. “What happens every single time is classmates or office workers come out and enjoy the love also.”

Last Hope hasn’t yet opened slots for the Valentine’s Day 2022 fundraiser, but Rushton soon will post information on the group’s Facebook page.

The group announced last week more than 400 individual donations came in Jan. 17, which would have been the 100th birthday of actor and animal lover Betty White, who died Dec. 31. Donations to local shelters were encouraged by the “Betty White Challenge” on social media.

Last Hope is seeking volunteers to foster animals or help around the shelter, Rushton said. Duties could include walking dogs, answering the phone, helping with laundry or doing outside yard work. If you’re interested, please complete a volunteer application online.

The organization’s website also has listings of adoptable animals. Last week there were more than 80 cats, more than 30 dogs and four rabbits. People may complete an adoption application online. Rushton asks applicants to be patient as staff review the applications in the order received.

“When we meet an animal and bring it into our care, we don’t have a predetermined timeline for adopting out that animal,” Rushton said. “We love and appreciate the people who take the time to understand each animal is individual. The biggest thing would be to ask for some grace.”

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