My Biz: Not-for-profit gives dogs one more chance (WITH VIDEO)

Luke was saved on his last day, Nancy Crist recalled.

Nancy and Mike Crist, who incorporated Dogs Forever Safe Place in Cedar Rapids as a not-for-profit in March 2011, step in when local humane societies or city animal shelters do not have the funds or the personnel to cover the long, expensive process of ridding an animal of disease.

“We feel like we are filling a niche because when dogs at Animal Control here in Cedar Rapids or a variety of other shelters in the area have to euthanize because of health reasons or overcrowding, we can take at least some of them and treat them, buying them more time,” she explained.

Luke was slated for euthanization.

“We brought him back to health, and it was a long and expensive process that included treatments with Heartguard and then graduated over so many months to an injection in the spine,” Crist recalled. “In all that time he had to be kept calm, and it is very difficult for your traditional shelters to do this level of care.

“We had two dogs that we went through that with, and we are very glad we did because they are wonderful dogs and they wouldn't have had a chance otherwise.”

Luke has been adopted, and the Crists have 12 on site at this time.

They've helped dogs from Jones, Boone, Story, Linn, Black Hawk counties, “and even as far away as Corydon, south of Des Moines,” she added.

Safe Place and its volunteers - between 10 and 12 regulars - provide veterinary care, medicine and safe housing for abandoned, abused and neglected dogs as they recover in preparation for being adopted.

But, she added, “The majority are on death rolls some place.”

Dogs Forever Safe Place is Linn County's only no-kill animal shelter.

Crist writes grants for financial assistance, holds garage sales and other fundraisers throughout the year to raise money and awareness. Monetary donations, as well as in-kind support, helps with the bottom line.

“We never just say no,” Crist explained. “If we cannot help someone, we give people resources of others who might be able to help.”

• Name: Nancy and Mike Crist
• Title: Co-founders
• Company: Dogs Forever-Safe Place
• Address: 809 Rockford Road SW, Cedar Rapids
• Phone: (319) 481-0977
• Website: www.dog-rescue-iowa.org

Know a manager or company in business for more than a year? Contact business editor Michael Chevy Castranova at michael.castranova@sourcemedia.net.