Rescue Profile: Big Dogs, Huge Paws

Big Dogs Huge Paws has been in the news recently, after rescuing a dog from near-death conditions. This is nothing new for this group, however. Big Dogs Huge Paws, Inc., or BDHP, was founded in June of 2008, and is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. The rescue helps all breeds in need, with a focus on Great Danes, Great Pyrenees, Newfoundlands, Saint Bernards, all types of Mastiffs, Irish Wolfhounds, and Scottish Deerhounds. These breeds do not have specific rescues set up to help them, so BDHP step in to fill that need. BDHP helps rehabilitate dogs with medical or behavioral problems, and keeps them in loving, responsible foster homes until a suitable adoptive home is found for them. BDHP also hosts regular playdates to help socialize fosters, BDHP alumni, and other dogs in the community.

Currently, the President and CEO of BDHP is Lindsay Condon, who works at BDHP Headquarters in Colorado. Lindsay coordinates almost all rescue, foster, adoption and transport efforts. In addition, there is an upper tier of corporate officers, including a COO/Chief Operating Officer, and CMO/Chief Medical Officer. There is also a Senior Management Team including Accounting Director, Operations Director, Retail Director, Information's Technology Director, Fundraising Director, Human Resource Director, Marketing Director, Media Director, Community Outreach Director, and Foster Director. There are a number of unpaid volunteer coordinators in regional areas to assist with home visits and other events. BDHP currently has over 100 giant-breed dogs in their care, waiting for loving forever homes. Several hundred of these gentle giants pass through BDHP's doors each year.

If you wish to volunteer with BDHP, simply go to their website and fill out a volunteer application. There are many ways to help. You can run transports, helping rescue dogs from bad situations and taking them to foster homes, or taking dogs from foster homes to their furever homes. These transports take place on almost a daily basis, and run in almost every state. In addition, BDHP always needs foster homes for their Gentle Giants. Foster homes are given the training and funding to make sure dogs get everything they need, and are taught the skills necessary for success in their furever homes. There are many other volunteer opportunities on the website.

BDHP is no exception when it comes to needing funding, either. You can make a one-time donation, or set up a recurring donation right on their site. They also have a webstore with plenty of great items you can purchase, and the proceeds go to help dogs in need. In addition, BDHP has fundraisers through direct sales companies, such as Scentsy and Stella & Dot, allowing you to shop for a great cause!

If you are looking to adopt a Gentle Giant, BDHP has lots of dogs that are looking for furever homes. There is a rigorous application process - BDHP ensures that every dog is adopted by a loving family that will take the best care of them possible. To adopt, you must fill out the adoption application on their website, and go through a process of interviews and home visits. Once you are approved to adopt, you can meet the dog or dogs of your choice to make sure they will be a good fit for your family and any dogs you currently are a pet parent to. Once this process is complete, you can adopt!

As a volunteer for BDHP for over a year, I have met with many other volunteers and the feedback I get is resoundingly positive. The volunteers work together as a team, and there is an atmosphere of family when we get together for a playdate or meet-and-greet. Currently we hold weekly playdates at a local outdoor dog park, which gives the volunteers time to socialize and share tips and tricks. There is always room for more human and doggie volunteers to help socialize and care for our gentle giants in need.

Big Dogs Huge Paws is doing great things for our giant furry friends. You can help with just a little effort. Don't pass these dogs by just because they are big - big dogs need love, too!