We’re Going To Change Animal Welfare Forever

Matt (0:00)

Welcome to The Dogs Were Good again. Nearly five years ago, we decided to start a nonprofit. Since then, you all have helped us sponsor the lifelong medical care of 4,468 shelter dogs, helping the vast majority of them get adopted as well. Today's episode will be a very transparent look at how the 15 out of 10 Foundation operates and the massive next step you all have made possible. I'll be joined by our executive director, Nicole, and an adoptable dog that we are currently sponsoring. Before I introduce both of them, here's the two-minute drill of how we got here. I started WeRateDogs as a Twitter account in November of 2015

My goal was just to make people laugh. There were no higher aspirations because I didn't think any were possible. The majority of dogs we feature are direct from our community, and pretty early on, some of those messages had an ask for help attached. People struggling with their dogs unexpected medical bills. We began featuring GoFundMe for those dogs every Friday, and every single one hit their campaign goal, sometimes in less than 10 minutes. There were some issues, vetting the legitimacy of the campaigns, not being in control of the funds, and sometimes raising way more than what the family needed. In 2020, I adopted my first dog, Doug. He had medical and behavioral needs, and his presence made the whole thing click. There was a gap to fill in the animal welfare world, and we were uniquely positioned to fill it. In November of 2021, we launched the 15 Out of 10 Foundation, named after our highest rated dogs. Through the support of members, a portion of our merch, and those continued Friday fundraisers, we sponsor shelter dogs with medical needs.

I am so excited to dive into what we've done over the last five years, and share with you where we're going next. Joining me to do that is Nicole Burroughs, our Foundation's Executive Director, and Odette, our adoptable special guest.

Nicole, thank you so much for joining us.

Nicole Burroughs (1:59)

Thank you for having me.

Matt (2:02)

We do have an adoptable dog here.

Nicole Burroughs (2:04)

I'm super excited about this dog.

Matt (2:06)

Very excited. We did meet her a couple of days ago.

Nicole Burroughs (2:08)

Yeah.

Matt (2:08)

But not in this setting. This setting is very special.

Nicole Burroughs (2:11)

Yeah.

Matt (2:12)

Please join us in welcoming Odette.

Nicole Burroughs (2:15)

That's a safe space right here, baby. Totally fine. Hey, momas. How are you? I got you. Come here, babes.

Yes.

Matt (2:24)

Look at this. Come on up.

Nicole Burroughs (2:27)

It's cozy.

Matt (2:28)

No dog has ever been on that bed before. Hey, love. Odette is three to four years old. She's a 65 pound Mastiff Boxer mix. She is available for adoption from Canine Kismet. She has quite a ridiculous story.

Strap in for this. For nearly a month, she was living on the streets of Long Beach, covering an unbelievable amount of ground across the city. We're being told it's about a 13-mile span that she was roaming. She was spotted in places like Bluff Park, Bixby Park, along Broadway and Ocean Boulevard, near Shoreline Drive and even all the way over at Rosie's Dog Beach, which is very impressive, very, very impressive. The entire time people throughout the community were looking out for her. Residents were leaving food and water, sharing sightings online and trying to learn her patterns, so they could figure out how to safely get her off the streets. Odette seemed to want to be around other dogs and would sometimes run along people walking their own dogs, but she was incredibly shy and would take off anyone try to get close or try to grab her. One night, Odette followed two huskies home and into their gated complex.

Yeah, that's for you. I left that for you.

Yeah, into their gated complex, finally giving rescuers the opportunity they needed to safely secure you.

She was then brought to Long Beach Animal Care Services and then rescued by K9 Kismet. K9 Kismet reached out to their accomplished trainer, Angela, who specializes in helping dogs like Odette build confidence. Odette is now spayed, vaccinated and microchipped, and after recovering from an upper respiratory infection, she's ready for her next chapter. How did I do? Did that sound accurate?

Nicole Burroughs (4:14)

She's a special girl.

Matt (4:15)

Yeah. Anything else to add to your homeward bound journey?

Nicole Burroughs (4:18)

Yeah. I was privileged to get to see her freedom walk.

When I saw Odette, she was very withdrawn, experiencing some anxiety. And so part of what we want to do at the Foundation is give her the opportunity to be her most confident self and be comfortable and be in the right home. And so part of what we're providing to her is some behavioral support and giving her the chance to realize that she is the star that she thinks she is. Yes.