What people say about us
the following was written by Dr. Beth Wheeling who contacted the Sanctuary about Rex (shown above) and who has also adopted from the Sanctuary.
I was fortunate enough to meet Palena Dorsey a few years ago. A
few weeks after we met I got a call from another rescue asking me to
look at a Rottweiler that had bitten the postman twice. The homeowner
was being sued and could no longer keep his insurance if the dog stayed
at the house.
I went there and met this big gnarly Rottie, who growled at me
when I did anything he would consider dominant...like standing over him
or giving him a command. He was also infested with ticks.
I called Palena and she gladly took Rex and established dominance
with him within minutes of their meeting on the day his owner dropped
him off at the Sanctuary.
Since that time, Rex has gone to Humane Society dog walk
fundraisers and has not growled at anyone there or given any sign that
he would hurt another person. I am convinced that a dominant dog owned
by a passive owner is a recipe for disaster, and Rex nearly was sent to
the pound because of his master's approach to doggie discipline (which
was no discipline).
I often marvel at Palena's ability with dogs. At the Sanctuary
she will, at any given time, have several dogs that peacefully roam the
property. With anyone else, this would be a pack with a destructive
pack mentality. She is able to establish herself as leader without
inflicting any pain or punishment.
She says these dogs change because they know they are loved and
safe. I believe that to be true. I have one rescue Rottie from her and
I facilitated the adoption of another that lives next door. They are
both loving, intuitive dogs that coexist with people and other dogs.
I wish I knew what she did. All I know is that her dogs love her
and would die for her...and she for them. She has a natural gift for
loving the most surly or repulsive dog you might meet.
I can recommend her without reservation. She has saved many
great dogs by taking them in just as they were about to be euthanized
because someone at the pound couldn't bear to see a loving dog die. She
makes the room, because this is her life.
Beth Wheeling
Clinical Psychologist
Miami, FL 33143
Drbeth2000@aol.com
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Janice, a wonderful person who rescues little tinies never forgets me when she has one that is in dire need - like little Evan below who had no where to go and no one to tend to his needs
From Janice
Palena and the Sanctuary are the last hope for castaways just
thrown away.
She is a true saint and is blessed for helping these sad homeless
animals.
She never says no and always makes room, and gives as much love and care
as humanly possible.
I'm in awe of her and admire her greatly for all the help and love she
gives these animals.
Everyone gets better and gets adopted or has a forever spot with her.
Palena is a kindred spirit and we are all lucky to know her.
This is from her good friend Janice the Peke Pest who is eternally
grateful for the pekes help over the years. Love you, Janice
Janice
Peke Rescue
jono@gate.net
____________________________
My name is Dawn Heisler. I am the Vice President and Co-Founder of Save the Pets, Inc., a Florida based Rescue, Prevention and Educational Group that has been in operation for over 4 years now.
I met Palena Dorsey from Sanctuary Animal Refuge about three years ago when she needed help with a special pitbull named Kizzy. Since then I have had the pleasure and honor of working with Palena on many occasions. We have pooled resources to pull dogs from local shelters that were due for euthanasia. Dogs that were literally senseless, brain damaged, sick and with many different illnesses, beyond hope of any kind. I have watched the rehabilitation, the nights of no sleep so that she could lay and hold a dog as it lay near death, wishing life into it, fighting to give it life from herself, hope, love or if necessary, dignity in death.
I called her one day regarding an old blue dane who lay dying in a local shelter. He was full of heartworm, emaciated beyond hope and to her the most beautiful dog she had ever seen. Hercules as he was named became the meaning of the Sanctuary. She laid with him at night whispering in his ears, got him to eat and over a can of canine influenza, then went through heartworm treatment. He weighed 62 pounds when he was rescued, and he stood 38 inches at the shoulder. He was very very old. I can remember seeing him 6 months later at 120 pounds running about like a puppy - doing the electric slide with Palena or simply sitting in her lap like a child.
One litter of 6 week old puppies we pulled looked like they were 3 weeks old and were very ill struggling to live. Palena ran for 4 days back and forth to the vet, paying for the bills out of her own pocket to do blood work, transfusions, anything and everything possible. Every day one more puppy would die. The day after the last puppy died another horrible case was deposited at Palena's driveway. She picked herself up from the loss of the days before and began to fight for the next one to live and love.
Save the Pets, Inc. has also had the honor to work alongside Sanctuary Animal Refuge at adoption and educational events and the Sanctuary's community projects. Now that was something to see! Montura, where the Sanctuary is located has an extremely low average income. The pets there have mostly never seen a vet. With Palena heading the events we pulled together supplies, frontline, dewormers, vaccines, food, leashes, collars, educational tools and worksheets for the people to take home. We gave vaccines and examined the dogs. We even offered to spay any females for those that would allow it to be done. We must have treated over 300 pets the first two events. Then there was Miho. He was brought to one of the clinics almost dead. A 2 pound 2 year old Chihuahua with every kind of worm imaginable, no fur, emaciated, dehydrated, a walking skeleton, that was literally dying in front of us. Palena saw a child was involved with this and without making the child feel bad in fact I have never seen anyone handle a child quite like she did, she was able to take Miho to the Sanctuary where again she sat with him day and night and with the help of Indian Trace Animal Hospital returned him to life where he is now living in luxury in a new home.
Everyday is a struggle. South Florida euthanizes over 70,000 pets a year. We all need to work together, support and help all we can to make just one more life as it should be. Happy, healthy and loved. People like Palena Dorsey do not need a pat on the back. What they need are backs put into the effort to continue fighting for our animals
Dawn Heisler
Save the Pets, Inc.
Dawn@savethepets.com
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The Sanctuary Animal refuge speaks for itself with just the name. It is a place where animals that people have mistreated go to heal and become whole again. Palena offers a dry place to sleep, a roof over these beautiful animals’ heads, food for their hungry tummies, and most of all, love only an animal lover can deliver.We adopted a puppy from the Sanctuary Animal refuge and she is an important part of our family. She brings us joy, laughter, and shares immeasurable amounts of love. She was abandoned on the side of the road, and we took her in immediately. She now sleeps on top of any bed she can find, and spends the days with our father who is recovering from back surgery. Her personality is uncanny, and she is an amazing part of our family. She gets along with our other rottweiler, and gives our older mix breed dog a run for his money.The one thing I have noticed about the owners (and workers) of the Sanctuary is their devotion and love to the animals. I have never seen so many people give themselves so selflessly to a cause. The animals know they are safe at the Sanctuary, and they are instantly glued to Palena’s side as she offers them so much love, love which they never had, but deeply need.My experience with the Sanctuary, and the events that they have been participating in (adoption days at PETCO), have made me fond of the people (and animals) I have come to know. The workers at the Sanctuary are truly devoted to finding these animals good, loving, caring homes. They do not simply give the animals away, they actually take the time to look into the people adopting them, which I give them an immense amount of credit for.When we get our new puppy, the first place we are going to look is the Sanctuary Animal Refuge, as it is one of the best places to find a companion, and a member of a family. I recommend this Sanctuary to anyone, and everyone.
Alison Bendersky
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What the Sanctuary Means to Me
Jim and Janice adopted Champ over a year ago - they visit us often and always share stories about champ with us. Here is Champs thoughts on the Sanctuary
I was asked to explain what the Sanctuary means to me; I can sum it up in four words “It means my Life”. Let me explain, I was in the pound at Animal Control. Now, being an old dog and quite ill, I was scheduled for euthanasia. I didn’t want to die and just in time Palena and Joseph heard about me. I was rescued and taken to the Sanctuary. This is what they do there; save old dogs who would otherwise be euthanized. Now, I was just greatful to have a place to live out the remainder of my life with Palena and Joseph and the other dogs at the Sanctuary. But, Palena said that there might be someone who would like to adopt me and make me part of their family. That is just her way, she always thinks positively! Well, I didn’t believe her but she put my picture and bio on her website and that is where my Mama found me! My Mama, you’ll never believe it, was looking for an old sick Rottweiler!! You see she had just lost a sick Rottie and she was heartbroken over the loss of Mac. She saw my picture and story and well, the rest is history. She and my Daddy came and picked me up almost a year ago and I have been with them ever since. My life is now filled with love, kisses and treats. And my new Mama says that I have healed her heart!!
All this happiness is possible only because my “First Mama”, Palena has devoted her life to rescuing animals that “no one else wants”. Please, never say that an animal isn’t worth saving and never think that there isn’t a family for every special animal. I am living proof that there is a home for every unwanted animal. Please support the Sanctuary in their work.
Thank you, Champ
If you would like to donate to further the cause of taking in dogs that are aggressive or un-adoptable please donate below or send your donation to
Sanctuary Animal Refuge
210 N Palomino Street
Clewiston, FL 33440
PAYPAL DONATIONS
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