JULIE JO AND CHI TOWN
SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
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Jen's Editing Note: Too often, we see posts about lost pets on our resident Facebook page.
We've chosen to collaborate with member Julie Jo to raise funds and collect items needed for animals at Maricopa County's West Valley Shelter known as "Chi Town." The good folks there take in dogs from the euthanasia list. The dogs then receive rehabilitation and put up for adoption. In addition to our Community Charity program funds, Julie is in need of blankets, towels, pet food, pet toys, wee-wee pads, pick up bags, pet clothes, and pet vitamins. You can donate by texting Julie Jo at (623) 695-9869. To learn more about this program, we asked Julie to be part of our #FridayFeature focus. THANK YOU Julie for all you do! We hope you enjoy this Q&A as much as we have. And please consider participating in this month's fund raising effort. |
Q. Tell me about yourself and your family.
A. I was born and raised in Kansas and have lived in Estrella for 13 years. We followed a job opportunity for my husband, Jerry, and I found a teaching job in Rainbow Valley. We are both now retired, after raising our two daughters through Liberty District and Arizona colleges.
A. I was born and raised in Kansas and have lived in Estrella for 13 years. We followed a job opportunity for my husband, Jerry, and I found a teaching job in Rainbow Valley. We are both now retired, after raising our two daughters through Liberty District and Arizona colleges.
Q. Did you have pets growing up?
A. My childhood pets included the usual dogs and cats, all rescues from shelters or off the street. My dad hatched Bob White quail for stocking farmers' land, so I incubated three that were my pets: Peeper, Squeegy, and Cutie. He also raised hamsters and guinea pigs for pet stores and, once we moved to the country, various game birds and miniature horses for sale and show. Caring for the animals became a bond between us.
A. My childhood pets included the usual dogs and cats, all rescues from shelters or off the street. My dad hatched Bob White quail for stocking farmers' land, so I incubated three that were my pets: Peeper, Squeegy, and Cutie. He also raised hamsters and guinea pigs for pet stores and, once we moved to the country, various game birds and miniature horses for sale and show. Caring for the animals became a bond between us.
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Q. How did you become involved rescuing animals?
A. When I retired in May 2014 after 30 years of teaching, I needed something to do. I noticed a post on Facebook regarding the E-listed animals at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control. I cried over the lonely, beautiful animals on the euthanasia lists and wished it weren't so. After a couple of weeks, I decided to do more than that. I signed up to be an Adoption Counselor so I could match eager pets to families, as well as give blankets and soothing words to those animals waiting for their chance. Chi Town is a small rescue within MCACC that gave me the opportunity to get to know the small e-listed dogs that had been overlooked for fear, anxiety, or a medical issue. It's a safe, transitory place where they learn that people can be kind, crates can be a haven, and they can have doggy pals. Chi Town serves as a bridge between the intake kennels and a home sweet home. There are so many special Chi Town stories that a volunteer created a page called Chi Town Adopters, a happy place where we share the silly, every day moments that our dogs give us. |
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Q. Tell us more about Chi Town.
A. "Chi Town" (short for Chihuahua Town) is a division of the Maricopa County Animal Care & Control West Shelter that takes in dogs from the euthanasia list! These dogs may not be doing well for a variety of reasons- fear, fear aggression, anxiety and have no other outlet. After our dogs are medically cleared and/or their behavioral issues have improved, they are available for adoption. We have a 93% live release rate, with the exception of a few dogs who were humanely helped to cross the rainbow bridge due to a severe medical condition. Our dogs leave Chi Town to foster or adoptive homes, private rescues or the Scottsdale PetsMart Charities Adoption Center.
A. "Chi Town" (short for Chihuahua Town) is a division of the Maricopa County Animal Care & Control West Shelter that takes in dogs from the euthanasia list! These dogs may not be doing well for a variety of reasons- fear, fear aggression, anxiety and have no other outlet. After our dogs are medically cleared and/or their behavioral issues have improved, they are available for adoption. We have a 93% live release rate, with the exception of a few dogs who were humanely helped to cross the rainbow bridge due to a severe medical condition. Our dogs leave Chi Town to foster or adoptive homes, private rescues or the Scottsdale PetsMart Charities Adoption Center.
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Q. How has one of these animals touched your heart?
A. About six months ago, a fearful dog who had been there for almost two weeks was put on the e-list. He sat in the back of his kennel, refused human contact, and even the bribe of a hot dog. My volunteer friend said, "Dog, you have NO moves. I'm naming you Jagger, so you can find some," and brought him to Chi Town. He sat in the room's corner there, too, and tensely watched everything. Over the next three weeks, he finally ventured out to socialize a little with the other dogs and even a human or two. I looked down one day and there he was at my feet, looking up at me. I carefully petted him. The next day, while out in the play yard, he jumped up into my lap...the best move he ever made! I took him home to foster for the weekend and by Sunday night, we'd decided he needed to stay. He was afraid of men, so my husband worked with him for weeks, and now Jagger goes to him for pets and sleeps under his desk. He is best buddies with our other rescue, Darcey, and enjoys daily trips to the dog park. |
Q. How can others get involved helping these dogs?
A. Fosters are always needed! If anyone can foster a puppy for even a month that is a huge help! Monetary donations are always welcome and go a long way to help the dogs. Blankets, towels, pet food, pet toys, wee-wee pads, pick up bags, pet clothes, pet vitamins….you name it, we need it! I also created a Facebook page called "It's a Dog's Life...and You Can Save It" for anyone interested in information about MCACC and also how to help their own animals. I share things I wish I'd known and am still learning about how to care for animals in need and the ones that we love.
A. Fosters are always needed! If anyone can foster a puppy for even a month that is a huge help! Monetary donations are always welcome and go a long way to help the dogs. Blankets, towels, pet food, pet toys, wee-wee pads, pick up bags, pet clothes, pet vitamins….you name it, we need it! I also created a Facebook page called "It's a Dog's Life...and You Can Save It" for anyone interested in information about MCACC and also how to help their own animals. I share things I wish I'd known and am still learning about how to care for animals in need and the ones that we love.
Q. What would you like to see in Estrella over the next 10 years?
A. Besides world peace, let's see... How about a dog park ... with shade trees and a walk-in entry pool, with a concession stand with treats for people and dogs? And a quiz about dog behavior to see if owners should be allowed to enter? lol But really, in 10 years, I hope this valley has a better handle on how to be responsible pet owners to whatever animal they choose to adopt. The reason that MCACC exists is to provide "care and control" for the abandoned, over-bred, and stray animals of Maricopa County. This is something that many of us were taught as kids and I'd like to see a program established in Estrella to educate children in how to care for their pets so shelters don't have to exist.
A. Besides world peace, let's see... How about a dog park ... with shade trees and a walk-in entry pool, with a concession stand with treats for people and dogs? And a quiz about dog behavior to see if owners should be allowed to enter? lol But really, in 10 years, I hope this valley has a better handle on how to be responsible pet owners to whatever animal they choose to adopt. The reason that MCACC exists is to provide "care and control" for the abandoned, over-bred, and stray animals of Maricopa County. This is something that many of us were taught as kids and I'd like to see a program established in Estrella to educate children in how to care for their pets so shelters don't have to exist.
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