OLBH is in the business of saving lives. A need for a no-kill rescue in our area
was recognized after observing high kill rates at local shelters and a large number
of animals being abandoned in the community. In an effort to provide a positive solution,
OLBH first organized in 2006. Since then, we have found homes for over 350 dogs,
built a very strong base of dedicated volunteers, and continue to expand our sustainability
and visibility throughout central and southern Indiana communities and surrounding
states. Over the past year and a half, economic times in our community have been
increasingly difficult and the value of our organization has become more apparent
than ever. The number of animal surrenders is at an all-time high and despite our
46 adoptions in 2009, we continue to be at or near maximum capacity We rescue dogs
regardless of their breed and do not charge individuals or families who relinquish
their pets. Because many local rescues and shelters either charge a fee, are breed-specific,
or do not employ a no-kill philosophy, we fill a gap that otherwise exists in this
community. We have taken in animals from every situation imaginable and have had
dogs left at our doorstep in the middle of the night. Despite the circumstances,
each of the dogs that come into our facility is provided individualized treatment,
care, and rehabilitation as needed. All of our dogs are spayed/neutered, micro-chipped,
and provided monthly heartworm and flea/tick preventatives. We go above and beyond
to fulfill our mission. When our rescue is full, we employ a program that enables
us to help financially strapped families care for their pets while we search out
a new home for them. As part of this program, we post the pet on our adoption website
and provide the family with pet food, medication, and preventatives until we find
a suitable home for their pet. This program provides the added benefit of only one
transition for the animal (from their current home to a new home), omitting the transition
to a shelter environment. Completion of the remaining building projects at our new
location will enable us to maintain compliance with state requirements and allow
us to continue to address the needs of our community and neighboring areas. It will
also enable us to begin focusing more resources and efforts on our long-term goals
of expanding the no-kill philosophy and more broadly teaching the principles of responsible
pet ownership.
