After months of trying to get their golden doodle to walk in his wheelchair without tipping over, a couple tapped some much-needed expertise from Julian and Amy Mack, who operate the nonprofit Unconditional.
Kristi and Mike Conlon recently visited the Macks at their Laguna Beach home after coming across Unconditional on social media and attending one of its meetups for senior dogs and dogs with special needs.
With a quick switch of the wheelchair’s wheels to larger ones meant for a bicycle and some knowledgeable coaching, 2-year-old Billy was more stable and motoring down the street.
A Table Full Of Unconditional Love”
The Macks are hopeful with the right information and the right atmosphere, more people will be willing to adopt a dog that is older or has special needs and by doing so, save them from euthanasia in shelters or abandonment on the streets – issues many experts say is the last and greatest problem faced in canine animal welfare.
Putting their experience with older dogs and those with special needs to work, the couple has grown Unconditional to the point it is breaking ground on a shelter at property purchased in Laguna Canyon that will cater to that most at-risk segment of dogs needing rescue.
Their model will combine a nonprofit shelter that will offer a comfortable place for potential adopters to meet dogs and learn about how their needs can be successfully met in a loving home with a for-profit specialty veterinary hospital the Macks are building in Laguna Hills, which is expected to generate at least $1 million in funding annually to help with medical care for rescued dogs.
Adopting A New Pet After Loss
In data the couple analyzed from the Los Angeles shelter system over four years from 2012 to 2016, they said 25% of dogs ages 10 and older were euthanized compared to 6% of dogs 4 years and younger. And during that same time period, the number of dogs in the shelters that were 4 years or younger declined by nearly 40%, while the number of senior dogs increased by almost 20%.
But, the Macks know – they have four special needs dogs – these animals can become some of the most loving and special pets if they can only be given a chance to shine, they said, and if the public can become more educated on options for their care.
“Our dream is that we solve the problem that no senior or special needs dog ever has to be put down, ” said Julian Mack, as he held Oona, a Dachshund, Pekingese and pitbull mix that also uses a wheelchair – the couple adopted her two years ago after she was saved three times from euthanasia by a shelter worker.
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The single-level, 8, 000-square-foot shelter will have a “restful vibe, ” the Macks said, and feature a physical therapy room and a play area. A huge grassy area outside will be a perfect place for dogs of all abilities to romp and play.
Once up and running, Unconditional’s shelter is expected to house 40 dogs, and the couple said they hope to be able to find homes for more than 1, 000 dogs a year. The shelter is intended to “feel like a home, rather than a facility, ” and volunteers will spend time with the dogs in an open floor plan, not in kennels or cages.
Unconditional’s shelter will ensure the senior dogs are in a calm and loving environment where adopters can interact with them and see how special they are – in shelters they often hide in their kennels while the puppies romp and play, stealing the hearts of new adopters.
Worthy Of Love
“We want to put these amazing dogs in an environment where adopters can see them at their best and fall in love, ” Amy Mack said.
Mack grew up in Pittsburgh with goldfish and a turtle, not adopting her first dog until she and Julian Mack first met in Chicago. After being exposed to life with a dog, she got involved with PAWS Chicago, where the two helped with strategic planning and fundraising. Amy Mack also served as the nonprofit’s president for a while.
And it was through PAWS that the couple adopted its first dog with special needs, Carlo, who was so badly injured when found as a stray, one of his legs needed amputation.
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But, then, she learned what a “joyous dog” he would become, she said. “When he walked into the room, he had this confidence and exuberance and everybody loved him. It was really eye-opening.”
After they moved west, the Macks got involved with Pugnation Los Angeles. And, of course, couldn’t help but adopt three more pugs: StanLee, who has a cyst on his spine that left him with limited mobility; Ascher, who also needs a wheelchair; and Levi, who was found on the streets of Bakersfield emaciated with a broken jaw that had healed, leaving him with a “beautiful smile that I love, ” Amy Mack said.
Each of these pups continues to give the couple tremendous joy and a sense of fulfillment, the Macks said. Once they got to know each dog, they understood their needs and their schedules, making for successful adoptions and now, when they take them out on walks or into town, the dogs are magnets for people who delight at their happiness.
Adoption Is Not The Same As Having A Child Of Your Own”
“If this works, we want to build lots of these places around the country, ” Julian Mack said of the shelter model Unconditional is developing. “We think the holistic model of a great place where people can see the dogs and interact with them and see the community around them will make all the difference and these dogs will bring their sunshine into the lives of people’s homes.”
For the Conlons, Billy has been the light in their home. And now, with his new rig, he’s been tearing up the place.
“In the beginning, you have to figure out their needs, ” Kristi Conlon said. “We went through a year of trial and error and lots of tears, but after a while, something clicks.”
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Until their shelter is up and running, the Macks say they are working hard to help local rescue groups showcase their senior and special needs pups by spotlighting them on Unconditional’s website and organizing in-person meetups to introduce the dogs to a new audience of possible forever homes.
“Unconditional is building a community of people who know this secret, ” Amy Mack said, “and are coming together to spread the word and support other senior and special dog adopters.”
Erika Ritchie is an award-winning staff writer for the Orange County Register and 10 other Southern California News Group newspapers. She covers military and national defense from West Coast bases to the Pentagon. She's reported from Navy ships, Osprey aircraft and training ranges throughout Southern California, explaining national and international warfare tactics and military equipment. Erika has a comprehensive understanding of issues affecting South Orange County communities, including coastal access and the environment, the plight of marine mammal entanglements, water quality, development, local harbors and quality of life in Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, and San Clemente. While adept at reporting hard news, she's known for telling human stories of conflict, struggle and joy. She's a three-time award winner from the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation for telling stories of Marines in local communities. The Gerald R. Ford Foundation has awarded her coverage of National Defense. She's won many first-place awards from the Los Angeles and Orange County press clubs. Away from her pen, Erika runs, skis and enjoys all things ocean and outdoors. She grew up bilingual in German and conversational in French.We may be practicing social distancing for now, but that doesn’t mean we’ve got to stop looking for love. In fact, these are the days when we need love more than ever, and there’s no better place to find the very best type of love (the unconditional kind) than at your local shelter.
Unconditional Nonprofit Breaks Ground On Shelter For Dogs With Special Needs, Older
To make love connections easier while shelters were temporarily closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, Best Friends teamed up with Adopets during the Find Love Online virtual adoption event, held May 27 through June 1 on laptops, tablets and smartphones everywhere.
“The response to the Find Love Online event was overwhelming, ” says Bethany Heins, director of operations and strategic projects for Best Friends. More than 250 Best Friends Network partners raised their hands to participate, and while the numbers are still coming in, they’re already impressive. So far, the Find Love Online event has found homes for 1, 719 cats and dogs from our network partner shelters, lifesaving centers and the Sanctuary.
Best Friends and Adopets made the entire process easy. All participants had to do was search the website using their zip codes to view adoptable pets in their areas. Once they found their match, they could apply to adopt, arrange a meet-and-greet, complete the contract and schedule their pet pickup — all without leaving the house (no impressive online dating profile necessary).
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Adopets offered organizations using its platform the opportunity to process adoptions with special incentives, thanks to such event sponsors as Wellness Natural Pet Food, official pet food partner of Best
