Dakota Rescue, a dog rescue facility in Pinehurst, is working to give dogs that would otherwise be euthanized or abandoned a second chance to have a permanent home.

Board member and founder Margaret Smith started Dakota Rescue in 2008 from her home because of her love for animals.

“My husband and I have always been animal lovers,” she said.

Pictured is Eddie, a Blood Hound and Basset Hound mix the organization rescued in order to give him a second chance at finding a home.

She obtains the animals through organizations such as the Montgomery County Animal Shelter, SPCA, BARC or abandoned animals she finds. These organizations contact Smith when an animal is expected to be euthanized because they have not been adopted.

Her husband, Steve, began looking for a larger and more stable facility for the animals. Smith said he never stopped looking.

In 2010, the Smiths found property in Pinehurst. Smith said the three acres was a perfect area because it had a home for the couple and a large facility to house the animals. The facility now has five full-time employees who help care for the animals and maintain the property.

Currently, the facility houses about 60 animals. An additional 15 dogs are in the foster care of a volunteer in Willis, she explained.

Smith said that in 2010 the organization rescued 275 dogs and were able to find permanent homes for 210.

At the facility Smith is able to perform temperament tests on the dogs and establish what type of personality the dog has, whether they are shy, enjoy kids or other dogs or enjoy being the only dog in a home.

The downside to Smith’s efforts, she said, is that the organization is donation-driven. Due to a lack of donations Smith has paid for most of the facility’s needs out of pocket.

Animals normally come to her shelter already having their required shots, but if an animal becomes ill the cost is left to Dakota Rescue.

The organization currently has one sponsor. Smith said the organization doesn’t often receive donations.

Smith explained that the organization recently lost its Dog Food Sponsor. The facility requires about 84 bags of dog food per month. She added that the foster families usually require dog food when they care for several dogs.

The property that the facility lies on has two acres which are unoccupied. Smith explained her long term goal is to build another facility to house more animals.

She said she also wants to have a senior facility for older dogs, because they usually never get adopted.

When an animal is chosen to be adopted, Smith said the board reviews the application and visits the applicant’s home.

“We want the animal to feel like it is part of the family,” she said.

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