27/01/2025
Can we do it????
In 2008, a young military couple purchased their first acreage at a duty assignment in South Carolina. It didn't take long before a true calling drew them in. That young couple was my husband, Christian, and me, Shelby.
Shortly after settling in, we learned just how many animals were abandoned, abused, neglected and had nowhere to go.
So we did something about it. We started finding homes for animals that were abandoned on our little farm. And one fateful year, Christian bought me 3 kennels for my birthday to "keep saving lives". And that was the birth of what would someday be known as For Belle's Sake Rescue.
Starting small but mighty, we started to become known and requested in our small community. And that's when we met Belle.
On April 1st, 2012, we received a frantic call about a dog spotted laying in a field presumably hit by a car. She had been seen there for several days and couldn't stand. She was surrounded by cans of dog food and chicken and covered in crawling fire ants. She had two shattered back legs, a broken back, all of the skin and muscle was missing from her hind legs from road rash, and she was in organ failure. We knew if we tried to save her, it would be a long and painful process and she more than likely would not survive it. She had suffered for days. She deserved dignity. She deserved a name: Belle. I knelt before her, held out my hands, and asked a very simple question. 'Belle, what do you want?' She rested her head in the palm of my hands and closed her eyes. Her breathing got slow and she told me she was ready to go. We knew Belle for only a couple of hours, but in goodbye, For Belle's Sake Rescue was born.
In 2015, our family had grown by 4 sons and we were set to move to North Dakota. Thinking there wouldn't be a need here, we considered closing For Belle's Sake Rescue. Boy, were we wrong! The North Dakota community welcomed us with open arms and so we continued our Rescue efforts and grew! For 10 years we have been blessed to serve where we are best! Animal rescue, spay and neuter assistance, low cost boarding, community programs and support, low cost microchipping, the list goes on!
But now we are at a crossroads. A new adventure awaits for our family in Nebraska! And we have a decision to make. Overwhelmingly, our community has supported the continued operations and relocation of For Belle's Sake Rescue. We have found an amazing property of 35 acres for sale!! In order to keep saving lives, we need to raise funds to purchase the land and relocate the facilities.
For Belle's Sake Rescue will not only continue to serve rural USA, but we will expand services if we can purchase this land. Expanding our play yards, adding an indoor exercise and meeting space for poor weather, adding horse and other farm animal rescue services, having open house hours, increasing our boarding capabilities for lower income families and serving our military community.
As a 501c3 volunteer based organization, we have only been able to honor Belle's life and loss because of each of you who has supported us. And with your continued support, we can ensure her legacy lives on.
We have always been about breaking the norm and proving the power of small town people doing BIG things. Let's write another chapter together!
Please select the link below to donate or donate direct via:
PayPal: [email protected]
Venmo:
Mail: PO Box 243, Sawyer ND 58781
In 2008, a young military couple purchased their first acreage at a duty assignment in South Carolina. It didn't take long before a true calling drew them in. That young couple was my husband, Christian, and me, Shelby. Shortly after settling in,...
