Secondhand Soulmates

29/03/2024

I am posting with an update in regard to the status of Secondhand Soulmates rescue. Early this year, our board of directors voted in agreement to dissolve the rescue.

The challenges we faced are challenges many rescues in our area and across the nation face, a lack of a sustainable support system. Unfortunately, this led to the entirety of our operations falling on the shoulders of just a few individuals. When faced with the problem of rescue/life balance for those individuals our viable options were to reduce the standard of care, attention, and time dedicated to rescue business or close the rescue and we opted for closure. The 60+ dogs we helped through Secondhand Soulmates all left permanent marks on our hearts and we remember each and every one of them vividly .We have nothing but gratitude for all of our adopters and could not have helped nearly as many dogs without the incredibly skilled foster families we worked with.

Thank you to all of our supporters, adopters, and foster homes for everything you did with us to help dogs over the years. You make the world a better place for dogs(and people).

11/10/2023

Does everyone remember Rudy ?
We posted about her some time ago.
Look at this girl go!!!

If you're able to support the amazing work critter crusaders does, please do. They gave this girl we love so much a chance at getting her happy tail back!

07/10/2023

Nikki is stopping by to say hello from her forever home! Nikki has been enjoying spending time walking, training, and learning all sorts of new things! We are very glad she found such a happy ever after home🐾❤

16/09/2023

Our friends at Dubuque Regional Humane Society introduced several of our board members to this sweet dog. She lost use of her legs unexpectedly shortly after arriving to the shelter. Rudy is lucky enough to have tons of support and a team that won't give up on her .

We are all pulling for her and she has even been in foster care with a foster home that has seen many secondhand soulmates dogs .
If you are able to donate or share this post to help fund her care ,please do!

A MAJOR EMERGENCY surgery today at UW Madison! Donations needed‼️
We have taken on Rudy’s case from our friends at Dubuque Regional Humane Society and we will need assistance. With so many pets in our system at Critter Crusaders we are always keenly aware of the expense involved in saving these lives.

Rudy is a 7 year old female Puggle who was surrendered to the shelter. In the last several days, this sweet, happy girl entirely lost her ability to use her hind limbs. Our immediate thought was a disc herniation. We arranged for Rudy to be transferred to UW Madison Veterinary Teaching Hospital ER Service yesterday for emergency evaluation and treatment. Today, Rudy had an MRI with UW’s incredible neurology service and as we suspected, she has a T-12 and T-13 spinal cord compression from a disc. Rudy is in neurosurgery as we write this post.

We do not know if she will regain function to her hind limbs or if the damage will be permanent. Nothing in medicine is ever guaranteed but we know for sure that without trying, Rudy will be wheelchair confined for a lifetime. At the very least, she will be free of pain and this will limit any additional damage to her spinal cord. We choose to be optimistic though, and over the next few days, her story will be told. These homeless pets deserve our effort.

If you are so fortunate to donate to Rudy’s medical care, we know that it will be at least $9,000 and any amount will help. Please also send positive thoughts and well wishes to this little gal. That wonderful little four letter word, hope, is worth everything! We are so appreciative.❤️🐾

Pay Pal: CritterCrusadersCR.Org
PO Box 10111, Cedar Rapids Iowa, 52410
Fed. EIN: 26-2821920
We thank you❤️🐾

06/09/2023

Have DRHS dog? Go to this main post from Kia and interact to help them out !

Did you adopt your pet from the Dubuque Regional Humane Society? We want your help in donating $1000 to the Dubuque Humane Society in the month of September! Post a picture of your pet from DRHS for every picture posted Finnin Kia will donate $5.00, up to $1000!

Be sure to tag both us and the Dubuque Humane Society in your photo.
*Animals pictured below are adoptable from DRHS*

22/08/2023

We are sharing this happy update from a recent adopter!

Oakley (formerly known as Sid) has been such a great addition to our home! He is the biggest goofball and gives the best snuggles 💕 He would play fetch for hours if you let him, loves going to the dog park, and enjoys kongs filled with peanut butter! He is quite clumsy, loooves chasing birds, and always has to have the last word (we’re working on it 😂😅) He is the sweetest dog and we are so incredibly lucky to have him ❤️

17/08/2023

Nikki, our talented bubble catcher is really hoping to catch a home soon , is it yours?

Dogs 😁
Cats ❎
Kennel trained ✅
Potty trained ✅
Fun🎉
Smart 🤓
Ready to find her home❤

16/08/2023

Are you looking for a smart, hard working, adult dog? Nikki is past the puppy stage, and fully kennel trained and housebroken. Nikki does well with other dogs but gets a little too interested in cats. She also knows some obedience commands and is quite the entertainer! Adoptions are very slow right now and she's been with us far too long, reach out if you think she may be the pup you're looking for!

26/07/2023

Got sheep?

Nikki is looking for her new home ! This smart girl loves to work for food and has the stamina to join you for an active life! She is a border collie mix so rest assured there is no shortage in the learning ability of this dog. Nikki loves children and gets along well with other dogs. She would not be a good for for a home with cats.

Before we ever laid eyes on Nikki, she lived a sheltered farm life with a family . She came to us fairly underexposed and shut down, unwilling to even go for walks or explore the whole yard. Since then she has come a long ways and enjoys hikes and walks with her foster.

Nikki (known as Asy by her foster) , was returned to us after her adoption for some herding behaviors her adoptive family was unequipped to manage.

Since we would like her next home to be her last home, we are looking for a herding savvy home, or a home willing to work with a trainer to ensure the sucess of her placement.

Due to her herding tendencies we would prefer a home with older children or a savvy adopter, this is open to discussion as she has herding instincts but does not have ill intentions with kids. Reach out if you want to know more !

23/07/2023

Bernie met his new family today, and it was love at first sight 💙😍

Congrats to Bernie and and his new family on all their future adventures together!

Thank you to everyone who expressed interest in this good boy, shared his post, submitted applications, and helped him to his new home.

A special thank you to his previous owner who took such good care of Bernie and showered him with love always. So often in rescue we meet owners who are unable to continue caring for their beloved pets because of changed circumstances out of their control, like health conditions. Our hearts are with you, with no judgment 💙

20/07/2023

Finley had a blast at Frogwarts School of Wizards the past two days helping the wizard campers catch magical creatures!

If you’re looking for an adorable, small, mixed-breed pup who sheds minimally, is great with children, and loves other dogs - Finley might be the fit for you!

20/07/2023

EDIT: We have had a handful of folks interested in Bernie reach out and complete applications already, which is wonderful. At this time, Bernie has a meet and greet this Sunday, and we will be proceeding from there. Thank you for all the love and interest in Bernie!

Are you in need of a lovable stud muffin in your life?? If so, look no further!

This sweet bernedoodle is looking for a new home with lots of love to go around! He’s a young boy who loves walks to the park or laying on the couch for snuggles all day. He does well with other dogs and children. He has not been cat tested, but we could cat test him if you are interested and have cats.

He has been e-collar trained and is potty trained. He is not crate trained. He is also a flight risk and needs some recall training before he’d be safe off leash in a backyard or hiking in the woods… but luckily he has an e-collar foundation already to help with that!

He’s about two years old, up to date on vaccinations, and neutered. He’s 65 pounds.

His current owner is seeking to rehome him due to long-term human medical issues that limit her ability to care for him, sadly. He is being rehomed due to no fault of his own or due to any behavioral issues.

18/07/2023

Finley (right) is STILL looking for her forever home. She is pictured here next to her foster sister, Sprout (aprox 50lb husky mix) for size reference.

Finley is a young dog who gets along well with other dogs, likes kids, and is cat workable. She is spayed, updated on vaccines, and micro chipped. She is also on the smaller side and very likely to stay under 50lbs as an adult at a healthy weight.

Bring this girl home and she's sure to brighten your day with all the love and entertainment a puppy can give.

12/07/2023

Congratulations to Diego(now Hondo) , Sara, and Tyler! Diego has found his forever peeps. We couldn't be more excited for this adoption ❤️🐾 happy tails, Diego!

04/07/2023

Are you looking for a young dog who gets along well with other dogs? Look no further, we have two of them!

Finley is a sweet petite girl who is loved by all who meet her! She'd much smaller than she looks and will likely stay under 50lbs fully grown.

Diego is a heart stealer, too, with his incredible cuddle skills. He can be a rowdy playful puppy when the mood calls for it but is also always game for a snuggle nap with his human.

What are you waiting for? Bring home your new best friend!

03/07/2023

Same day ID tags for your pets collar are available locally in Dubuque at Theisens, Petco, and PetSmart. If you can't do that, do this!

Heres another easy precaution you can take this week. Nobody expects their beloved pooch to run away but those surprise neighborhood fireworks can go off during any potty break.

It's better to take the few minutes and do it and hopefully not need it than to be panicked with no way for anyone to reach you if they find your pet.

Simply write your number on tape, stick it around the collar and back together again. Easy peasy done. So much easier to get back home now.

02/07/2023

Did you meet Diego at our event this weekend ?

This happy boy would love a family to call his own . Diegos' favorite past times include snuggling, making new friends, eating, and exploring nature with his human and dog friends. Send in an application to bring this ray of sunshine home with you!

01/07/2023

Adopted! 🤩🤩🤩 We are so excited for Sid to be joining Brooke and Alec's family! Congratulations!