July 2025: When 421 Dogs Finally Took Their First Breath of Freedom 🐾

Picture this: you’re miles away from a puppy mill property on a hot Texas morning, and you can’t go inside—the owners won’t allow it, likely because they know what you would see and report. You can’t see the kennels, but the condition of the dogs, the way they move and react, makes it painfully clear: this is nothing but an overcrowded puppy factory, hoarding hundreds of dogs of all ages and breeds. 🐶💔

It makes you wonder—why would anyone purchase a dog from a place run without care, pride, or excellence, when the price tag they put on these dogs is the only “value” they acknowledge?

When the first shuttles of dogs arrived, relief washed over them instantly. Their eyes softened, tails tentatively lifted, and their first steps toward comfort began. 💨💛

Some of these pups had never felt a soft bed or cool air before today. Can you imagine that? 🛏️❄️ Some of them only wanted to be held and comforted. 

For six hours, our team rotated shuttles, managed transport delays, and made sure every dog stayed cool, hydrated, and safe 💧. Our fosters back in the Metroplex were updated constantly, ready for the moment these lives arrived in their care. By 4 p.m., three hours later than planned, dogs were shuffled to their foster homes—and the real work began. 🏡

Often times mill dogs haven’t experienced home life. No potty training 🚽. No leash walks 🦮. No one-on-one attention 🤲. Many take days—or weeks—before they trust a human touch. Sometimes healing starts with the tiniest gestures—offer the back of your hand, squat down to their level, keep your body turned slightly away, and let a pup sniff you. Slowly, they learn you’re safe. ✋🐶

Our fosters have poured in the work. They have nurtured, socialized, trained, and loved each dog through every small step. That’s why fosters get first dibs on adoptive families—because they’ve seen the magic happen firsthand. 💙

We didn’t do this alone. Partner rescues across the country stepped up, transport teams worked tirelessly 🚚💨, and Cuddly provided kibble 🍲 for our suddenly massive foster network. From Alabama to New York, Texas to the Northeast Coast, organizations like Angie’s Dog House, Ranger’s Reach, S.N.A.R.R. Animal Rescue, Who Rescued Who, CH Boxer Rescue, Forgotten to Be Spoiled Rotten, Cavalier Rescue USA, and Herding Home Rescue were all part of this massive effort. Every donation, every volunteer hour, every kind word—you made this freedom possible. 💛

🐾 Every bag of CUDDLY food purchased gives back to NTASR!

🐾 Choosing a Dog: Patience Pays Off

We get it—sometimes it feels easier to just get a puppy than wait for the right fit. But here’s the truth: the easiest choice isn’t always the best one. Responsible dogs come from environments where their health, socialization, and happiness come first—not profit.

A truly responsible breeder will:

• Let you see where the dogs live 🏡

• Let you meet the puppy’s parents and review their health records 📋

• Make sure the puppies have been exposed to people, sounds, and other animals 🐾

• Teach foundational skills, like pottying outside and basic manners 🚪

• Provide lifetime guidance and support ❤️

Papers or registration alone don’t guarantee a dog was raised ethically. Lineage doesn’t replace love, proper vet care, or socialization. And here’s the bigger picture: millions of dogs are waiting in shelters right now. Choosing adoption helps fight the pet overpopulation crisis and gives a dog a second chance at life. Every adoption opens a spot for another dog in need. And responsible pet ownership doesn’t stop there—spaying and neutering your pets is critical to preventing more unwanted litters. 🐶💛

💌 We’d love to hear from you: Have you ever chosen adoption or waited for a responsible breeder—and felt it was worth it? SHARE with your community, tell your story and tag US! @ntxaussie 

🐾 Share Your Love Story + Help More Dogs

You + your rescue pup = a LOVE STORY the world needs to hear. 🐶💘

@PetcoLove is giving away up to $100,000 in lifesaving funds to rescues and shelters (that’s a lot of vetting, toys, food, and helping paws!)—and all you have to do is share how your NTASR dog changed your life. 🐾✨

Deadline: September 29
Perks: Help more Aussies and maybe win some goodies for you and your floof! 🏆

Here’s how to share your story:
1️⃣ Go to petcolove.org/lovestories
2️⃣ Share your story & photos about how your NTASR pup changed your life
3️⃣ Submit online before Sept 29
4️⃣ Optional (but highly encouraged!): Post your story on social media & tag @ntxaussie & @petcolove #lovestories

Let’s make those adoption glow-ups go viral. 📸 Watching these pups thrive because of your love is what makes all the tough rescue days worth it—so don’t hold back. We want to celebrate YOU and your amazing pup! 

🐾 Rescue Spotlights: Fighters of July
Daisy, Layla, and Amelia each arrived in rescue carrying stories of neglect, fear, and trauma—but thanks to your support, they’re learning love for the very first time. 💖

• Daisy survived a deadly infection after a lifetime as a puppy-making machine.

• Layla is discovering trust and comfort after years of neglect.

• Amelia is healing from trauma and learning that humans can be safe.

Every donation, every foster, every adoption makes these transformations possible. Keep them in mind on NTX Giving Day, Sept 18, and help more pups get the care they desperately need. We will be sending out their stories in the coming weeks leading up to NTXGD. 

BIG Event: NTASR x Cuddly Block Party 🎉

If freedom day was our biggest rescue moment, the Block Party was our biggest celebration in July. Puppies in a ball-pit 🏀, bubbles floating through the air 🫧, a glitter-and-balloons selfie station 📸🎈, a Cuddly bandana-making table 🧣, tattoos… and adoptable dogs galore 🐕💛.

Big thanks to Cuddly and The Barkday Planner for throwing a PAWTY that put smiles on every face 😍. Fosters networked with potential adopters, and many dogs got the exposure they desperately needed. Watching shy pups explore the ball pit and bubbles? That little bit of fun, paired with gentle encouragement from their handler, goes a long way toward helping them trust humans for the very first time. 🐾💕 

We’re thrilled to be one of the select few rescues benefiting from Cuddly’s brand-new kibble program! Not only are our foster dogs enjoying it in their foster homes, but every bag purchased gives back to NTASR—helping us cover critical vet care for the dogs who need it most.

Even better, our adoptive families get to take home a 5lb bag of the same food their new family member has already been eating and loving. It makes for a smooth, stress-free transition into their forever home.

Our crew currently dines on the Salmon blend (and they’ve made it very clear it’s a hit—dinnertime excitement has hit a whole new level!), but we’ve heard whispers that more flavors are on the way.

🐾 Every bag of CUDDLY food purchased gives back to NTASR!

Missed the Block Party? Don't worry this next paw-ty is EVEN BIGGER, DOG DAY 2025! 

Events & Fundraisers: 

🎉 Dog Day 2025 is Back — and Bigger Than Ever!

Join us for the ulti-mutt celebration hosted by The Barkday Planner and presented by Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) — honoring National Dog Day and giving back to rescues like NTASR and Live Like Roo Foundation.

Sunday, August 24 · 12 - 4:30pm
Dog Day 2025
💥 Cake-eating contest
🎯 Dog Day Pong
🍸 Signature cocktails
🛍️ Vendor marketplace
🎨 Real tattoos for a cause (25% goes to NTASR!)
📸 Photo ops, pup massages, and more

And the best part?

100% of ticket proceeds go to:

❤️ North Texas Australian Shepherd Rescue – supporting herding breeds across North Texas

💛 Live Like Roo Foundation – helping families navigate canine cancer with love and support

🐾 Come celebrate the bond we share with our dogs — and help us save more lives.
You bring the pup. We’ll bring the party. 🧡
🎟️ Get your tickets here!

🎉 Unleash the Fun for You and Your Pup!
From tropical getaways and axe-throwing to escape rooms, museum adventures, and BarkBox, our auction has unforgettable experiences for the whole family—including your furry friends! Score big with RetrievAir vouchers, give your dog a staycation at The Pup Shack.
🐾 Bid now to make memories that matter while supporting our rescues!

Craving more NTASR shirt styles to show off your rescue love? We’ve got you covered (literally)! Check out our growing collection of NTASR swag—because one shirt is never enough when you're reppin' the floof squad! 🐾🧡
NTASR Swag

July in Numbers:

Number of Dogs in Care	86
Total Intake	58 + 421 Puppy Mill survivors
Total Adoptions	22
Total Donations	$19,104.13
Total Grants	$750
Vetting Expenses	$16,494.96
Total Expenditures	$26,771.13
Loss	$1,051.96

🐾 Save the Date: North Texas Giving Day!

Mark your calendars—Wednesday, September 18 is your chance to make a life-changing impact for rescue dogs! 💙 Every gift helps us provide vet care, food, enrichment, and foster support for dogs who need a second chance.

Your support on NTX Giving Day means more than donations—it means hope, health, and homes for dogs just like our 421 puppy mill survivors, Daisy, Layla, and so many more. 🐶✨

💌 Want to make a difference early? You can schedule your gift starting September 1 here and join us in giving these dogs the lives they deserve.

I wish I could bottle the smell of freedom for those 421 dogs 🫧. Or the way Daisy sighed into her foster’s lap after surgery 💖. Or the moment Layla enjoyed her very first waffle fry, it was lip licking good! 

But the truth is—you made that possible. Every donation, every share, every foster home… it’s rescue magic ✨.

If you read this far, hit reply and tell us:
If you could be the first human to pet one of the July pups, what would you say to them? 💌

Until next month,
💙 Your NTASR Pack 

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NTASR Partners

Thank You for Making July Possible 💛

 

We couldn’t do what we do without our incredible partners and supporters—every single one of you helps change lives. Together, we’re stronger, more effective, and able to reach dogs who desperately need us.

Special Thanks To:

• Uptown Pup - Dallas 
• The Barkday Planner
• Three Dog Bakery - DFW Locations
• Deaf Dogs Rock This amazing organization supports NTASR with the care of our deaf dogs
• Chewy & Chewy Vet Care - McKinney & Alliance keeping our pups healthy and happy 🩺
• Cuddly for feeding our growing foster network 🍲
• Park Place Pet Hospital -  for providing compassionate, ongoing medical care
• VEG ER
• RetrievAir
• Class Axe Dallas
  
• Great Room Escape Dallas
• The Accounting Doctor
• Perot Museum of Nature and Science
• Park Hill Studio
• The Pup Shack TX
• Chicken N Pickle
  
• All our monetary donors and social media supporters—liking, sharing, attending events, and helping us find forever homes 🏡

And of course, our fosters—you’re the heartbeat of NTASR. Your love, patience, and dedication turn scared, neglected dogs into confident, happy pups. 💕

This community is inspiring, and we are endlessly grateful for each and every one of you.

The NTASR Team 🐾

P.S. If you loved what you read, please forward this monthly newsletter and spread the word, they can subscribe to NTASR Woof Wire. NTASR is working hard to save lives of all dogs and advocate for greater change in Texas. 

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We want to hear👂from you!