About Forgotten Paws 🐾

In 1998, Forgotten Paws Dog Rescue became a reality. It started with a few dogs who changed everything—my two little beagle mix girls, Sandy and Sugar, and a one-eyed dachshund/lab mix named Toby. Toby had been adopted and returned several times because of his vision issues. When I found him wandering and learned his story, I couldn’t leave him behind. I went back the next day and adopted him, not knowing that moment would open the door to a lifetime commitment to rescue.

Soon after, I bought my first house and agreed to foster. One foster turned into ten, and when the rescue I was helping dissolved, no one wanted to take on the dogs in my care. Out of frustration (and determination), I decided: “Fine! I’ll do it myself.”

With the help of the internet, I figured out how to get licensed, file for nonprofit status, and run a rescue. For the first ten years, I worked full-time while singlehandedly funding Forgotten Paws. Money was tight, vet bills were constant, and exhaustion was real—but the dogs kept me going.

In the beginning, I was naïve. I let dogs leave adoption events with strangers. I’ll never forget the day Tiger, a sweet chow-shepherd mix, got adopted. Watching him look back at me through the car window broke my heart. I knew then I had to do better. Since that day, no dog has ever left Forgotten Paws without a home visit.

Some people ask why I’m so strict when placing mixed-breed dogs. My answer is simple: to me, a dog is family. Papers don’t matter—every one of them deserves love, safety, and commitment. That’s why we function more like a purebred rescue group. We may not adopt out as many dogs as high-volume rescues, but we focus on quality placements and long-term relationships with adopters.

Now, 26 years later, Forgotten Paws has grown beyond what one person can do. I’ve saved thousands of dogs, endured heartbreak, and said goodbye to beloved sanctuary pups. But I’ve also gained a strong team of volunteers and friends who share the same passion. What was once “I” has become “WE.” Together, we keep going—through the struggles, through the tough days, and through the heartbreak—because the faces of the dogs we save remind us why we do this work.

We know we can’t save them all. But the ones we do save are worth everything.

💜 Thank you for supporting Forgotten Paws, following our journey, and helping us continue this mission. We couldn’t do it without you.