I have always had a deep rooted sense to help those animals that are unwanted, deemed ugly, too complicated, or otherwise abandoned, due to age, looks, medical needs or otherwise.” – Owner, Sam’s Place Rescue
At the age of 18, I did a photographic exhibit in London of Battersea Dog home, the oldest dog “pound” in the UK. I was able to travel and work alongside the people that worked there and photograph all the unwanted dogs, and how they spend their last days in cold kennels. I remember at that age hurting deeply for all of them, and feeling in my soul that one day I wanted to be able to do something to help dogs like this.
In the early 2000’s, I lived and worked in South Africa with my children. There is an enormous need there both for humans and all animals. We would often go to our local shelters to donate the food, blankets etc. When we had room in our lives for another dog, I explained to my children that we would go to one of our local shelters in Johannesburg and we would look for one dog. Being young children, they were of course wanting a puppy, but I explained that we would take the older, most unwanted dog; that many puppies would find a home, but the older, fearful ones were unlikely to find a home. We ended up coming home with 4 new dogs, that day, and eventually we moved back to the US with 7 dogs!
One of those dogs was Sam – a medium sized little mutt with a character of a 1000 dogs mixed in. My son Cameron picked her, and they were true soul mates. They matched energy levels, exuberance in every day of their lives, and loved everyone.
In 2013 my son Cameron died in single motor vehicle accident while driving in extremely bad weather. My world was shattered and my universe altered. Sam was with us for another 10 years after Cam passed, and lived to be 17. When she had reached her final days it felt like I was losing Cam all over again. We chose the name “Sam’s Place” to honor them both and keep their spirits with us.
The desire to help those who can’t help themselves stayed with me from my early years.”
In 2019, the idea started to grow in my heart to build somewhere where we could give older, or unwanted dogs a chance to rest and feel loved in a home like environment. I saw many shelters that were filled to capacity, doing the very best they can with what they have, but it is an overwhelming environment for most animals, let alone those that are old or sick. Many older dogs were surrendered to them due to owners passing away and family members not being able to take care of them. I wanted to provide a final home for those dogs. In addition, I wanted to help other rescues who had dogs that need fostering, a little extra medical care, or training, and work with them to eventually re-home those dogs, or give them their final home.
This is how Sam’s Place got started … as a feeling in my heart for so many years, that grew slowly until I could put the plan in action. During the design and building, I was supported by my husband and by my co-founder Tina, along with Destiny and Carrie. Together they are “my village” that have worked incredibly hard to provide this home like setting for any small dog to feel safe and loved. Their support, encouragement, ideas and love for this mission has made all of this possible.
