GALT, CA (MPG) - The stress of losing a pet or trying to return a found one can be overwhelming, especially with the nearest animal shelter, Bradshaw Animal Shelter, almost 30 minutes away.

Earlier this year, Brittany Weldon and Rhonda Phillips founded Heart of Galt Rescue after recognizing the need for a local resource for lost and stray dogs in the area. With more than a decade of combined experience fostering dogs and working with rescue organizations, the pair decided to bring that much-needed support here.

The nonprofit organization has already rescued and found homes for 47 dogs, with the goal of placing each one in a loving, permanent home. In addition, they continue to assist and care for dogs currently within the rescue. Every adopted dog is spayed or neutered, microchipped, vaccinated and dewormed before finding their new family.

According to the founders, their mission is to create a supportive, judgment-free community where people can come together to solve problems and access the help, resources and supplies they need.

“Galt doesn’t have an animal shelter and they don’t have many, if any, nonprofit rescues. So we really wanted to tap into that mainly because we saw a need,” said Weldon.

Heart of Galt Rescue focuses on fostering pregnant dogs, new mothers with puppies and orphaned litters, typically smaller breeds due to limited space. Operating entirely from their homes and backyards, Weldon, who resides in Galt, and Phillips, who lives in Lodi, temporarily care for dogs until they are placed in permanent homes.

“When we started our rescue, we decided that in our homes it’s just easier to keep a momma and her babies together until they’re old enough…,” Weldon said. “It’s a case-by-case situation but we just have a soft spot for mommas that don’t have a safe place to give birth.”

 

Heart of Galt Rescue has already rescued 47 dogs so far since beginning the nonprofit organization this year, with the goal of placing each one in a loving home. 

The city contracts with Sacramento County Animal Care Services, which also serves several other communities. That shared coverage leaves Galt with limited animal control services. Weldon also noted that the police department can’t hold any lost dogs or respond to lost dog calls unless there’s a safety concern.

Heart of Galt helps fill that gap, Weldon said, by walking residents through what to do when they find a lost dog, how to file reports, connect with the right agencies and even help make lost dog fliers.

“Even though we might not be able to bring that dog into our rescue, because we don’t have a facility, we can at least educate people and offer resources,” said Weldon. “Sometimes, people don’t know what to do, so we’re looking to help educate the public and be nonjudgmental about it.”

Education is key to Heart of Galt’s work. The nonprofit organization advises individuals on handling strays, encourages spaying and neutering to help reduce the stray population and can direct residents to affordable services.

Running a home-based rescue comes with challenges, from medical expenses and supply costs to managing public expectations. Weldon said that many assume their rescue has a facility and can take in every lost dog but the nonprofit instead connects residents with other reputable rescues while offering education and resources if they can’t assist.

“So we are obviously just two ladies. We’re an in-home foster-based rescue fostering any and all dogs through our rescue within our home,” said Weldon.

Because the organization became recognized as a nonprofit organization earlier this year, it does not yet qualify for county or state grants, so receiving community support is essential.

 

Highway 99 Self Storage manager Jamie Chase, left, and Heart of Galt Rescue cofounder Rhonda Phillips stand in front of the storage facility where a space was donated to the nonprofit organization to help free up room in the founders’ homes where the rescue operates.

Recently, Heart of Galt received help from a local storage facility that provided space to store supplies and free up room in the founders’ homes. After reaching out to several facilities, Weldon said that Highway 99 Self Storage manager Jamie Chase stepped up to offer support.

“We are so grateful to the manager, Jamie at Highway 99 Self Storage, for facilitating this. We truly appreciate your generosity and desire to give back to the community,” said Philips.

Weldon said that kind of generosity reflects what makes Galt special, a community that looks out for one another. She hopes to continue building partnerships with local businesses to expand that support network.

“If small businesses or businesses in general want to reach out to us to support the only nonprofit dog rescue in Galt, we would be very open to that,” said Weldon, explaining that support can come in many forms, such as fundraising events, sponsorships or partnerships that donate a percentage of proceeds to the rescue on certain days.

Because Heart of Galt is a two-person effort run from the founders’ homes while they both work full time, Weldon said help doesn’t always have to be monetary. Donations of services, such as yardwork or maintenance from local landscapers also make a big difference.

“We love how our community comes together for times of need or when they see something good happening, they want to be part of it,” said Weldon.

As part of its efforts to give back, the nonprofit launched a Senior Give Back Program that will help local seniors by sponsoring spay/neuter and grooming services for their dogs.

 

Pictured is Heart of Galt Rescue co-founder and Galt resident Brittany Weldon.

“We know these things can be pricey and believe that those who need our help can still be great pet owners, regardless of their age,” said Weldon.

One local business, Back Alley Brew House, has partnered with Heart of Galt Rescue and Peachy Day Farms Rescue of Herald to host a Pups & Pints Adoption Night at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10 at 215 4th St. Attendees can meet dogs available for adoption and learn more about the rescues’ missions and resources. The event will also feature a doggy costume contest, a raffle and a donation bin for pet supplies.

Those interested in adopting, fostering or donating can also find more information at heartofgaltrescue.com.