Leverett Dog Rescue Finds Homes for Over 2,000 Dogs Amid National Shelter Crisis
Better Together Dog Rescue in Leverett, Massachusetts, is making urgent breakthroughs in the nationwide homeless dog crisis, having saved and rehomed more than 2,000 dogs since its founding in 2021. The organization continues to battle overcrowded shelters across the U.S., rescuing dogs from high-stray areas like Cleveland, Texas, and Nashville, Tennessee, delivering them to western Massachusetts for adoption.
Founder Jenny Franz leads a lean staff of just three paid employees and a large volunteer force that currently fosters about 30 dogs. Volunteers frequently make trips to Texas to provide hands-on support by delivering food, medical care, and supplies through the Forgotten Animals of Cleveland Texas program.
From Southern Shelters to Forever Homes in Massachusetts
The rescue’s operational model involves transporting dogs from crowded shelters in Texas and Tennessee to Massachusetts. Upon arrival, each dog receives a veterinary exam and undergoes a mandatory 48-hour isolation period before moving into foster care or adoption. Franz highlights this “boots on the ground” effort as a volunteer favorite and a critical part of their mission.
“Our volunteers love being part of the entire journey — from rescue and medical checks to seeing these dogs head to their forever homes,” Franz said. The organization also works closely with local Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospitals in Springfield, West Springfield, and Deerfield to assist regional dogs in need.
Many of these rescues are deployed at prominent community events like the Springfield PetSmart, pride marches, local farmers markets, and breweries — increasing visibility and speeding adoptions.
Fostering Saves Lives, Opens Shelter Space Nationwide
Volunteers such as Austin Urkiel and his wife play a vital role in fostering, taking in an average of three-week stays per dog. The couple has fostered 22 dogs and adopted two through Better Together, explaining that fostering “saves two lives” by freeing shelter space and providing dogs temporary care.
Kayla Blair, volunteer coordinator and frequent foster, describes the transformation she witnesses firsthand: “You can literally see stress lift from dogs when they leave the kennels and start living in homes. It’s powerful to watch.”
A poignant example is Gerry, a dog with Megaesophagus who requires specialized care including a custom feeding chair to manage his condition. Stories like Gerry’s underscore how Better Together nurtures dogs with special needs toward stable futures.
Community Backing Fuels Expansion of Rescue Mission
Franz expressed deep gratitude for the warm reception from Leverett residents and wider western Massachusetts communities. “Since opening, the community’s embrace has been overwhelming and essential to our success,” she said.
Team member Sydne Didier added, “Community feedback is universally positive. We’re now recognized as true helpers for homeless dogs across the region.” Didier emphasized the emotional reward behind the work: “Even if you can’t change the whole world, you can save a single dog and transform lives — that’s just as meaningful for humans as it is for the dogs.”
What’s Next for Better Together Dog Rescue
Better Together Dog Rescue continues to expand its reach and impact at a pivotal moment when animal shelters across the country face swelling homeless populations. Their proven model blending out-of-state rescue, community volunteerism, and local care offers a replicable path forward for California and the rest of the U.S. dealing with similar shelter crises.
Those interested in adopting or fostering dogs can connect with Better Together at local community events or through their website, where they spotlight adoptable dogs and volunteer opportunities.
This urgent animal welfare story exemplifies how small but dedicated organizations are providing immediate relief to nationwide shelter overflows and connecting thousands of dogs with second chances — a story California readers can rally behind as shelters here face growing challenges.
