Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Blog the Change for Animals: CPCRN

Used with permission from CPCRN
This is a very exciting post for me!!  First, because I get to Blog the Change for Animals and second, because I get to shine a spotlight on a cause that I have come to love - Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network (CPCRN).

Most of you know that I am a Cairn Terrier and I have wanted to do something to help CPCRN for a while now...but I just didn't know what to do!  Then , I met (via Twitter) Erin at CPCRN and I asked her if I could include adoptable CPCRN Cairns in my Friday posts and she said "YES!".

Then, being the brave terrier that I am, I asked Erin if I could interview someone about the rescue for this post.  Erin happily agreed and put me in touch with a wonderful lady...and the Board Chairman of Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network, Amy Robinson.

I hope you all will see the wonderful work that CPCRN is doing and come to love them as I have!

And now, without any further ado...An Interview with Amy Robinson, Board Chairman of Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network.

How did CPCRN get started?  What year did the rescue officially start?
Col. Potter began as the result of ONE little Cairn boy (named Col. Potter) that was tragically killed - as donations began to come in, in his honor to some Cairn club members - so many wanted to help - the process began so that the organization was formed (Octover 2001).  Since that time, Cairns or mostly Cairn mixes have been rescued and brought into CPCRN.

Has the mission changed in any way since the founding of the organization?
It truly has not - our priority is still finding Cairns in need of homes, with homes in need of Cairns.

Who runs CPCRN?
We are 100% volunteer run.  Our volunteers, strictly volunteers, are all over the US and even some in Canada.  Our unpaid officers and board of directors are all across the country.  They are:
Danielle Rackstraw - Founder/President - Menifee CA
Amy Robinson - Chairman - Mehoopany PA
Pam Burt - CFO - Harrisville MI
Corinne Herron - Secretary - Savage MD

We have teams for all aspects of the rescue and adoption process.  We have a Home Visit team, Foster Home Team, Contracts Team, Match Maker Team (yes, that is right - matching the right home for the right Cairn), Transport Team, Promotion/Fundraising Team, Communications Team, Medical Team and the first stop for a rescue Cairn, the Intakes Team.

How many volunteer work with the rescue annually and what skills/services do they provide?
Between 200 and 225 - it takes a village.  Administration, communication (phone calls, reference checks, etc), transporting the dogs from point A to point B and beyond, making products such as belly bands for the boys, bandanas, pullovers.  Organization of public education events, shipping our products to our customers...

Is there a need for more volunteers?  Is so, in what area(s) is the need the greatest?
ALWAYS - in all aspects - requiring from 10 minutes a day to 10 hours a week to full time and everything in between.  CLICK HERE for Volunteer Information!

How do you coordinate rescues and volunteers on a national level?
We have many communication tools - from Yahoo Groups (our main means of communication to all our teams, volunteers, intakes) to Facebook (2 pages), Twitter, Pinterest; as well as our main web page at www.cairnrescue.com

How and where do you find the Cairns that need assistance from CPCRN?
There is a link on our website that can be used when someone wishes CPCRN to contact them to help them find a home for their Cairn OR someone reporting a Cairn that is in trouble and needs our help.  CLICK HERE to ask for assistance.

Someone can also email our Intakes Team at THIS EMAIL
(All information available as well as photos should be shared in either matter of contact.)

To date, how many Cairn Terriers and Cairn mixes has the organization rescued?
3,480 - which sometimes boggles the mind.

What do you tell someone if they ask "Why should I adopt a Cairn Terrier"?
First, knowing that a terrier, any terrier, may not be the breed for everyone.  Once they understand the special personality traits of the breed, and determine that they have done their homework (read a book or two, looked the breed up online, etc) and they truly want this breed - we tell them the Cairn is a dedicated, loyal, thoughtful breed that can truly be anything you need/want it to be.  if you want to be a couch potato, so be it; an exercise partner, you have it; a working dog (i.e. therapy, agility, obedience, lure coursing, fly ball...)so be it.  The Cairn can do anything.  They require minimal grooming if maintained and can be clipped professionally or manually by the owner.  They are basically a healthy and hardy breed that will give you 14+ years of love and devotion.

From where does CPCRN's funding come?
Fundraisers (auctions, cookbooks, calendars, ebay sales, Amazon sales), Private donors.  We do not currently have any corporate sponsors.

Do you currently have any fundraising activities/events scheduled for people to participate in?
Currently, we have our Main Web Mall for grooming supplies, toys, etc.  We have a jewelery store, our health care (wormer, etc) and other wonderful items such as our calendars.

Our beautiful cookbook (series of 3) - Volume II and II available.  Volume II is nearly sold out, Volume I sold out in 2004.  They are currently on sale HERE

Our Eclectic Corner for furniture quality products for your dog/home as well as THE BEST fleece pullovers around

Our Ebay Store

Our Amazon Spot

Our Affiliate Stores (companies/individuals that offer a % back to Col. Potter just by clicking their link on our page)

If there is one thing that you wanted more people to know about CPCRN, what would it be?
That we are the best there is because of our volunteers.  That we need more volunteers.  We need help to market our products, build our website up, to get the word out, to educate people that the puppy in the window is from a puppy mill and no matter how their heart strings are tugged - DO NOT SHOP - ADOPT!  That rescue dogs are NOT misfits and they can make your life whole.

___________________________

Thank you Amy Robinson, Board Chairman of Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network, for taking the time to answer my questions.  And thank you to Erin for helping me connect with CPCRN.

This post is part of Blog the Change for Animals where bloggers join together to Be, Blog and Read the change for animals in need.



48 comments:

  1. Oz pal I am so impressed...This is one extremely well-organized rescue...I've been following their Pinterest board for a while now, and love their pins, but hadn't known about all the many activities the group is involved in nor how much hard work they were doing...And the number of Cairns they have assisted is amazing...You are my first Cairn friend so I enjoyed learning more about you...And I am very eager to meet you in pawson cause we've got a lot in common...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Giz!!! I was blown away by the number of Cairns they have rescued in the 12 years they have been working! They are an amazing group of volunteers - dedicated and loyal just like the breed they are intent on helping!

      Delete
  2. Excellent interview! Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm pretty sure that my Tavish is part Cairn too, so I love that you chose this topic today! CPCRN sounds like a wonderful organization, and I hope that your post helps it get some more exposure.

    Really great interview!

    A.J.
    Team BtC4A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you A.J. I so hope that this post can bring some more awareness to what CPCRN is doing nationwide! *paws crossed*

      Delete
  4. Hi Oz!

    Walter the Cairn Terrier here. Thanks for writing about CPCRN! Col. Potter rescued me and my adopted sister Lily Beth so we love CPCRN and all the volunteers. They even sent us blankies when we went to our foster homes and were a little scared. Thanks again for helping Cairns in need. Cairns rock!!!

    Walter (one of Angel's Cairns)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Walter! It's so nice to meet you!! How wonderful that you and your sister were rescued by CPCRN! I bet you have a GREAT forever home.

      I sure hope I am helping CPCRN and all the Cairns that still need to find their forever homes. *paws crossed*

      Delete
  5. What a great tribute to CPCRN. I love cairn terriers, eversince watching the wizard of oz, but had no idea their was a organization specifically for them. Great to know!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kirby!
      Well, gosh...who doesn't love the Wizard of Oz and of course, the hero of the story...Toto!!! Yes, can you believe a whole organization just for Cairn Terriers?! To me, it is very exciting especially seeing how many rescues they have made so far.

      Thanks Kirby!

      Delete
  6. Wow! I've learned a lot about this rescue. What a good job they're doing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sage! I think they are doing amazing things!

      Delete
  7. We are SO honored to be included in your blog, Oz - and we know that just by letting people know we are here - that your cousins that are in the puppy mills waiting to be freed, little lost ones in the shelters, and dear people who want only the best for their Cairns when their life situations change and they can no longer keep their beloved family member - CPCRN is here for them all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my, thank you. *blushes* I hope that my post can help my cousins that need loving homes...I really do. I think what you all are doing is just fabulous! I can't wait to figure out what I can do next to help!

      Delete
  8. Fabulous post! Thank you for sharing this remarkable organization with us!
    Barks and licks and love, Dakota
    www.dakotasden.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Dakota! Hi Miss Caren!
      Thank you for stopping by and leaving a pawprint of support. It is most appreciated!

      Delete
  9. Sounds like a great organization! I love Cairns! They are so cute!

    Thanks for stopping by my Pooch Smooches blog. Happy to "meet" you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We are cute, aren't we?!? And...we can save you from the Wicked Witch too!

      I am happy to meet you too! Thanks for coming by!

      Delete
  10. Hey Oz the Great, Jet here. Hi Miss Gina.

    Oh you did your heritage proud, dude. Great interview to get the info out. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Jet! You really think so?!? Thanks for saying that...I hope I have done them all proud.

      Delete
  11. What a wonderful interview and post Oz!! CPCRN seems like an incredible and busy organization! :-D Great job featuring them!! My Grandma's favorite and most special pup was a Cairn Terrier called Pippa! Since Pippa crossed the bridge many, many years ago, I never met her...but Grandma says she was the greatest pup ever! :-D You Cairns ROCK!! Oh, and I totally support the Don't Shop - Adopt plan!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I support the don't shop, adopt idea too! Oh, I wish you would've met Pippa. I bet you two would have had a blast!!! Thanks for stopping by, my pal!

      Delete
  12. One of my friends in college grew up in a house that bred Cairns, and he helped foster a fondness for them in me (being able to cuddle 4 week old puppies sure helped). Though I know the family personally, I won't be running to buy a Cairn as I would rather go through a rescue organization like this one. I'm so glad to know it exists now, especially since it's so widespread!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, cuddling 4 week old puppies would have made anyone love dogs!!! I hope someday you adopt from CPCRN. You could change a life forever!

      Delete
  13. This is great information! I love these dogs! I'm glad you've been able to help them.

    Christie from lifewithbeagle.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Christie!! I hope I have made a difference!

      Delete
  14. Thank you for sharing about CPCRN with us, Oz! We love Cairn terriers (you included, of course), and are so glad this terrific organization is doing such amazing work to help the breed. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks my great kitty pal!! The organization is doing amazing things and they are all volunteer!

      Delete
  15. Hi Oz, CPCRN girl Ruthie Rose with the purkle toes. I was Lucia before being adopted and moving to NE FL with my Cairn sister Kiara Ann. Cairns rock - haha, that's a play on words because cairn means a "pile of rocks" We were trained to chase vermin into a rock pile so the hunters could capture the nasty critters. We're still pretty good at "going to ground" today, aren't we. For more about adopted CPCRN kids, please visit the post adoption blog at postadoption.blogspot.com. Kiara and I think your blog is super and you are cool dude!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, Ruthie Rose you are too funny! I visit the post-adoption blog every now and again but I will check it out more often!!!! Thanks for your kind words and thank you for visiting me!!

      Delete
  16. Erin OmwakeJanuary 15, 2013

    Love this, Oz and Gina! You have definitely done us proud! Thank you, thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome, Erin!!! Thanks for all your help!!

      Delete
  17. Hi Oz, thanks for highlighting Col.Potter Cairn Rescue!! There are Fortune 500 Company's that could learn a thing or to from them! Their organization is first class all the way!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are pretty awesome, aren't they?!? Thanks for dropping by Terri! It's so nice to meet you!

      Delete
  18. What a great interview. I had one Cairn growing up and he was a very close friend. Glad to know there is a strong breed rescue taking care of them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Bailey! CPCRN is doing a great job for Cairns!

      Delete
    2. Perfect description - a very close friend. They are the best buddies ever.

      Delete
  19. Terrific spotlight on what seems to be a wonderful rescue. I love cairns myself and glad there is a place like this for those happy little guys. Thanks for posting!

    PoochieProject.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are welcome! Cairns are great, aren't we?!? I'm glad CPCRN is around to help them all as well.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  20. Indeed it does take a village, and CPCRN sure sounds like a very organized, efficient, successful one. That's a lot of Cairns adopted out! Kudos!!

    What a fabulous organization - wishing continued great success and many happy forever homes...

    Thank you for blogging the change for animals!
    Kim Thomas
    BtC4A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Miss Kim!
      Thank you for letting us all blog the change for animals! I am so happy I got to participate and spotlight CPCRN!
      Cairn cuddles,
      Oz

      Delete
  21. Hi Oz - thanks for participating in Blog the Change Day! I have a special place in my heart for Cairn Terriers because one of my dearest Twitter friends (@FrugalDougal) was a cairn. CPCRN sounds like a fabulous organization and I'm so glad you highlighted them in your Blog the Change post. Thanks for sharing!

    Vicki Cook
    Team BTC4A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Miss Vicki!
      Thank you for letting me join in Blog the Change! It was great fun hopping around to see what everyone talked about.
      I miss good ole Frugal Dougal. He was a sweet boy!

      Delete
  22. Great post, Oz! Sounds like a wonderful organization AND what a wonderful way to honor Col. Potter. 3,400 is a LOT of dogs - definitely something to be VERY PROUD of!

    Your pal, Pip

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Pip!!! Thanks so much! CPCRN is a wonderful organization and it is amazing how many Cairns they have helped in such a short time.
      *high paws*

      Delete

Thank you for stopping by and leaving a pawprint. I enjoy reading each and every one!
Cairn cuddles,
Oz the Terrier