Long Island Shetland Sheepdog Rescue Makes Its Mark

Alicyn Leigh 02/16/2005

Long Island Press

LISSR helps to find homes for hundreds of shelties, like Copper, a deaf sheltie who learned sign language.  In 1995, Bernadette Olsson Bay, president of the local sheltie club (Long Island Shetland Sheepdog Fanciers) began noticing that there were many abandoned and unwanted shelties showing up in local municipal animal shelters.

These dogs were usually either turned in or found abandoned in the street.  Sometimes, people would call Bay, asking if there was anyone available to take their shelties, due to reasons like changes in family situations.  After personally rescuing and re-homing many of these shelties, she decided to ask members of the club if they would like to take on this task as a club function.  Long Island Shetland Sheepdog Rescue (LISSR) was born.

Bay, along with fellow club members Karen Hoffman and Arlene Pace, began officially rescuing shelties under the LISSR name in October of 1997.  Since then, the group has rescued and re-homed 220 shelties in the LI area.

“When the founding members of the organization moved off of Long Island, I took over the coordination and general organization of the rescue group,” explains Barbara Bellini, president of LISSR.  “Our membership has now grown and we can put our efforts into rescuing more shelties.”

A Shetland Sheepdog is a very special canine breed.  These dogs are known for be loving, loyal, affectionate, sensitive and responsive toward their owners, but they may be reserved toward strangers.  In general, shelties make great family pets.  They can be very active or playful, or they can be just as happy cuddling with you while watching TV.  They are also very much in tune with their owners’ moods.  But there are a few important facts that one should know before they consider adopting this type of dog.

“Some shelties exhibit some rather unusual behaviors, and if one is not aware, they can be somewhat alarming,” Bellini explains.  “Since shelties are a herding dog, the related behaviors can be chasing moving feet, brooms, mops and vacuum cleaners.  Training can help to overcome these traits.  Most shelties love to bark and some shelties talk to their people in whines, grunts, groans, and even quiet growls, especially when being petted.”

As Bellini states, the sheltie is a herding breed, so they do need exercise of both the mind and body.  A bored sheltie can get into big trouble.  Shelties also need a lot of exposure to different people and places when they are young, so that they become used to strangers and loud noises.  Shyness is a problem in shelties if not socialized properly.

As with every not-for-profit animal rescue organization, raising funds is always tough.  “We do require a donation to help offset vet bills,” says Bellini.  “Before a sheltie is adopted he/she is brought up-to-date with shots, is spayed or neutered and then micro-chipped.  Any health issues are addressed, too.”

LISSR holds a popular annual fundraising holiday party, and adopters look forward to it because they get to show everyone how well their new best friend is doing.

“Our volunteers enjoy seeing their foster dogs after they have settled in with their new family,” Bellini says.  “At this function we sell dog-related items to raise additional funds to support our rescue efforts.”

Recently, LISSR was faced with a very unique rescue situation.  A sheltie named Copper, which came to the group from a local animal shelter, was deaf.  Copper was fostered by member Marion Hansen, who taught him sign language and worked on his social skills.  After two to three months of working with him LISSR felt he was ready for his “forever home” and the search began for that special person.  Copper’s new family was found in North Carolina.  Marion and her husband drove Copper to Virginia, where they met up his new adopted family.

“Copper now lives with a wonderful family who are continuing his training in obedience and agility,” Bellini shares.  “He will eventually become a therapy dog to bring love to people in nursing homes and hospitals.  In Copper’s situation, we had to find a home that could deal with a deaf dog and all the issues involved in training a deaf dog.  Although that perfect home was far away, we try to always do what is in the dog’s best interest.”

So while engaged in the ongoing effort of creating awareness, LISSR continues to work hard to help its favorite breed, having unwanted shelties vet- checked, neutered/spayed and evaluated, fostering these dogs in their homes while attempting to match them with the right family.  It’s a tireless job and help is always welcome.

“We need the public to help by making donations or even joining our group to help with fostering, transportation or fundraising,” Bellini says.