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The Paws & People Initiative: keeping pets with their people

Paws 4 Ever Joins Spring Fling!

The Paws & People Initiative is joining Unleashed for their first Spring Fling this year! We are so excited to have them!! The Paws and People Initiative strives to keep pets with their people. They are a 501(c)(3) non-profit that was just started this year in March! They are starting their foster program and intend to take in dogs, cats, and other small animals. These foster placements will be for families/individuals experiencing crisis who need temporary placement for their pets while they work through their circumstances. The goal will be reunification with their pets.


The Paws & People Initiative aims to reduce pets in the community from entering or re-entering shelters. They plan to support the community through pet food pantries, offering temporary fostering during times of crisis and hardship, educating the public about adoption, and offering low or no-cost training. The Paws & People Initiative is not so much a rescue, but a lifeline for pet owners when they desperately need it.


They have free educational webinars on their website and resources for training should an owner be considering rehoming their pet due to behavior.


"At Paws & People our mission is to keep animals out of shelters by providing education and support for pets and the people who love them."


Stay up to date with The Paws & People Initiative on their Facebook or Instagram!

Find even more information on their website and shop their merchandise too!


Don't miss the The Paws & People Initiative at

Unleashed's 13th Annual Spring Fling Dog & Cat Fundraiser

Sunday, April 26, 2026

12-6 pm

Koka Booth Amphitheatre


Stay up to date on all things Spring Fling 2026:


 
 
 

Dogs Deserve Better Piedmont - Improving the lives of community dogs in need.

Love Mutts and Cats, too Rescue is coming to Spring Fling 2025!

Dogs Deserve Better Piedmont is all about making life better for dogs who are left tethered, outside, or neglected. Through strong community connections, they devote their time and resources to give these dogs a happier life. Education is another key focus, helping people to better understand how to improve animal welfare.


Black and white dog snigging the camera through a new kennel

In 2019, after witnessing countless tethered dogs in underserved communities in need of help, a group of compassionate, dog-loving volunteers came together to form the NC Chapter of Dogs Deserve Better Piedmont. Initially, their focus was on untethering chained dogs in the area, but it quickly became clear that the need extended far beyond that. In addition to freeing dogs from their chains, the group began facilitating spay and neuter procedures, arranging urgent veterinary care, and finding other ways to improve the lives of neglected dogs in their community.


"We work to ensure the lives of the outdoor dogs are just a bit better any way we can."

In mid-2024, the organization took a significant step forward by transitioning from a chapter into an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) with its own EIN (99-3535120). This shift opened new opportunities that were previously unavailable, allowing them to better serve dogs in Wake, Granville, and surrounding counties. Their reach now extends to Durham, Person, Vance, Franklin, and sometimes even farther! With the establishment of their own Board of Directors, dedicated exclusively to the dogs in the local area, they gained the flexibility to make decisions tailored to the specific needs of the community. The new EIN also streamlined processes for employer-matched funds and introduced additional donation options, including vehicle donations, stock contributions, and estate planning gifts.


DDBP volunteers installing a tarp on a new kennel

When working with dogs, they assess each animal's needs and do whatever they can to help. This includes untethering dogs, encouraging families to bring them indoors, and spending quality time with them. They actively promote spaying and neutering, strongly recommending it to prevent overpopulation and improve the dogs' well-being. If pets are sick or injured, they step in to prevent suffering, arranging veterinary care and assisting with costs whenever possible.



They also support underserved families by providing essentials such as dog houses and elevated beds for comfort. During winter, they supply straw to keep dogs warm, and in the spring, they offer flea and tick preventatives. If a family needs assistance with pet food, they are ready to help. They also perform follow-up visits that allow them to check in on the dogs, offer treats and toys, and ensure the pets have everything they need.


In 2025, Dogs Deserve Better Piedmont helped 390 pets (323 dogs and 67 cats) and 251 families, many receiving assistance multiple times throughout the year. Their work this year includes:

• 172 pets were spayed/neutered

• Provided veterinary care to 308 pets (sick, injured, life-saving surgery, vaccinations)

• Unchained 79 dogs

• Delivered countless basic supplies, (dog houses, food, straw, bowls, and more)


Seeing families care deeply for their pets and strive to provide the best possible life is truly heartwarming for this group. They remain committed to supporting both the dogs and their families in any way they can. You can learn more about their mission on their website!


Follow Dogs Deserve Better Piedmont on Facebook or Instagram to keep up to date!


Love Mutts Rescue


Visit Dogs Deserve Better Piedmont at

Unleashed's 13th Annual Spring Fling Dog & Cat Fundraiser

Sunday, April 26, 2026, from 12-6pm

Koka Booth Amphitheatre


Stay up to date on all things Spring Fling 2026:



 
 
 

Rainbow Rescue and Retreat - Saving Dogs, Cats, and Exotic Pets

Rainbow Rescue & Retreat Joins Unleashed's Spring Fling for 2nd Year!

Please join us in welcoming the Rainbow Rescue & Retreat back to Spring Fling this year!! RR&R is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization dedicated to giving animals a safe place to stay and recover from their situations. They are dedicated to providing sanctuary, rehabilitation, and second chances to animals who often have nowhere else to turn. They focus on animals who need extra time, specialized care, or thoughtful placement — including those with medical needs, behavioral challenges, or long adoption wait times.


Founded on compassion, advocacy, and community care, their mission extends beyond placement:

"We strive to educate, support adopters, and ensure every animal in our care is treated with dignity, patience, and respect."

Rainbow Rescue & Retreat rescues cats, dogs, small animals & reptiles too!


When asked about the past year, this is what Rainbow Recue had to say:


"2025 has been a year of both challenges and meaningful impact for us. While adoptions have slowed across our area, we have remained committed to the animals already in our care — especially those who have waited the longest or require additional medical and behavioral support.


This year, we’ve successfully placed several long-term residents into loving homes, strengthened our foster network, and continued providing sanctuary-level care to animals who might otherwise have fallen through the cracks. Even when placements are slower, our measure of success remains the same: ensuring every animal here is safe, supported, and advocated for.


We’ve also deepened our community connections through events like Spring Fling and local outreach, allowing us to continue raising awareness for animals who deserve more visibility."


Speaking of Spring Fling, here's what they said is their favorite thing about Spring Fling:


"My favorite thing about Spring Fling is the sense of community. It brings together people who genuinely care — about animals, about small organizations, about making a difference. Events like this give our long-term residents a chance to be seen by new eyes, and that visibility means everything. We wanted to participate because even one connection can change an animal’s life."


Adoptable Spotlight


Rainbow Rescue has chosen to highlight Koopa Troopa.


"She is incredibly special to us and truly represents the heart of our rescue. Koopa has been patiently waiting for her perfect match, and events like Spring Fling give her the visibility she deserves. She has so much love to give, and we would be thrilled for more people to learn about her story."


🐾 Meet Koopa Troopa! 🐾
A husky being helped by vets to recover from abuse

This stunning red & white husky was rescued in 2023 after surviving heartbreaking abuse—and now she’s ready to find her forever home! ❤️


Koopa is playful, affectionate, and full of life. She loves adventures, long walks, belly rubs, and splashing in water or mud puddles (you’ve been warned 😂). She’s also a total snuggle bug who could happily watch Moana all day!


She’s brilliant, eager to please, and would thrive with someone active or familiar with working breeds. Koopa attends public events as one of our ambassadors—she’s a fan favorite everywhere she goes!


💖 Koopa’s Perfect Match:

• Active family or adventure buddy

• Secure yard & supervision (classic husky escape artist)

• No small animals

• Either another playful dog or happy as the star of the show

• Someone patient & knowledgeable (or willing to be diligent and taught) about severe PICA


Koopa is spayed, vaccinated, HW-, microchipped, and ready to love big. She has worked through major recovery and rehab—this girl is a survivor with the brightest spirit.


✨ Let’s make this the year Koopa Troopa finds her happily ever after! ✨


📍 Sanford, NC

🐾 Female | Husky | 7/19/21 | 50 lbs

🐶 Dog selective | 🐱 OK w/ slow intro | 🚫 Small animals



More pics of Miss Koopa Troopa


Looking forward, Rainbow Rescue believes:


"Rescue doesn’t survive without community — and the animal rescue world needs you, exactly as you are, in whatever way you’re able to show up.


Maybe that means fostering or adopting. Maybe it means sharing a post, sponsoring a medical bill, volunteering at an event, transporting, or simply advocating for rescue in everyday conversations.


No role is too small. There is no “not enough.” Every share, every dollar, every open door adds up to a life changed.


Rescue can feel overwhelming, but it becomes sustainable when community steps in. There is space for you here — and the animals truly need all of us."


Check out the Rainbow Rescue and Retreat website for more information about them and their mission. Make sure to follow them on their social media accounts, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to keep up with their activities and updates on adoptable pets and the antics of their sanctuary residents.


Visit Rainbow Rescue & Retreat at

Sunday, April 26, 2026

12-6 pm

Koka Booth Amphitheatre


Stay up to date on all things Spring Fling 2026:

 
 
 
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