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Blazin' Trails Bottle Babies - dedicated to rescuing and nurturing orphaned neonatal puppies

Paws 4 Ever Joins Spring Fling!

Please help us give a warm welcome to a group joining us at Spring Fling for the first time, Blazin' Trails Bottle Babies! This nonprofit organization is dedicated to rescuing and nurturing orphaned neonatal puppies and finding them loving forever families when they reach an adoptable age. Keep reading to learn about the 24-hour-old puppy that inspired their mission.


Blaze the terrier mix as a newborn puppy
Blazin' Trails Bottle Babies Inspiration, Blaze

This group was established in January 2024 when founder Shana Sommer came across a newborn puppy, Blaze, while scrolling through social media. Blaze was only a day old and missing his front leg due to his mother chewing it off. Despite having no experience with bottle-feeding puppies, Shana felt called to help. This journey led her to discover the lack of reliable information available with no solid guidance or expert advice tailored to neonatal puppies. Vet after vet turned Shana and Blaze away, saying things like...


“Don’t get too attached.”

“There’s nothing we can do.”

“I’m not comfortable treating this puppy.”

“Sometimes they aren’t meant to survive.”



"Blazin’ Trails isn’t just a rescue—it’s a community united in giving even the most vulnerable puppies a fighting chance."

This tiny puppy was the catalyst for the start of something amazing. Shana built a dedicated team, and with their support, began compiling the knowledge and resources necessary to save these fragile puppies. Together, they built a foundation of specialized care so that puppies like Blaze would have a real, fighting chance at life.


Blaze the small terrier mix at almost two years old
Blaze, who turns 2 this July!

Why adopt from Blazin' Trails Bottle Babies? Well, let us tell you! Every single puppy in their care is nurtured with love and care. Adopting from Blazin' Trails means you're getting more than just a pet. You're adopting a lifelong family member who has been given the best possible start at life. Each puppy receives comprehensive care, ensuring they are fully vetted and ready to join your family. They are also socialized through foster homes, where they begin socializing with people, dogs, and environments and are introduced to crate training, potty training, and basic manners. The support from Blazin' Trails doesn't end at adoption either. Their team will be there for you to offer guidance and answer any questions as your new puppy settles into their new life.



"When you adopt from Blazin' Trails, you’re not just gaining a pet - you’re saving a life. Your adoption makes room for the next fragile puppy to be rescued and nurtured. Adopting is a compassionate choice that gives a puppy a loving home and a second chance at life."

Stay up to date with Blazin' Trails Bottle Babies on their Facebook or Instagram!


You can also learn more or apply to foster/adopt on their website.


ADOPTABLE PUPPIES!

Currently available puppies as of 3/23/25. See Blazin' Trails website for details.



Don't miss meeting Blazin' Trails Bottle Babies at

Unleashed's 12th Annual Spring Fling Dog & Cat Fundraiser

Sunday, April 13, 2025, from 12-6 pm

at Koka Booth Amphitheatre!!


Stay up to date on all things Spring Fling 2025:


 
 
 

Doxie by Proxy - Short on Legs, Long on Moxie!

Doxie by Proxy Logo Banner

Doxie By Proxy is a foster home-based rescue that is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming dachshunds and dachshund mixes in North Carolina. Back again for Spring Fling 2025, they always enjoy meeting new faces and have successfully matched many adorable dachshunds and "doxie's by proxy" with fosters and adopters at this event.


Doxie by Proxie Founder and President, Alison Schwartz holding her dachshund mix
Alison Schwartz, Founder and President

This dachshund rescue group was formed in January of 2019 out of a passion for both rescue and the dachshund breed. The hardworking rescuers involved with Doxie by Proxy have over 50 years of combined rescue experience and work tirelessly to help dachshunds, focusing their efforts on dogs in North Carolina.


Once a dog is taken in, they are a part of Doxie by Proxy for life! That means that no matter what, that dog has a place with them if they need it. They prioritize helping dachshunds in shelters since they are at the highest risk but will also accept owner surrenders if they have foster homes available.


"Many fellow rescuers often tease Alison for taking heavily mixed “short legged, long bodied” dogs from the shelter that she refers to as “doxie’s by proxy” — thereby naming her organization after her known habit for being a sucker for some dogs in need that are not necessarily her breed but all the same in need of rescue!"

Whenever possible, Doxie by Proxy tries to help owners work through the issues that are leading them to consider surrendering their pet. They have plenty of experience to draw on and encourage people to reach out to a trainer when needed in an effort to keep pets in loving homes and prevent them from coming into rescue.


Stop by their booth and say hello while you browse through their koozies and t-shirts!


You can also keep up with Doxie by Proxy on their website and their social media channels: Facebook and Instagram.


ADOPT ME!

Currently available doxies (as of 3/22/25)



Visit Doxie by Proxy at

Sunday, April 13, 2025

12-6 pm

Koka Booth Amphitheatre


Stay up to date on all things Spring Fling 2025:

 
 
 

Paws4Ever is About Pet Adoption and So Much More

Paws 4 Ever Joins Spring Fling!

Welcome to a group joining us at Spring Fling for the first time, Paws4Ever! This group was established in 1962 as the Animal Protection Society of Chapel Hill. Undergoing a couple name changes over the years, they became Paws4Ever in 2008 to best reflect their mission.

"Our current name and its tagline, “Adopt, Care, Train.” brings focus to the core areas of service that continue to make our whole community a progressive leader in the humane treatment of animals."

When asked what excited them about Spring Fling and why they wanted to attend, they said:


"We are excited to join other pet-related groups to share more about our organization with the Raleigh area!"

Most of their adoptable animals come from local county shelters. In addition to adoptions, Paws4Ever also has several programs to aid pets in the community and the people who love them for the lifetime of the pet. One is training! You can find information about group classes as well as individual lessons, workshops, and virtual consultations on their website. They also have a short hiking trail and a dog park available for those who register to use it. For those who need to rehome their pet but don't want them to go into a shelter, they offer help in the form of tips and articles on safe ways to do that as well as a section on their website dedicated to advertising those pets.


"Paws4ever is dedicated to creating and growing lifetime relationships between pets and people through adoption, training, education & care."

Another great and fairly unique program of theirs is Legacy Care. In this, people can register their pet to enter a home-like environment at Paws4Ever in the event that they outlive their person. These pets do not enter a shelter or shelter-like environment! They are housed in a specific Legacy Care building or in a foster home until a new home is found for them. What a great option for those who worry about what will happen to their pet if they are no longer there to care for them!


Goose
Adopt Me!

One of their currently adoptable dogs is Goose, pictured here! He has been with the rescue since October 2023 and has been living in shelters most of his life. Goose is a great size, right around 50lbs. He's a goofy, playful, lively boy who loves squeaky toys, blueberries, hiking and belly rubs! He will roll on his back any time he wants one! He loves to hunt small critters so needs to be in a home without small animals. He also likes plenty of space when playing with toys or eating, so we recommend a home without small children.

Adopt Goose!
Adopt Me!

You can read more about Goose and see if you might be the right fit for him on his profile page, here.


You can check out all the Paws4Ever pets for adoption, learn more about their programs, and keep up with Paws4Ever on their website and be sure to follow their socials as well: Facebook and Instagram.





Don't miss meeting Paws4Ever at Unleashed's 12th Annual Spring Fling Dog & Cat Fundraiser on Sunday, April 13, 2025, from 12-6 pm at Koka Booth Amphitheatre!!


Stay up to date on all things Spring Fling 2025:


 
 
 
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