Paw-some nonprofit shines in Wimberley

WIMBERLEY — The town of Wimberley was once swarming with stray dogs. With this came puppy mills at market days, unregulated dog dumping and individuals selling dogs on street corners.

After moving to Wimberley in 2009, Patricia Davis and Debbie Nordyke discovered the lack of resources available for stray dogs in the town. With the necessary skills from years of working and volunteering at dog shelters and rescues, the pair started the Wimberley Adoption Group & Rescue (WAG).

At the time, there was a service available for stray cats, but nothing for the canines of the area. The stray dog epidemic was only worsened by the lack of animal ordinances in the city, explained Jana Kennon, WAG board and fundraiser committee member.

WAG is a rescue, meaning that it  does not euthanize animals. Its mission statement is “to come to the aid of abandoned, unclaimed, surrendered and shelter dogs and puppies in and around the Wimberley area and nearby Central Texas communities.”

Throughout the almost 15 years of service, WAG has established relationships with local shelters to determine which dogs should be rescued. Typically, it takes in animals who are ill or need to be rehabilitated prior to adoption.

WAG is a dog-focused rescue and works to provide all of the support it can for its animals. This includes after they are initially adopted. For example, if a resident chooses to adopt through WAG, the nonprofit provides a voucher for low-cost or no-cost spay and neuter programs or provides crates, dog food and more to those who choose to foster.

“We really need fosters because a foster home can provide more stability and a quieter atmosphere for a dog to kind of get over whatever it’s been through in its journey through a shelter or our rescue,” said Kennon. “[A foster] can also free up a place at the shelter for maybe a dog that needs more hands-on attention or if it has medical problems.”

She also explained that fostering could lead the resident to a best friend.

“I’m a foster-fail two times over and I just feel like these dogs, for the most part, really appreciate, understand and are so grateful once they’ve gotten into a home and acclimated. It’s just a wonderful thing to see,” she said.

Kennon stressed that it is important for the community to support its local services due to the number of stray dogs that have appeared in Wimberley.

“I think that [in] this particular area, especially this summer, I’ve seen so many [dogs] on Nextdoor, saying ‘stray dog.’ I think there’s a real problem here and I think adopting a dog from a rescue is such a win-win because you’re saving its life and you’re giving it a second chance,” said Kennon. “We want to do what we can for our dogs in our community.”

To support the rescue, WAG holds a number of events, but its biggest fundraiser will happen from 5-8 p.m. on Oct. 15. This year, the WAGala will be hosted at Prima Vista Event Venue in Wimberley and will consist  of a silent auction, a live auction, a raffle for a chance to win gift certificates and gift baskets, a buffet dinner and more.

“It’s a lot of fun. It’s a nice chance for us to meet the people that keep us going,” Kennon said.

Residents can purchase tickets at www.wimberleywagrescue.org/wagala-tickets.

Another way community members can support the organization is through the thrift store, Treasures on Twelve. Residents can donate items to be sold or shop at the store. All proceeds go toward aiding the dogs.

WAG also holds adoption events throughout the year and regularly attends market days to supply information for community members.

Currently, the nonprofit is working on expanding its property in Driftwood in hopes of helping as many dogs as possible. WAG has added amenities such as a standalone nursery, a healing house for dogs with contagious diseases and obtained a generator for ice storms.

For more information, visit www.wimberleywagrescue.org.