Adopting A Long Stay Shelter Dog
One Dog Mom’s Mission To Give Long Stay Shelter Dogs A Better Life
The Long Stay Project
Meet Amanda Jo. The woman who’s project (and instagram page @thelongstayproject) captivated my heart, and inspires me to be a better dog mom and dog advocate. Located in Central Texas, she’s known as “the one who always posts about dogs for adoption.” This is her favorite compliment, as helping dogs find their fur-ever homes is a passion of hers.
Her journey began when she stumbled across a code red post about a local animal shelter requiring donations, adopters, volunteers, etc. Animals in need? Say no more! Like the super woman she is, she packed up her Nissan Sentra to the brim 3 times picking up donations within the community. Less than a day later, she was creating bios and pictures for dogs who’ve been looking for a home for 6+ months. Amanda Jo has been volunteering at the Lockhart Animal Shelter ever since.
The Long Stay Project is not a shelter or rescue, but a platform for dogs who have lost their voice and gotten lost in the system. While LSP isn’t personally sheltering these animals, it connects dogs to their families in the way relationships many relationships these days begin - through social media. Amanda Jo keeps her pages updated with the bios of these rescues, and even shares the amazing news when they finally take their ride to their new homes!
This seems like a good place to plug our foster doggos looking for homes, so make sure you check out Pop, Shasta and Gabe as soon as you’re finished reading this article!
Within a few short weeks of starting the Long Stay Project, Amanda helped 6 long stay dogs find their homes. Rambo, a 7 year old lab and shepherd mix had been at the shelter for 1,034 days, and finally found a home with Amanda’s help. One thousand and thirty four days. Let that sink in. Knowing she was making a difference, Amanda Jo felt like she had finally found her calling.
Besides posting online, Amanda Jo also devotes her time IRL to these pups in need. She sits in their kennels, takes adorable selfies with them, and brings them out on adventures. Amanda Jo emphasizes understanding the dog’s personality, building trust, and exposing them to a life outside of the shelter. Some of her favorite activities to do with these pups include car rides, farmer’s markets, parks, and getting them pup cups as a special treat! Her one on one time with these dogs helps her develop a profile to match them to their perfect family.
Amanda Jo is an amazing rescue dog advocate, and is here to remind us that long stay does not mean broken. The Long Stay Project is her way of giving back, advocating for the overlooked and misunderstood, and finding these dogs the loving home they deserve.
Follow her on instagram at @thelongstayproject, and Facebook at The Long Stay Project.
If you’re not currently able to adopt - please help share these dogs stories. She keeps the instagram page up to date with the available dogs and their bios!
If you know a cause like Amanda Jo’s that needs support and helps benefit dogs in need. Reach out to us at Thedogmapack.com!
