Who would’ve known eavesdropping on a conversation would lead to meeting your best friend and creating a non-profit focused on helping dogs? In 2001, Donna Bernado was publishing photos and contacting people to get as many dogs as she could out of local shelters. When they were volunteering in a feed store, Tera McCurry overheard Bernado’s conversation with another volunteer about helping dogs get adopted and decided to interrupt. “The greatest relationship of my life was born that day,” McCurry said.
Bernando and McCurry went on to found Doggie Protective Services, or DPS Rescue, a non-profit and volunteer-driven animal rescue organization that helps dogs find their forever homes. When they first published their website in 2008, it crashed within two days due to overwhelming interest.
Stationed at 809 San Antonio Road, Palo Alto, DPS partners with around 30 local and international shelters, including those in Korea and China, to rescue as many dogs as possible and find them homes. With the help of a caring community of volunteer foster homes, every dog can enjoy a family experience prior to their adoption. The dogs never feel neglected, thanks to an amazing community of high school student volunteers who show them an abundance of love and care.
Within 15 years, DPS has been able to get over 20,000 dogs adopted into families. McCurry noted that in recent years, however, adoption rates have been decreasing. She explained that after the pandemic, people began bringing dogs back to shelters because they lacked the time and energy to care for one. “The adoption rate has decreased 40% this year,” McCurry said.
The U.S. was on track to becoming a no-kill nation and spaying and neutering were becoming more popular in 2019. COVID-19 slowed this progress as the number of animals entering shelters has continued to slightly increase each year since the pandemic. Now, in 2024, unspayed and unneutered dogs and the rising prices of owning a pet are leading to more animals in shelters. DPS has put in countless hours and effort in helping all the dogs they can with the help of high school volunteers.
Many volunteers at DPS leave with unforgettable memories, knowing they are a key reason why so many dogs can find their forever homes. “It’s really fulfilling to be able to help these dogs and connect with people,” Vivien He, a high school volunteer, said.
Volunteers also leave with more than just cherished memories–they also gain a new family member for themselves. “I have a dog myself, and I actually got him from DPS. So I think this is a great experience, retouching how I found him, but in a way where I can help other people.” Chloe Yu, another high school volunteer, said.
DPS wouldn’t be able to place as many dogs as they do without the help of student volunteers. “Every volunteer brings something different to the table. They use their skills and passion to save animals,” McCurry said.
“I love that our rescue has this powerful force of high school students doing great things,” she added.
Volunteers who go off to college still call to ask about the rescue’s progress. DPS is more than just a place for helping dogs, it’s a vibrant community of people united by their love for animals.
