Rita Benavidez, founding father of Hank’s Hostel Fur Hounds canine rescue, is a uncommon individual whose coronary heart embraces the neediest canines. Hank’s Hostel is a rescue and sanctuary for disabled and senior canines, the place they’ll dwell out their lives ceaselessly and obtain particular care and an entire lot of affection.
The Coronary heart of the Matter
Rita based the rescue and sanctuary in honor of her beloved canine, Hank, who has since handed. Rita says,
“I couldn’t perform when my father handed away. Couldn’t get off the bed, didn’t need to. However Hank introduced me again. He actually gave me my life again. I needed to get off the bed to take care of him. He needed to exit and play! I’ve a lot gratitude for animals. They’re able to a lot, if people will simply allow them to in.”
Allow them to in, she has. Rita has let in 27 canines, at present in her care, plus one other 4 who’re scheduled to reach quickly. Through the years, she has rescued many, many canines. Some have been adopted out to ceaselessly households, and a few lived out their lives within the care of foster households.
Fifty canines grew to become “lifers,” residing out their lives on the sanctuary earlier than crossing the rainbow bridge. Rita has saved all of their ashes. She has a directive to mingle them together with her ashes and the place to unfold them when she herself passes. Sure, her coronary heart is totally devoted to those canines in her care.
How It All Began
Rita discovered her coronary heart’s want about 9 years in the past when she noticed a Pit Bull in the midst of a avenue in Denver. She feared the canine can be hit by a automotive, so she obtained out of her automotive, blocked visitors, and escorted the canine off the highway. The canine then led Rita to an industrial lot, the place she discovered that he was deserted by a person who had misplaced his lease there. Rita took the canine to an area shelter that mentioned they might take him if she can be a volunteer there. Thus, her true life’s work started.
As a volunteer, Rita witnessed “canine dumping” on a regular basis, and it broke her coronary heart. The shelter couldn’t take care of “specialty” canines very properly — like senior and special-needs canines — due to the additional care they required. So, Rita began to take them house and take care of them. Her first “wheelchair child” was Gabby. Her proprietor had died, and she or he was left on the shelter. Gabby had degenerative myelopathy (DM). Rita cared for her for about 9 months earlier than she handed.
After a few years of bringing senior and disabled canines house, Rita give up her common job to commit herself full-time to the canines in her care. Rita’s good friend recommended that she turn into a bonafide nonprofit rescue. Rita filed the mandatory paperwork in 2013. She additionally opened a licensed cellular canine wash to complement her revenue, however ultimately, as her canine inhabitants grew, there wasn’t sufficient time within the day to proceed with that.
One other side of her work is the creation of Senior Paws for Senior Peeps. This program matches senior residents who need canine companionship however can not afford to pay for veterinary care. So Rita matches a senior individual with a senior canine and pays for any future veterinary care so long as they undergo her rescue vet. Thus, a win-win circle of mutual companionship and care.
Canine Resident Profile
Cap is a disabled canine who exemplifies the work Rita does at Hank’s Hostel. Cap was initially rescued and fostered in Tijuana, Mexico. He was discovered on a roadside by his mom’s aspect; she had been hit by a automotive and died. It’s unclear if Cap was additionally hit by the automotive, however he’s unable to make use of his rear legs.
Cap was going to be euthanized until they discovered a special-needs rescue for him. They contacted Rita, and she or he stepped proper in.
Walkin’ Pets Care Squad donated a Walkin’ Wheels canine wheelchair to Cap so he may expertise freedom and independence (see photograph at high of this publish). Rita says,
“Cap loves his Walkin’ Wheels. It’s best to see him once I say, ‘Wish to get into your chair?!’”
Learn extra about Cap in an article written about his life journey in The Animal Rights and Rescue Advocate (ARRA) web site.
Hank’s Hacienda on the Horizon
Hank’s Hostel Fur Hounds is at present in Englewood, Colorado, the place Rita was born and raised. A lot as she hates leaving it, she wants extra land the place it isn’t fairly so costly. So Hank’s Hostel is shifting to New Mexico and can turn into Hank’s Hacienda for Hospice, Senior, & Particular Care Canines.
The brand new location shall be on seven acres of flat land. Rita plans to create a fenced canine park with astroturf. She has different nice plans for the Hacienda as properly! Whereas she has all the time welcomed and relied on volunteers to assist with the work of the sanctuary, there are revolutionary plans afoot. Rita plans to ask volunteers to dwell in RVs on the brand new property for specified occasions. That might permit volunteers to get a full expertise of life at Hank’s Hacienda, enriching their lives whereas serving to within the work of caring for the canines.
Rescues and sanctuaries for particular wants and senior canines are few and much between. Walkin’ Pets needs Rita a lot success together with her transfer and extends deep gratitude for her selfless work on behalf of the neediest canines.
Please contemplate making a donation to assist Rita in her inspiring work! Sustain with Rita’s upcoming transfer and work on Hank’s Fb web page.
