It began with a howl at 3 a.m.
Lilia Hollis and her husband, Clay, had just moved into their new home atop Flagpole Hill just a stone's throw from the eastern shore of White Rock Lake in Dallas.
The plaintive howling was from a droopy-eared basset hound who refused to be coaxed inside by the sleepy-eyed newlyweds. Instead, he dashed down the hill, ears flying, to a Shih Tzu puppy crouching in the brush at the side of the lake. The little pup was on the edge of death from mange and staph infections in both eyes. Lilia and Clay adopted both dogs and spent thousands of dollars nursing the Shih Tzu back to health.
What followed was the creation of White Rock Dog Rescue.
That was over 20 years ago. Today, the rescue has become a full-time (unpaid) job for Lilia, an electrical engineer and analisyt. The 100% volunteer-based 501(c)(3) is funded through the love, talent, and donations of its fosters and donors. All funds go directly to food and providing low-cost vet care. The working budget is generated with a scrappy-can-do-attitude fueled by aluminum can drives, puppy parties, adoption events, and online donations.
However, White Rock Dog Rescue is more than a basic animal rescue. Our founder and director, Lilia honors her Hispanic roots by educating the Spanish-speaking community about the importance of serialization and cessation of dog fighting. Our fundraising is not keeping pace with the need.
The Lakewood and Lake Highlands neighborhoods are treasured for their beauty and community pride, but there is a darker side to White Rock Lake. Few people know that the lake is a popular site to abandon litters of newborns or unwanted dogs. It is our mission to continue what Blue the Basset Hound began in the early morning of 2001. Rescue, rehab, and rehome deserted dogs into their forever families.
Our group is very "hands-on." Everyone fosters and works directly with the dogs. We don't rely on dog boarders or kennels and we do all our own marketing. We "will do the work" and make every dollar stretch as far as it can go but we need your help.
Last year, White Rock Dog Rescue received nearly $5,000 from North Texas Giving Day donations. This year, we are hoping for our first North Texas Giving Day matching partner. Please reach out if you want to support our work.
For more information about White Rock Dog Rescue, contact adoptions@whiterockdog.org or 214.507.4016.
Featured in: The Lakewood Advocate & White Rock Lake Weekly.
White Rock Dog Rescue is dedicated to saving abandoned dogs found in East Dallas and around White Rock Lake. We have expanded that mission to assist dogs from shelters and strays from under-resourced areas. We provide community outreach to surrounding areas and provide services to keep families and pets together. We also visit local schools and to impart information about the proper care of family pets and promote empathy for all creatures.
Since Blue rescued Presley in 2001, White Rock Dog Rescue has found homes for over 5,000 abandoned dogs. Every year, we sponsor 20+ major surgeries, fund 40+ heartworm treatments, and nurse hundreds of dogs back to health. We need a steady income stream to supplement our food and daily supplies for fosters. Monthly reoccurring donations would be much appreciated as well as one-time grants.
1) A consistent income stream to fund surgeries and vaccinations.
2) Storage space for food donations and supplies.
3) Granting to allow for long-term planning.
4) Volunteers and fosters. Fostering an abandoned dog is an excellent way for students to earn community service hours.
We love you like your dog loves you. 🐾
Organization name
White Rock Dog Rescue
other names
Dallas Dog Network dba White Rock Dog Rescue
Causes
Animals
Operating Budget
Less than $100,000
Counties Served
Dallas, Collin, Kaufman, Rockwall, Denton
BIPOC Leadership
Executive Director/CEO
Address
9019 Lanshire Dr.