Project Blue Collar is committed to supporting the heroes on the front line of dog adoption through donations of collars and leashes or specific fundraising campaigns. Every month we select a rescue group to be the beneficiary of our Buy One Give One program. From February 1 - 29 we are thrilled to have For Our Underdogs Refuge in Fayettevile, North Carolina. We asked them a few questions for all you rescue dog lovers to get to know them - and we think you'll like what you'll see!

What is involved in keeping a shelter-based rescue going?

Most of our dogs come from the local rural kill shelters. We have a few hospice dogs, and about 8-12 adoptable dogs at any one time. Keeping a foster-based rescue going requires creating a failure proof situation for the fosters and the dogs. We give information about decompression, positive reinforcement training advice, and always encourage prompt communication.

What are some of the things your group is known for?

We are known for helping those last minute dogs, and being one of the few rescues in the area that take in owner surrenders at times. We are known for our social media presence in the short amount of time that we have been incorporated. 

Describe some of the more challenging moments in rescue and how you/the other volunteers got through it.

A challenging moment for us was and still is, finding homes for our ONLY-PET home dogs. For example, Nala, Earl, Lilo and Josie all deserve forever homes, and do not even have fosters that can help them. We have committed to them, so we raise funds for boarding, training, and work with people all across the state and the United States to get them seen on social media.

What is the most rewarding part about volunteering? What would you say to others who are considering volunteering for a group like yours?

The little things. When we see a dog comfortable in a foster home, after a few days out of the shelter or when we find perfect fit families that truly want what is best for the dog(s), it makes it all worth it. We would recommend you ask questions, get involved slowly and learn the ropes of the area. Be open-minded and be creative!

Let us know anything else you'd like to share with us.

We would like share a few images/info about our underdogs:

Chance: The bow-legged heartworm positive sweetheart who is having trouble gaining weight and was left to die as a stray in a kill shelter.

Earl: The staffordshire terrier mix that LOVES people but just needs a loving family with no other pets and a fenced in yard.

Nala: Our chow chow mix who had it rough... found as a stray.. recently weaned puppies, and was in heat and was thought to have had a broken tail at the shelter -- we pulled her in her last hour.

Lilo: Our rocket dog -- man is she agile!! She is a mountain cur mix and LOVES to see squirrels running and her trainer even complimented her agility!

Josie and Daniel: Two rescue transfers from two different rescues, Josie was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago, and since she has to be an only pet, has been in boarding for 2 whole years. She has clean margins and no further signs of tumors, and no-one has shown interest in her sweet self. Daniel was in boarding for over 2 years and just needed a foster home. He has found the best foster home to work with him on his problems that arose from being in a kill shelter, to going to a boarding kennel, then to a punitive trainer, and then back to a boarding kennel.

Lastly, fosters SAVE LIVES. There is NO getting around that FACT. Thank you for your time and your willingness to help Underdogs in the US!

Please support For Our Underdogs and participate in our BOGO program. With your purchase of any item in our BOGO collection, we'll make sure that dogs like Chance, Earl and Nala will get the same!

You can also send them a LOVE BUNDLE and make sure they have a whole supply of collars and leashes for all their current dogs and ones that come in.