Local animal rescue nonprofit Mums and Mutts continues to do its part to find forever homes for pets around South Philadelphia
By Bill Gelman
When Megan McFarland adopted her first rescue dog in 2010, it marked the beginning of a special bond. Not just with the pet she brought home, but many, many more that were in need of a home.
“Growing up, I always had a love and soft spot for animals. Once I adopted Lexie with my now husband, Jason and I began to foster to help out more dogs,” McFarland, a former South Philly Review Difference Maker, said. “Since we began fostering, we have fostered over 50 dogs of all breeds, ages and sizes. We have also adopted two of our foster dogs, Frankie and Noelle.
“While Noelle was up for adoption, she was recovering from cancer and we fell so in love, we knew she was already ‘home.’”
Many of these pets find new homes through the Mums and Mutts nonprofit McFarland started seven years ago to help shelters and rescues. It includes holding an annual Mums and Mutts Fall Festival at Burke Playground, Second and Jackson streets. Besides doing fundraising and events, it provides support to more than 13 animal and welfare organizations in and around Philly. Since the fall of 2016, many of the pets in need of a home have appeared in SPR as part of the weekly Adopt This Pet feature. McFarland said the response from readers has been tremendous.
“Each week we saw applications come in shortly after the Review was distributed. The community that reads the Review has been so incredible and ALL of the pets we have featured are now in loving homes because of it,” McFarland said. “It’s really so exceptional to have a community paper who cares so much, and without the help of the Review these pets may still be in shelters or foster care.”
Other pets appear on PHL17 Morning News every Friday morning.
Each of the dogs has his or her own unique story, such as a medical condition or hurricane survivor. The brief description accompanies a photo of the dog in need of a home. McFarland said her most memorable story was of Bonnie Belle, who was with Tree Tops animal rescue for months, overlooked time and time again.
“She was a happy sweet girl, but continuously had no interested adopters,” McFarland said. “Mums and Mutts put her [in the Review] as the pet of the week, and boom, within one day she had an application from an amazing couple, the Pescatores, who reside in South Philly! She is so happy in her forever home and has the best family!”
Miracle (“Be Miracle’s miracle”) appeared in the Nov. 29 issue of the South Philly Review. The abandoned puppy was found in an alley, but once her picture appeared in the paper, McFarland said the applications came pouring in to adopt Miracle.
“People were so touched by her story, they wanted to help,” McFarland said. “This is what makes our community so great!”
For more information about Mums and Mutts, visit mumsandmutts.org.
