Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network is a nationwide, all-volunteer, non-profit organization that rescues Cairn Terriers from homelessness as well as those being used as breeding stock in puppy mills and among backyard breeders. The Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network, which is over 600 members strong, rescued 373 Cairn Terriers in 2007. “The more I watched, I realized this is not only a rescue, but a family,” Leah said. “Then I fell in love with the dogs and there was no way I could walk away.”
The organization recently won Yahoo!’s “Be a Better Inspiration” charity competition. For two weeks in December, people voted for their favorite charities online. The rescue placed in the top five and was entered into the competition. The charity that collected the most non-duplicated donations of $10 or more in one week would win a matching donation of up to $50,000 from Yahoo!. The Col. Potter Cairn Terrier Rescue Network raised a total of $21,295, less than the $43,399 the charity Food on Foot accumulated; however, the rescue had the most non-duplicated donations, meaning more people actually donated to it, making it the winner. “This was not something that was done easily, but we did it and now more people are aware of puppy mills and understand just where that doggie in the window really comes from,” Leah said. “Hopefully, they will remember that those pet store puppies do come from puppy mills and their mothers and fathers are still there.”
As a member of the organization’s intakes team, Leah monitors approximately 25 websites that include dog auctions and classified ads. If she sees an ad for a Cairn that is free to a good home or selling cheap, she becomes concerned. Because Cairns are a small breed, dogfighters will take free or inexpensive ones to use as bait, Leah explains. Cairns for sale at dog auctions are also vulnerable to dogfighters and, more often, to other backyard breeders and millers. The millers usually keep the dogs in cages, breed them repeatedly and provide no love or veterinary care. One dog from a puppy mill, named Wesson, had ear infections so severe she could not hear or lift up her head. After being adopted, her infections were treated and her rotten teeth extracted. Although she remained deaf, Wesson became healthy and loved. Leah also transports dogs from shelters, veterinary clinics and millers to foster homes, driving Interstate 80 for transports. She has also performed a home evaluation for a potential foster home.
Growing up, Leah had always had large dogs. The lifelong animal lover adopted her current dog, an American Eskimo mix named “Snowball,” from the SPCA two years ago. Family members support Leah’s efforts to work with the rescue. Her husband and children are willing to help where they can.
Aside from donations, Leah says the rescue is always in need of foster homes and transporters. People looking to adopt a specific breed should try a shelter or rescue group before going to a pet store. But, most importantly, she urges everyone to spay and neuter their pets.
How To Help
To make a donation, volunteer, foster or adopt a Cairn or for more information, visit www.cairnrescue.com. 
