They struggle to survive in back alleys and trapped in desolate yards with no water.  They are lost on the streets.  They're tied to fence posts, thrown out of cars.  They have been hurt, abused, neglected, abandoned. And despite all that - they are deep, gentle, loving souls.  They just need to know that they have a place in the world that is safe and caring, and someone they can rely on. ​

 

Some perish in the streets.  Others, notionally luckier, make it to a shelter.  But there, it's their last hope, and many who go in never come out. No one comes for them.  

 

Some of the shelters can't even feed the animals - let alone, spend money or time on creating awareness in the community.  Counties and towns think it's more important to fill potholes and plant flowers on Main Street and scrub storefronts then to save those lives.  A shelter director said to us, when asked her biggest problem:  "no one knows they're here."

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When they are rescued - given a chance - their gratitude is so deep, and their love.  This isn't the sentimental imagination of animal lovers: research has shown that rescued dogs have a deeper focus on their owners and a deeper appreciation for the stability and love they are receiving. 

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We founded The Save Marcus Project to pursue one clear goal: creating awareness and visibility for these animals and finding them homes. We have documented with research that there are many people with loving hearts and empathy who can be convinced to be rescuers,  if we can create visibility – if we can put the need and the tragedy and the joy and the transcendence into our culture and conversation.

 

That can't be done with advertising:  the need is too great and the resources are too limited.  Instead, we need to build an ever-expanding community of  advocates and ambassadors to carry the values, need, and promise to those around us. 

 

We need people to talk about it over lunch and at the bar and at parties and with friends. We need people to wear t-shirts and hats and have stickers on their cars and communicate the need and their passion and conviction. We need celebrities and influencers to dedicate songs and playlists and works of art. We need fashion brands and jewelry brands to have special collections that honor these beautiful animals and create awareness, so their customers will become aware and, through wearing these collections, will carry the message to friends, loved ones, and colleagues.

 

That way, the rescue mission can expand exponentially - and become part of the community and the culture.  It can become so pervasive that it is nard not to be aware.  It can become something more than a campaign or a slogan:  it will become a brand.  With, like the best brands, values, and clarity, and beauty, and promises made, kept, and renewed.  ​

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That is our mission: to inspire and help us all to build that brand.  By creating tools and tactics and partnerships that everyone - from individuals and community leaders, to influencers, to national brands - can leverage become brand ambassadors for rescue animals.  We hope you will join us - as a partner, supporter, advocate, and rescuer.

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In a world that has become increasingly impersonal and angry and fragmented, in a world where many of us struggle to figure out where we fit in and what we stand for, where everything is fraught and politicized, where we try to navigate the unpredictable pathways and find safety, the simplicity and purity of the love of a dog is a beautiful, unique gift.  A soul who was born into the world to love you. And, who, in being saved by you, creates a beauty in your life that you could never have imagined.