NorSled
Northern California Sled Dog Rescue
Resources
Norsled Supporters
"I invited NORSLED reps Gail de Rita and Cathy Christenson to join our
February Iditarod workshop (Gr 2-5). What a memorable treat! Gail and Cathy
shared their knowledge and experiences with the Iditarod race and Siberian
Huskies with our students. The students LOVED meeting their three big,
sweet, soft dogs -- who are extremely kid-friendly! After their enthusiastic
and informative presentation, we went to the park across the street. The
women harnessed their dogs to a wheeled cart and we enjoyed watching a
delightful demonstration of the dogs' natural instinct and pulling
abilities. NORSLED's participation in our workshop was the icing on the cake
-- a morning of fun learning for our families!"
Julie Kipper
Advisor-Teacher
Horizons Home Study
Mt. Diablo Unified School District
5/1/07
"Norsled is one of the best dog rescue groups out there! We adopted our malamute from them a year ago and she makes us laugh every day. I’ve been so impressed with how the group intervenes in some very bad situations and will do what it takes to rehabilitate a good dog found in need. Their staff of volunteers is simply amazing and I know the funds raised truly benefit the animals. Love you guys!"
Laura Katz 4/13/07
"We have adopted 2 great husky mixes from Norsled who are now part of our family. The adoption process with Norsled went beyond expectations in making sure their animals go to the right home. If an animal gets lost, you need some advice, or anything Norsled is there. I cannot say enough words of thanks and appreciation for this wonderful organization. A truly inspiring group!"
Andrew Heywood 4/12/07
Contact Us
Northern California Sled Dog Rescue
PO Box 5784
Vallejo CA 94591
Phone: 800-471-5822
What's New!!
Donations Needed
Northern CA Sled Dog Rescue (NORSLED) is a 501(c)(3) non profit all volunteer organization dedicated to rescuing, fostering and finding homes for unwanted, abandoned and abused Northern breed dogs, including Siberian Huskies, Malamutes, Samoyeds, American Eskimos and mixes of same. We work throughout Northern California and parts of Nevada. We often provide extensive medical care as well. Donations to NorSled are tax deductible. Please click the PayPal icon to support NorSled.
About NorSled
Northern California Sled Dog Rescue (NorSled) is an all-volunteer non-profit group dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and finding new homes for unwanted, abused and abandoned Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Samoyeds, and Northern-breed mixes in many Northern California counties including: Alameda, Butte, Contra Costa, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Sacramento, Solano, Sonoma, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba.
More About NorSled
Name: Northern California Sled Dog Rescue (NorSled)
Founded: 1998.
Tax status: We are a 501(c)(3) non profit: donations to NorSled are tax deductible.
Mission: Rescuing, fostering and finding homes for unwanted, abandoned and abused Northern breed dogs: Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Samoyeds, and mixes of these breeds.
Results: Since our inception, we have helped find homes for almost 1,000 dogs. 251 dogs were adopted out by NorSled in 2008 alone.
In 1998, a small group of husky lovers, who were members of Siberian Husky Rescue and Referral, formed NorSled. The group wanted to rescue expand rescue to include Nordic mixes. We did not replace the other rescue groups but were looking at helping the mixes, dogs in geographic regions where there were not rescue groups, and working with the other groups. Today NorSled coordinates efforts with more than 10 other rescue groups including: MUSH, SHRR, BASH, Wing and a Prayer, ARF, Samoyed Rescue, and German Shepherd Rescue.
NorSled hosts adoption fairs in at least 3 counties and attend events in even more. We have participated with ARF, Oakland SPCA, SCARF and others in adoption events and awareness. NorSled conducts programs at local schools educating students about dogs, sled dogs in particular and the Iditarod.
Our members help with adoption fairs, go to shelters, work on the website, do fundraising, walk dogs that are kenneled, write and create materials to educate the public, answer phone calls and emails, educate potential adopters, and do many other services that make it possible for us to find homes for these wonderful dogs. Our members are the lifeblood of NorSled, and are the reason we can find homes for the dogs.
And some of our members foster. At any given time, we have approximately 18-25 dogs in foster homes. Foster dogs have included puppies born to “fat” females shelters asked us to pull, orphaned 3 week old pups, dogs with medical conditions, dogs needing surgery – our foster parents have worked with all. Our foster families are incredible, and do wonders with helping treat, rehabilitate and understand the dogs so we can them find them their forever homes. Fostering is the lifeblood of dog rescue.
Membership opportunities: We are always looking for new members to help with adoption fairs, monitoring the shelters, fostering and/or fundraising. Please contact us at 800-471-5822 or send an email to rescue@norsled.org about your interest in helping out with NorSled.
Three Common Questions About NorSled
What care has a NorSled Dog Received?
NorSled dogs are:
- Spayed or Neutered
- Current on Rabies and DHLPP vaccines
- Microchipped
- Fitted with a limited slip mushing collar
- Tagged with an ID that is maintained in a database
- Seen by a veterinarian if medical care is needed
Why would a NorSled Dog Need Medical Care?
NorSled will pull dogs from shelters with treatable medical conditions. We nurse them and get them the veterinary
care they need while finding them homes. In recent times we have treated dogs for conditions ranging from torn knee
ligaments, heartworm and hookworm, to broken bones and gun shot wounds.
Where do NorSled Dogs Come From?
Most come from shelters. Realize, many of the local shelters are "kill" shelters; they euthanize the dogs that are
not adopted or recovered quickly. We try to work with the shelters as much as possible, even putting dogs up on our
site while still in the shelter.
We also sometimes have owner surrenders; people who can no longer keep their dog, for whatever reason. If at all possible, we encourage owners to keep the dogs with them while we try to find the dog a new home. This is less traumatic for the dog.
How You Can Help
Rescuing Nordic Breed dogs can be expensive. Many come to us needing medical attention, some need behavioral training, and most need attention and love to get ready to go to their forever homes. We are always looking for foster homes, shelter monitors and people to help with adoption fairs and fundraising. The main requirements are a good sense of humor and extreme tolerance of dog hair!
To contact us about membership information and volunteer opportunities, send an email to rescue@NorSled.org. If you would like to make a donation to NorSled, click on How to Help. Or go to your favorite shopping sites by way of our Shopping Links. NorSled receives a donation from the merchant for any purchases you make through this page.