"Lost dogs would rather be in Geauga County than anywhere else." - Hope Brustein
The Geauga Humane Society’s Rescue Village in Russell Township saves dogs, cats, horses, pigs and some people, too.
Hope Brustein, executive director of the humane society and the shelter, spoke July 12 about the many and varied services Rescue Village provides to all, even to some beyond the county line.
Over the years, the organization has rescued about 36,000 animals and helped about 100,000 people, she told the Geauga Township Association during its quarterly meeting at Orchard Hills Park in Chester Township.
Best known for collecting stray pets and finding homes for puppies and kittens, Rescue Village has a variety of programs to create and maintain bonds between humans and other domestic species.
Veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder qualify for free pets and women trying to escape an abusive situation can bring their animals to Rescue Village for temporary care.
“Women will not leave if their pets are not taken care of,” Brustein said, so Rescue Village puts out the welcome mat.
During the school year, representatives visit schools to educate about 5,000 students on how to treat pets compassionately and with respect and how to care for them properly, she said.
“We have a terrific partnership with the schools,” Brustein said, adding Rescue Village reaches out to the Amish communities and has experienced increased cooperation in having dogs and cats spayed and neutered.
Lost pets are a problem in any community, but Brustein said the county has a good record for corralling wandering dogs and, when possible, reuniting them with their human families or finding them new homes.
“Lost dogs would rather be in Geauga County than anywhere else,” she said, adding Rescue Village has a good relationship with county and local law enforcement.
That is valuable when animals need to be removed from a home, something that doesn’t happen too often.
“We investigate hundreds and hundreds of complaints,” Brustein said, but the humane society only prosecutes cases when absolutely necessary.
Rescue Village depends on donations, grants and fundraising to maintain its $3 million budget, taking no government tax dollars for its 24/7 operation, she said.
“How does Rescue Village survive and thrive? Through the generosity of people all over the region,” Brustein said.
As the facility on state Route 306 in Russell Township has grown, neighboring communities have asked to be included in some of the programs, turning Rescue Village into “a regional powerhouse,” she said, adding, however, the administration and staff are grounded in Geauga County.
“No matter how large we are, we will never give up our Geauga roots,” she said.
