It's hard for us to see a homeless animal without thinking of our own pets -- safe, warm, loved, living a life that we know they need, and deserve.  It kills us, and we're not alone.  We're in the company of millions.

CharlieDog and Friends believes we all want the same thing for our animals: a soft place, a loving place, a place where scraps sometimes land on the floor and it's okay to pick them up with your tongue.  A special spot in the heart of a family.

Our mission is to help rescue organizations change the way people think about, and go about, getting their family pet.  It's to make sure the animal shelter is the first (and, hopefully, only) stop on that exciting Saturday afternoon, when children and adults get in the car and set out to find their new best friend, brand-new leash in hand.

We hope every child that loves a CharlieDog toy loves the spirit of that toy, the spirit and the story of the once-homeless pet that inspired it.  And when the day comes -- and it will! -- to start pestering the parents for a dog or cat, we hope that child will say, "I want a homeless pet."

Our mission is also to help cash-strapped, local animal rescue organizations get that pet to you.  By making careful donations to these rescues, we'll help pay for food and shelter, transportation and veterinary costs -- great and small -- that can quickly add up for these rescues.  Money's important.  Money means the difference, in many cases, between life and death for an animal that is out of time.

Which brings us to our promise.  We promise never to waste your money.  We'll pledge to spend it thoughtfully and directly on on-the-ground rescue needs -- exactly how we would spend our own money.  Vet care for sick or injured animals.  Transport costs (gas and tolls) for pets who have been rehomed, but have no way there.  Direct sponsorship of individual dogs or cats in shelters.  The people behind CharlieDog and Friends have seen local rescue in action (we volunteer ourselves) and we can tell you: it's awe-inspiring, and because it's a job that tears at the heart, it needs constant funding.

We'll never donate to large, bloated animal welfare organizations, that -- despite their size, and without a doubt -- do good.  Rescues need more help.

Thank you for your love of the little things...

Suzy