ColliesWithoutBorders, working to Hold and Spread the Light!

This year we are joining other bloggers from around the world in a united effort to Blog4Peace!  Today, November 4th, is the day bloggers use their voices to hold the light against darkness.  We are trying to spread light and joy, to spread peace, in a world that seems to need it now more than ever.  

Each blog will choose how to hold the light in their own personal way.  It took me a while to decide how to use the collie blog to spread a message of peace and light.  I just wasn’t sure what to share, how to use our blog to make a difference.   But then I realized, there is already a very dedicated group of collie owners who are working to help both collies and their families.  I decided that sharing their efforts, and all they have accomplished, here on the blog would be the perfect way to “Hold the Light!”  The group is called ColliesWithoutBorders, and they kindly allowed me to interview them about their organization and how you can help.

How and when did ColliesWithoutBorders start?

ColliesWithoutBorders (please note no spaces in our name) was founded by Flora Scheck, a collie owner, who was touched by the devastation in Ukraine and through Facebook friendships, realized how many collies and owners were impacted.  Finding themselves unable to buy food for their beloved collies and other family animals, was one more horrible byproduct of the war effecting these families.  The war in Ukraine gave us a purpose.  Collies and their families united, joined paws and hands, and worked out a plan to give and help, proudly taking a stand that no collie would be left behind.  Collies became for us a beacon of gentle hope, beauty, and peace, teaching us what courage, tenacity and faith are in the face of such inhumanity and cruelty.  We found a common cause and together we became an overnight force.  

What are the main goals? ​

 

To help collie families anywhere in the world when their lives are disrupted by catastrophic events.  

Our mission is to keep families and their beloved pets together when faced with war or natural disasters.

Can you tell us about a couple of collies and families you have helped?

 

We currently sponsor 166 collies, the majority in Ukraine because the need is so great as well as some collies in the USA.   This year we also opened our sister branch in the UK, Ukrainian Rough Collie Aid.  We work closely together to assist collies across Europe.

 

CWB assisted several collies with medical emergencies, as well as providing funds for food monthly, and relocation assistance for families and their collies who had to be evacuated due to the war.  We currently are helping 3 collies in Ukraine who found themselves homeless after their owner was killed.  We are in the process of rehabilitating them and finding homes. We also provide anti-anxiety vests and calming chews, which have proven beneficial to those dogs terribly stressed by continuous bombing. 

How can people help CWB in their effort?

 

If you would like to join us in our efforts to assist collies and their families, please visit ColliesWithoutBorders.org and our FB page ColliesWithoutBorders.  You can donate, sponsor a collie, or shop our store for unique collie themed items. Our mailing address is ColliesWithoutBorders, PO Box 256, Pluckemin, NJ  07978-0256

 

We love our mission and seeing our organization growing, but we can’t do it alone.  We depend on volunteers and donations to keep doing what we do.  Please feel free to contact us if you or someone in your community can help.  

I have met many of the wonderful members of this group, and I am so impressed by their efforts to help others, especially those suffering from the horrible war in the Ukraine.  Please use the links provided above to learn more about this amazing organization and how you can help them with their mission.