On a balmy evening in June, 1992 during a meeting of the Central Indiana
Shetland Sheepdog Club (CISSC), Kathy Morphew reported that an 11 year old
Sheltie named Torrie was to be put down by her owner the next morning. It
seemed that the family no longer had time for this sweet little girl who had
dutifully presented them with several litters of puppies through the years.
Now that she was no longer breedable and was not jumping around as she once
did, they had decided to put her down.
A few very concerned members adamantly vowed that the dog would not be
destroyed. Kathy and Carole Creech rescued Torrie early the next morning -
literally hours before she was to be euthanized. After several hours of
grooming and trimming, Torrie again looked like the lovely dog she once was.
A trip to the veterinarian identified a severe case of painful hip displasia.
Miraculously, a compassionate young couple, Bob and Dawn appeared on the scene
and adopted Torrie. In cooperation with CISSC the couple provided the needed
surgery and gave Torrie a wonderful home.
This situation pointed out the need for a Sheltie Rescue program. The initial
committee appointed by CISSC to study the project consisted of Karen Adams,
Vicki and Bob Piccirillo, and Ellen Lacey. When their proposal was submitted
to CISSC it was decided to delay the formation of a rescue group until more
help was available.
The project was revived in 1993 with Karen and Dick McKellar added to the
initial committee. Many Sunday afternoons were devoted to writing the
Constitution and By-Laws and developing policies and forms. The proposal was
again submitted to CISSC and on April 1, 1994, approval was granted to develop
a Sheltie Rescue organization that was separate from CISSC.
Immediately following the CISSC meeting, eight charter members - Tammy
Burkett, Carole Creech, Karen and Dick McKellar, Vicki and Bob Piccirillo,
Ellen Lacey and Beth Vail - met to organize Sheltie Rescue of Central
Indiana...an organization whose time had come!
Are you interested in SRCI ? We welcome all questions about
rescue and how the organization is operated. If you would like more information
please contact the president of SRCI at
president@sheltie-rescue.org.
