January 7, 2005

Dogs’ best friend

Avocation leads to forever homes for discarded dogs

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

People talk about man’s best friend but for many canines their greatest pal is Loree Levy—dog rescuer and lover extraordinaire.

Pet Boulevard Hopsital’s staff is committed to helping Toy Breed Rescue. Back row Douglas Taylor, Karri Talluto; front row Charmaine Pollack and Levy holding some of their recent charges.

Levy is founder of Toy Breed Rescue, which she has operated since 1994. She has saved Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, Maltese, Yorkshire terriers, Pekingnese all size poodles and giant schnauzers. She specializes in full coated breeds, both pure and mixed under 20 pounds. And she has a special affinity for geriatric and special needs dogs. When a rescue call comes in anywhere in California, Levy jumps in her car to rescue the animal[s] and provide care until a new home is found for her charge.

“I have been doing rescue so long that I don’t “find” the rescue dogs—they find me,” Levy said. “Some dogs come from owners giving them up, some from shelters and elsewhere. I usually have at least five or more rescues at a time. Almost all of my rescue dogs are purebred. That is so sad. This seems to be such a throwaway society.”

No pets allowed
Levy grew up in the city housing projects of New York where the family was never allowed to have pets. But that didn’t stop the young girl from adopting a procession of “contraband” animals. Her menagerie included hamsters, a rabbit and a cat named Susilla.

When Levy moved to California, she brought Susilla who lived to be 17-years-old. She rescued her first dog in 1978 and was hooked. Soon she joined a rescue group and branched out on her own in 1994 with Toy Breed Rescue. Since then she has re-homed over a 100 dogs a year and in 2003 her final count was 203.

“Loree Levy is one of a kind,” Colleen Bischel whose family has adopted three Shih Tzus from Toy Breed Rescue after losing several of their dogs through the years. “She is amazing and blessed to be able to keep giving both two and four legged creatures a brighter happier future. She is our miracle worker. Maybe there really is a Santa Claus and he is a lady.”

Help from Dr. Wonderful
Levy is quick to mention that her biggest help and supporter is husband, Dr. Monte Schwartz, a veterinarian who built and opened Pet Boulevard Hospital in Campbell in 1970. The cohesive staff calls him Dr. Wonderful.

“He gives me the freedom and support to take in hardship cases and allows me to fill the hospital with rescue dogs,” Levy said about her husband of 22 years. “He allows me to fill the hospital with rescue dogs. I love the senior dogs as well as the needy dogs. I’ve re-homed one eyed, three legged, deaf and blind dogs. There are many people out there with giant hearts who welcome the disabled, needy, the less than perfect pet. It is a wonderful feeling when they are placed in a new home.”

The whole staff is dedicated to the cause. Dr. Margaret Rusher helps with spay and neuter of the dogs, researches special cases and does orthopedic surgeries allowing Levy to rescue dogs with broken legs and problem hips. Rusher even knits the small canines sweaters.

Pet Boulevard Hospital’s veterinarian technician and groomer, Charmaine Pollack turns the neglected dogs from “frogs into princes and princesses.” And the entire staff pitches in to socialize, walk, bathe, pamper and love all the rescued canines until they find their “forever” homes. All dogs are examined, spayed or neutered and vaccinated.

Lots of referrals
Besides referrals from veterinarians, shelters, groomers and other rescue groups, Levy finds homes for her charges at the adoption fair. Once a month, she and other volunteers groom and transport the canines to Doggie Day Care on Pollard Road where they interview prospective guardians hoping to find a perfect match.

“I want this to be the dogs’ last stop,” Levy said at the adoption fair holding Bobo and Lei-Lei, Shih Tzus’ whose owner did not want to keep them any longer. “I want to be put out of business.”

Levy is chairperson for the American Shih Tzu Club and the Golden Gate Shih Tzu Fanciers Club, serving on the rescue committees. She also serves on the city of San Jose’s Animal Advisory Committee. She has been featured in the American Shih Tzu Club and American Kennel Club Gazette.

“Loree does an amazing amount of work,” American Shih Tzu Club President Sally Vitas said. “I don’t know where she has the energy and time. With her work with the ASTC she investigates and coordinates with people across the nation; instructing rescue, lending advice and moral support and coordinating payments for validity. I have lots of admiration for her.”

When Levy is not rescuing canines, she loves to travel. The couple has visited 32 countries where they “love to meet people and animals.” She enjoys crafts; beading, flower arranging and fabric painting to relax. She has two canines of her own, Shih Tzu and Lhasa, who are, of course, rescued dogs.

For more information call Toy Breed Rescue at (408) 379-5554 or go to TOYDOGRSQ@aol.com. Adoption fairs are held the first Saturday of the month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Doggie Day Care in the Rinconada Center, 1466 Pollard Rd.