Mask for Mutts

Durham, Bull City, Face Mask, Mask, Dogs, Covid

Congratulations! You made it. We made it. We’re halfway through 2020 and that means we survived the first half. Wow. Look at us. 

It feels like we’re living in the tensest, most chaotic times known to humankind… and well, we are. Hope, compassion, and health are the new currency. Here’s a little something brimming with all three to lift your spirits, keep you healthy, and save some puppies!

This is a story about a pup named Mario and all the lives he touched.

Hope Animal Rescue volunteer and Reuse Artist Extraordinaire, Sarah Pai (aka Sweetie Pai) shared with us the heartwarming story of a little dog named Mario and the incrediBULL mission of Hope Animal Rescue. Grab a tissue and prepare yourself for some much-needed joy.

What Hope Animal Rescue Does and how you initially got involved with them. 

Hope Animal Rescue (HAR) is a Durham-based non-profit dedicated to rescuing and rehoming dogs in the Triangle region. HAR is dedicated to saving all dogs regardless of age, breed, or medical condition. I started fostering with HAR because I learned about the number of dogs in shelters and wanted to do something to help. My husband, RK  and I have fostered 52 dogs in the past 5 years and needless to say, we are committed to the cause! Animal rescue makes a difference in the lives of so many dogs and people.”

Wait… 52 dogs! She’s fostered a dog for every week of the year. Now that’s some love and commitment.

Mario was one of those rescue dogs and his impact is saving lots of lives – both human and pupper.

“Hope Animal Rescue pulled Mario from a local shelter knowing that he had severe breathing issues.  When it was determined that the surgery he would need was going to cost HAR thousands of dollars,  I came up with the idea of making masks for a donation of $10.  It was right when COVID-19 started and I thought it was a good way to help the community and our organization.  The response was so overwhelming, within a week we formed a team of 10 volunteer mask makers to keep up with the demand.  People donated fabric and sent us flat sheets to use.  It is truly a community effort.  We raised enough money in one month to pay for Mario’s surgery and cover the medical costs of other dogs.  Sadly, Mario’s medical issues progressed and we had to say goodbye, but his spirit lives on through the fundraising campaign he has inspired.”

And that’s how a quick fundraiser called Masks for Mario became a full-on movement called Masks for Mutts. In addition to masks, which are now state-mandated, you can purchase a $20 shirt to support the cause. You can also buy face masks in bulk at 15 face masks for only $100. Mario lives on through an initiative that continues to grow. 

Masks for Mutts would not be possible without our team of mask makers and our community that supports this effort. We have a team of 15 mask makers; some of the mask makers are HAR volunteers, but others just wanted to be part of this effort.

“All material is donated. I put out a call for fabric and people were happy to donate extra material they had. Top sheets work especially well for masks so several people bought and sent us new sheets. One supporter of HAR sent 12 yards of fabric!!! She was going to use it for curtains but decided it would go to good use with us. We are still using donated fabric and are always accepting donations.”

And there’s more!

Fillaree has been a big supporter of Masks for Mutts  and we partnered with the Alliance of Disability Advocates (ADA). They made a purchase of 60 masks and we donated 30 – these will be given out to people with disabilities. 

“In addition to Mario’s surgery, Masks for Mutts has paid for Spay and Neuter Surgery for 30 dogs and Heartworm Treatment (3 injections) for 3 dogs.

“In addition to the masks, we sell Masks for Mutts tees The cost is $20 and half of that goes to HAR and the other half pays for production. We will also be coming out with the special edition “Mario Mask”  using Mario pattern fabric.  Those will come out mid-July.”

Ladies of Fillaree supporting Masks for Mutts.

Stay tuned for the Mario Mask but in the meantime here are a few ways you can get involved:

  • Follow @HopeAnimalRescue on social media and comment on their posts. This boosts the posts in the algorithm meaning more people see them, increasing the chances of adoption.
  • Follow Sarah @sweetiepais and keep up with her foster pups @thepaipack
  • Order a mask. It’s only $10.
  • Order 15 masks for only $100 for your humans in your life to make sure everyone stays healthy and follows the state mandate. That’s one heck of a deal! 
  • Order a Mask for Mutts T-Shirt for $20 to add to your Durham shirt collection. 
  • Donate fabric and/or top sheets.
  • Make a donation.
  • Apply to volunteer.
  • Become a mask maker.  An easy way to help raise money.
  • Foster a dog. 
  • Jump in and adopt a dog!
  • Share this article with your friends and family. It is said that a social media share is worth $112. It only takes a minute and has a powerful impact.  Sharing is caring unless it’s disease.

Hope Mario’s story lifted your spirits and filled you with a sense of hope. In this crazy world, there is something you can do to help. In fact, there are lots of ways you can help. The biggest one is to protect your health and the health of those around you. Wear a mask.

Tell us in the comments below if you’ve ever rescued a pet and what you named them. 

The late, great Mario.

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Responses

  1. This is amazing!! I grew up with rescue dogs; PJ (Paws & jaws), Merlin, Thor. Now I have my own rescue pup, Sirius named after the Dog Star! My parents just adopted from HAR and they named their new pup Brycham.
    Thank you for everything you do to keep us inspired!