Today we’d like to introduce you to Brunie Drumond.
Hi Brunie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When I rescued my first dog, I was in my twenties. I recall at the time having a void in my life when it came to having a sense of purpose or caring about something or someone other than myself. That was when I came across a tiny, broken, tick and flee-ridden pup. I named her Monkey because despite her difficult past, she was still bouncy and full of life. She changed my life. She was the beginning of my passion for helping homeless animals. I found that purpose I had been searching for with the lives I spend my time saving. After volunteering with AAC, APA and various other rescues, my partner and I adopted an English Bulldog from Houston, which opened up a glimpse into the world of this amazing, yet challenging breed. Our rescue, Austin Bulldog Rescue, is a foster-based rescue that used to be called Austin Bully Butt Rescue. I became president of Austin Bulldog Rescue 3 years ago after ABBR had closed down.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
ABBR was a small rescue that had a minimal capacity for intake and fostering. About a year before our tenure leading the organization, the prior owners experienced an extended streak of dogs coming into the rescue with heavy medical needs. The primary goal of the rescue has always first and foremost been to help bullies in need, but it ultimately put a heavy financial strain on the rescue which meant we took over a rescue that was in the red.
In the very beginning, I found myself running operations singlehandedly and relying on the good-will of volunteers who would answer my urgent pleas for foster help. It was a slow road to creating the amazing, compatible, and compassionate team we now have.
We are extremely thankful for the empathy and understanding of our medical provider partners who worked with us while we developed and implemented our plan to accelerate our fundraising efforts. And as our organization has grown so has the strength and number of partnerships with our wonderful vet partners.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My biggest focus of rescue for many years was senior hospice dogs. After years as a volunteer at the city shelter and working closely with the group Classic Canines, I took in an ailing hospice dog from the city shelter at the end of 2015. Blackie was a very neglected, beautiful, and sweet, blind dog that had never lived inside as a loved family member. My goal was to give Blackie all the love and comfort he had always deserved. I was able to give him a comfortable and happy place to live in his final days, and in the end, I was able to have a vet come to my home to help Blackie pass on surrounded by his family and kindness. I feel passionate about the wellbeing and compassionate end of life care for all dogs. When I took on a rescue of my own, many warned me against taking in senior dogs as they cost more to care for, and many people don’t want to adopt elderly pets. I chose to stand firm in my belief that every living creature deserves a compassionate and loving life, even if that time is only a week or a day. Our rescue has consistently maintained a strong belief in giving every dog proper veterinary care, love, and comfort. I’m deeply proud of our team and the community that has rallied behind our dogs and our cause.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Interesting question, I was raised without a belief in luck. So this is a tough question. While yes, luck does happen… for the most part, we have to rely on hard work and grit. In rescue, it’s VERY hard work that makes things happen. However, the one area I can give to luck is the ability to have some of the MOST amazing people working alongside me in this rescue. My team is so so amazing, generous of spirit, and deeply dedicated. I am 100% sure that what we do is a team effort, and I am deeply fortunate to be part of what I think is the best team in the world.
Pricing:
- Adopting a bulldog from us ranges from $100-$600
Contact Info:
- Email: admin@austinbulldogrescue.com
- Website: www.austinbulldogrescue.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austin_bulldog_rescue/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AustinBulldogRescue
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQm1a-Glj2Dhbcn675uqVzg
Image Credits
Sarah Jurgensen
