This website dedicated in memory of
DON WHITE
September 16, 1942 - November 10, 2020
Our Story
The Heart of Rescue
It is the love of a dog that creates the first step of a rescue. Whether it be a purebred, a purebred mix, or one that wants so badly to be a purebred, this love was the motivation of Don and Laura White, our founders, to ensure that all Tollers would be rescued, even those that simply looked like a Toller.
Our Beginnings
Toller Rescue Inc. took its first financial step by opening a bank account in April 2009, followed closely by obtaining a Certificate of Filing for Texas in the same month. With the website already up and running, the journey of rescue had officially begun. Then, on February 11, 2019, we proudly became an official nonprofit, receiving our 501(c)(3) status.
A Rescue Close to Home
Through Toller Rescue, Inc., Don was able to rescue Sophie. When Sophie was first brought to their home as a foster, the thought of her becoming a service dog was not even a possibility. Sophie had severe separation anxiety—so much so that she ripped down curtains and even jumped out of a screened window.
Low and behold, her unwavering desire to be with Don led to her official role as his service dog. They soon became inseparable.
Don & Laura
This page is dedicated to
Don & Laura White
for the love of all Tollers.
for the love of all Tollers.
Don & Sophie
TRI Mission & Vision
Our Mission:
Toller Rescue, Inc. exists to rescue Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers across the USA, finding loving, forever homes.
Our Vision:
- To provide shelter (short or long term foster care), veterinary care, comprehensive evaluations, and training (rehabilitation) that provides for a good quality of life for homeless, stray, abandoned, abused, and neglected Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers of any age or health condition while in our care;
- To work with shelters and other rescue organizations to rescue what is believed purebred Tollers, and also those dogs who are sufficiently of Toller type including temperament to be considered adoptable as Toller Mixes;
- To provide, through a careful adoption process, permanent loving homes for displaced and unwanted Tollers, whether young or old, sick or healthy;
- To seek to reduce the numbers of unwanted, abused and neglected Tollers through rehabilitation, education, and adoption;
- To counsel Toller owners on behavior problems to prevent Tollers from needing to be rescued;
- To educate shelters and other rescue organizations about the Toller breed;
- In accepting dogs into our program, preference is given to those facing euthanasia, to those living in shelters or pounds, and to those in untenable living situations. We also attempt to accommodate owner turn-ins, to keep those dogs from facing such fates and to allow them to go from one home to another with less disruption;
- To educate dog owners and the general public about responsible pet ownership, including spaying/neutering, training and humane care of Tollers and other pets;
- To cooperate with state and local authorities in the enforcement of laws related to the welfare of dogs;
- To protect the Toller from careless breeding in order to preserve the excellent qualities of this breed for future generations.
Toller Rescue, Inc. gladly cooperates with other rescue groups to aid in the placement of Tollers into the appropriate loving family environments they deserve. One of our main goals is to have enough volunteers and foster homes across the United States that all states will have enough volunteers that even small towns and shelters will have someone to call when a Toller is in need.
TRI Directors
President, Laura White
“Rescue, to me, reminds me of The Starfish Story. “While we might not be able to save them all, we made a difference for that one”.”
Vice President,
Sue Jones
What Dog Rescue Means to Me
“Where do I start? For me rescue is more than just saving a dog”. It is being the person my dog thinks I am. Rescue means going above and beyond to do what is always best for the dog.
Whether it is paying for a veteran’s dog’s surgery so they can stay together, providing dog food to help a family, or trying holistic ways to help a dog heal mentally and physically.
Rescue means never asking a family to surrender their dog to receive help. Rescue is also about appreciating the entire community that helps in the process, including the breeders who are responsible for their dogs. Showing compassion and being a good steward of the breed, allows this rescue to have success.
At times, it can be very hard emotionally and logistically—especially when it is not just one dog to save but 20 or more at a time. Despite hurdles, we face the challenges head-on because we know we have a great support base. Add a little bit of Fate, each dog we rescue finds the perfect home, even though she can be slow at times, as some fosters can attest.
I owe so much to my first Toller, Sadie. She turned my life upside down. Through her, I discovered a whole new world of dogs. It gave me a purpose and an opportunity to make a difference that I never expected. She welcomed foster dogs into our home with a firm greeting to behave while in her home. So, Lucy, Buddy, Birdie, Callie, Pix, Daisy and her 8 puppies all behaved until they went to their new homes.
Rescue is a challenge, and not always pleasant. There are times when we have to make decisions that are good for the dog, but leaving us feeling like we failed. Those decisions are always learning opportunities that keep us grounded in always doing the right thing even when it is hard to do.
I want to take a moment and thank all of those who have helped in small and large ways to help keep this rescue running. Without all of you, we would not be successful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Secretary, Sarah Kaptenia
Treasurer, Tamra Persing
Wendy Flemister Shairs
Rescue Coordinator & Health Liaison
Wendy brings her rescue experience to this position as well as a vast amount of holistic knowledge to help our rescues.