New Santa Barbara nonprofit saves dogs from “Death Row”
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — A new Santa Barbara nonprofit is working to save dogs at risk of euthanasia while helping families keep their pets at home through training, education and community support.
Night Sky Rescue, founded by animal behavior specialist Marlena Piacenza, has been operating for just six weeks. In that time, Piacenza says the foster-based rescue has saved 11 dogs that were facing euthanasia because of medical or behavioral issues.
One of those dogs is Scout, a two-year-old chiweenie who was just hours away from being euthanized before Night Sky Rescue stepped in.
"They couldn't get hands on him. He wasn't handleable. He was growling. He was charging at the staff. So they didn't think he was adoptable," Piacenza said.
Piacenza spent years working in animal welfare before launching the nonprofit. She says her goal is to give overlooked dogs another opportunity while helping owners access resources before surrendering their pets.
"The dogs that I'm saving, they often are in their darkest time. And once I take them into Night Sky Rescue, I show them the light," Piacenza said. "I feel like they come from the darkest place, and I guide them to the light where they need to be."
Many of the dogs Piacenza works with have severe fear or behavioral challenges that can make them difficult to place in homes.
"The fearful dogs are my favorite," she said. "The ones that are really shut down, the ones that don't come out of the crate for months, they don't want any interaction. Teaching them from the very beginning, learning to have them trust people—the bond between a fearful dog and a person once they trust you is a bond that I can't explain."
In addition to rescuing and rehabilitating dogs, Night Sky Rescue offers free dog training support, microchipping events and educational resources designed to help families address behavioral issues before they lead to pet surrenders.
Like many foster-based rescues, the organization depends on volunteer foster families to continue its mission.
"The more fosters that we can get, the more space can open up so we can save more dogs," Piacenza said.
Night Sky Rescue is also seeking volunteers, donors and community partners as it expands its programs throughout Santa Barbara County.
The organization currently has three small dogs available for adoption, including Scout.
For more information about fostering, adopting or volunteering with Night Sky Rescue, visit the organization's website at www.nightskyrecue.org
