Darbster’s weekly feature highlights rescue dogs and cats that have been overlooked in New Hampshire animal shelters.

🚨 Big News from Darbster…

It’s true!
A very generous Darbster supporter has offered to match ALL donations made through the end of this year, up to $25,000!
Darbster is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, which means your donation is tax-deductible! Donate now to have your donation DOUBLED.

🐶 Rescue Dog of the Week: Sandy

Sandy is a 2-year-old mixed-breed bundle of love with a playful heart and a big personality!
Rescued from a busy South Florida shelter, this sweet girl is ready to leave her tough past behind and find a cozy forever home.
Sandy absolutely adores her toys, especially her stuffies, and her favorite game is fetch—she even has a funny habit of tossing her toy off the couch and “talking” to you until you join the fun!

Once she feels safe, Sandy’s silly grumbles, adorable quirks, and big heart will fill your days with laughter and love.


Sandy is looking for a calm, patient family who understands her need to go slow and steady.
She’s a little shy at first, but once she warms up, she’ll be your playful, cuddly best friend.
While she’s still learning to fully trust, Sandy rewards kindness with endless loyalty and affection.
She prefers a quieter home without younger kids or other pets, so she can soak up all the attention she deserves.


With her silly antics, loving personality, and those irresistible zoomies, Sandy is ready to wiggle her way into your heart and bring endless smiles to her forever family.

SANDY
2 years old • female
mixed breed • tan • 40lbs
Location: Darbster Doggy
109 Dover Road, Chichester

😺 Rescue Cat of the Week: Pewter
Dear Santa,
My name is Pewter. I heard that you make wishes come true.
I want you to know that I have been so good all year.


For Christmas, I hope you will bring me some Churu licky sticks.
I have tried them at the shelter where I live, and they’re very tasty.

I would also like to have a new scratching post.
I have done a very good job with the scratching post inside my kennel, and I am ready to work on something new.

But one skill that I do not have is invisibility. I try to hide behind my scratching post, but I suspect that the humans can see me anyway.
Just in case, please bring one invisibility cloak. Thank you.
Although I have not yet mastered invisibility, I am very good at loafing.
Unfortunately, because I live in a shelter, it’s been hard to find a human lap for loafing.
So I have one more request….


For Christmas, could you bring me a family?
I have been so polite while living in the shelter, but I need someone to cuddle, someone who can make me feel safe.
Sincerely,
Pewter
P.S. Please deliver my gifts to:
332 Kelley Street
Manchester, New Hampshire
There is no chimney, so you will have to use the front door. Street parking is available for the sleigh.


PEWTER
1 year old • female
Russian Blue shorthair • grey
Location: Darbster Kitty
332 Kelley Street, Manchester

😻 Happy Tails: Tally’s Transformation

This past summer, Tally was a ball of nerves. Between thunderstorms and fireworks, she was very stressed out.
Her family was going through a lot, too—one of her humans was battling cancer. They made the difficult decision to surrender Tally to Darbster.
After a couple of weeks in the shelter, Tally’s anxiety was clearly so severe that she would need to move in with a foster.
Luckily, the Frenzel Family had room in their Center Barnstead home (and in their hearts) for a girl who was desperately craving security and safety.
The Frenzel Family had previously adopted Bo, a rescue dog from Darbster—and it now seems that a best friend is just what Tally needed in her life.


At first, Tally was so anxious about her new surroundings that the Frenzel Family had to bring her along in the car whenever they went to run errands.
She needed reassurance that her new family would always be nearby and keep her safe.
Once Tally started to relax and feel more at home, the Frenzel Family realized a few important things:
- Car rides? YES, always.
- Food? YES. “She is such a pig!“
- Your chair? No, it’s Tally’s chair.


By the time Tally’s silly side started to shine, the Frenzel Family realized that they were totally in love. They decided to formally adopt her!
Sometimes Bo goes to daycare to play with his friends, but Tally is still working up the courage to try it out.
In the meantime, Tally has gotten comfortable staying at home alone when Bo is at daycare—HUGE progress for her.


Tally has even started going to a groomer all by herself, and she recently had a special holiday photoshoot!
Thanks to the patience and support of the Frenzel Family, Tally is getting braver and more independent with each day.
She is now looking forward to her very first Christmas with her new family.

🗓️ Upcoming Events
🍺 Dog Meet + Greet | Concord

Join Darbster this Sunday 12/15 at Feathered Friend Brewing in Concord!
Adoptable rescue dogs will be on location from noon until 3pm, standing by in the hopes that the cold winter winds of fate blow their new family into this delightful neighborhood brewery.
Whether you’re looking to adopt or you’re just that person who only hangs out with dogs, please drop by Feathered Friends and pay a visit to our furry friends.
💕 Volunteer Opportunities
Darbster is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that relies heavily on volunteers for many reasons, but especially because volunteers help socialize animals that might have a ruff backstory. By showing our rescue dogs and cats that they can trust strangers and that they will be safe—even during new experiences—their chances of adoption increase greatly. Volunteers are always welcome at any of Darbster’s three locations, and a few of our most pressing needs are highlighted below. If you have not volunteered with Darbster before, you can learn more about volunteering here.
🎅 Holiday Volunteers Urgently Needed

The holidays are upon us—and that means increased foot traffic at the Mall of New Hampshire.
While increased traffic offers a higher likelihood of adoptions, the crowds and noise can also be very stressful for our rescue animals.
Consequently, for the rest of this month we have an unusually great need for volunteer Greeters—the key to preventing any potential mishaps or issues.
We’re also very excited to offer a special incentive: COUPONS!!!
Yes, every completed Greeter shift earns you a 20% off coupon for retail items in the Darbster store!
Products available include pet toys, beds, clothing, treats, food, leashes, collars, and more–as well as jewelry for humans and other delightful items. This offers the pawfect opportunity to get your holiday shopping done at a big savings versus what you’d spend at a regular pet store.
And all the proceeds go to Darbster!
Volunteer Greeters are highly encouraged to bring a friend of loved one for this activity. No experience is necessary, and the role of Greeter is family-friendly and all-ages. Back-to-back shifts are also warmly welcomed (for double the coupons!).
If you’re able to sign up for a few shifts, click here. We’re very grateful for all the help we can get during this heavy shopping season.
About Darbster: Established in 2009, Darbster Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to reduce the number of animals euthanized in the Southern United States. Darbster identifies adoptable animals in “kill shelters” and transports them up to New Hampshire to find their happy fur-ever homes. Both cats and dogs are available, and Darbster operates three no-kill adoption facilities in the Granite State—two in Manchester and one in Chichester. Learn more about Darbster here. Readers can connect with Darbster Doggy on Facebook or Instagram, Darbster Kitty on Facebook or Instagram, and Darbster’s Mall of NH location on Facebook or Instagram. Additionally, tax-deductible donations are warmly accepted.