ESRA a spaniel’s best friend

It’s Kathy Armstrong to the rescue. If you’re an English springer spaniel, you’ve got a friend.

On call any time day or night, Armstrong is the Idaho and Washington volunteer coordinator for the nonprofit English Springer Rescue America organization. Armstrong, a Post Falls resident, and her husband, AJ, own two springers, Hawkeye, who is 7, and Maggie, 6.

ESRA is a national referral and foster care placement organization for English springers. The all-volunteer group has no paid staff or facility, and all donations go toward veterinarian care for the dogs. Their mission is to provide foster care and adoption referral services to humane societies, private shelters and animal control facilities nationwide for English springers that have been impounded. So far this year ESRA has rescued 88 dogs.

Tough economic times have increased the number of homeless dogs, Armstrong says.

“We have seen changes because of the economy,” she says. “Two of our recent rescue dogs came from people who were homeless, and many others came to us because of lost jobs and moves.”

To help ESRA’s financial situation, Post Falls’ Capone’s Pub and Grill, 315 N. Ross Point Road, will host a “Yappy Hour” Tuesday from 8 to 10 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from food and beverage purchases will benefit the dog-rescue group.

Armstrong says ESRA takes any springer that needs help, as long as the dog has a good temperament.

“We’ve taken 3-month-old pups and 12-year-old senior dogs, as well as dogs with major medical issues and broken bones,” she says.

While in foster care, the dogs are spayed, neutered, fully vaccinated, tested for heartworm, and their health and temperament are constantly evaluated. Basic obedience training is also provided when needed.

“We have people waiting to adopt, but we search very hard to find the right fit for each dog,” Armstrong says. “It is not a first-come, first-serve decision.”

Adopting a springer requires a completed application, which helps the organization match the dog to a person’s individual lifestyle and household. A volunteer then contacts the adoptive family, makes a home visit, and checks a reference who can speak to the person’s responsibility as a pet owner.

ESRA has never refused to take any springer from the shelter, according to Kristi Williams, Post Falls animal control officer.

“Most of them come in with severe medical issues and Kathy Armstrong is always working to get them vetted and into foster care as soon as possible,” Williams says. “The organization is fantastic and the volunteers are incredible. In my opinion, ESRA sets the standard for rescue in this area.”