VISION & MISSION
We envision a time when every dachshund in Georgia has a loving home for its entire life. We believe that the welfare of our companion animals is an indication of the health of our society. We see the current welfare of our companion animals as a disease.
To treat the symptoms of this disease, we rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome dachshunds in need. To treat the causes of this disease, we educate the public on compassionate dog guardianship of any breed. We want to have a deep, direct impact in a limited geographic area, rather than a small impact in a large geographical area.
DOG WELFARE
We put the welfare of our dogs first. We will not take in a dog that we cannot properly care for.
OUR GIFTS
Each of us contributes what we most love to do so we maintain our enthusiasm over the long term. We get through the hard stuff together.
POSITIVE EXAMPLES
We believe that people learn through experiencing the positive, not from being lectured or judged. Our education materials and methods will reflect that value.
FOCUS
We believe that a small group can make a deep impact in a limited geographic area. We take care to maintain our focus so that our time and resources are spent making that deep impact.
FRIENDSHIP AND FUN
We are volunteers. We value each other and the contribution we each make. We stay motivated by making sure that we enjoy working together and having fun.
COMPASSION
For the dogs, of course, but also for each other and for the people and organizations we want to educate.
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
We raise as much as we spend. At least ninety cents of every dollar is spent directly on medical care for dogs.
REPLICABILITY
We document our processes, so that our successes can be replicated with other groups. In this way we can have a broader positive impact over time.
VALUES AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES
MEET OUR BOARD MEMBERS
Michele Mazzei
A lover of animals of all types- spineless, scaly, slimy, a special connection with dogs. With over 25 years in rescue, she was one of DREAM's original 6 founding board members in 2005. Much has changed in rescue through the years, but the need for rescue remains. One constant is her belief that dogs make us better people. DREAM is making the world better, one dog at a time. By working with DREAM, I help give long dogs another chance at life while enriching the lives of humans they encounter. As people learn and experience life in the company of other animals, we discover things about ourselves and become more compassionate about other humans and all living things.
Kim Hembree
My complete adoration of dachshunds began when I was in kindergarten, and my family adopted our first dachshund. Her name was Schatzi, a standard black & tan dachshund probably mixed with a little beagle or something else. I was hooked!!!! 2nd one came to my parent’s home when I was in college. Then when I got married, of course, I had to have one of my own, right?!?
Who am I? I'm an accountant, dog mom, & foster dog mom (among other things.) I live on the north side of metro Atlanta & have a pack of dachshunds & other breeds. Currently, we have 5…4 weens & a fluffer nutter (non-dachshund.) My husband loves the dogs just as much as I do. I can’t imagine my home without them. Our pack members help us a lot with the fosters, providing the confidence that everything is going to be all right. I also love a challenge. Give me the paralyzed dogs, the sick dogs, the quirky ones. Let me show the world how this dog can blossom & thrive, not only in my home but yours too. I started fostering due to my love of the breed & seeing so many dogs in need. People often ask “How can you do it – how can you let them go? Well,…this is like having a never-ending family that continues to grow with each adoption (or as we call them, “graduations”.) When I see the smiles on the faces of the dog & the new family, I know I am doing the right thing. I am merely a bridge for that dog who needs a second chance as well as the family that is searching & yet to find their next pet. What could be more rewarding?!?
Cristina Dumitrescu
I was born in Romania and came to the US when I was 10 years old. I've lived in metro Atlanta ever since. For my daytime job, I work with a local non-profit helping the low-income community. In 2019 I lost my dachshund and wanted to get involved in fostering- so I found DREAM. I became a foster parent and adored every second of it; the cuddles, kisses, walks, and especially the adoptions. I loved fostering and DREAM so much that I wanted to do more than foster, so I joined the board. Being on the DREAM board has been a priceless experience. I have met and become friends with some amazing people, snuggled many dogs, and participated in many love-filled adoptions. I cannot wait to see how DREAM grows under the leadership of our amazing board members.
Cinda Hamilton
After working in the fitness industry for 20 years and selling designer clothing for 10, I now find myself in my 7th year of dachshund rescue. I am a wife, mother, grandmother, dachshund mom, and foster mom. My husband (who loves the long dogs as much as I do) and I have had 11 dachshunds of our own, and we have fostered over 25. People wonder how I’m able to foster and not fall in love and keep them all. I do fall in love with them and each one takes a piece of my heart, but I know that I must love them enough to let them go so I can save the next one. Rescue is what feeds my soul, and I believe caring for a pet makes us more compassionate, caring, and loving people. I am called to love and help dachshunds that find themselves lost, abandoned, abused, or suddenly without their human through no fault of their own. Their eyes and tails tell it all. Few things bring more joy to my heart than seeing an emotionally broken or very sick little soul come out on the other side, carefully matched with a loving new family. When you take in an animal someone else considered trash and see them smile for the first time, it changes you. Watching the memories of their horrible past slowly fade as they begin to trust changes you. To see their heads no longer fall downward in fear when you reach to pet them changes you. And to look deep into their eyes and tell them it’s going to be ok right before they cross the rainbow bridge – it all changes you. These dogs give me far more than I could ever give them. I am the one that is truly blessed, and I’m fortunate to be a part of the DREAM TEAM!