A dog named Finn was rescued from the streets of Puerto Rico and eventually found a permanent home with Friedman after initial adoption plans fell through. Friedman, who is also an animal rescue advocate, adopted Finn in 2018 and they have been traveling around the country together in his van ever since. As part of their monthly road trips, they work with local animal welfare organizations to raise awareness and celebrate the important work they do for animals and humans in their communities. Finn’s rescue story and their adventures are often documented on The Døgist.
Our efforts to help animals extend beyond just providing a large grant thanks to the amazing support of the #teamfinn community, which now amounts to over $21,000 each month. Through the use of the Patreon platform, we are able to raise funds and contribute 100% of what we collect to animal welfare work. We don’t keep any of the money we raise. In addition to their work in aiding animals, Finn and Friedman also enjoy spending time with their families during holidays. However, their compassionate hearts never rest, as they can’t resist helping any animals in need, even while on personal road trips. During a recent vacation in Mexico, Friedman discovered six dogs – three adults and three puppies – who were alone and desperately in need of love and care while exploring a deserted beach on the Baja Peninsula.
I had a strong feeling that the dogs were in need of assistance. They followed us everywhere around the campsite, appearing in front of our vehicles and greeting us every morning. It was important for me to find a way to resolve the situation and not leave the dogs stranded. With the help of my connections in the rescue community, I was able to arrange for two of the abandoned puppies to be taken in by The Animal Pad and Los Adoptables. However, I couldn’t shake off the image of the remaining four dogs on the beach, hungry and covered in ticks. Upon returning to the coast, I took it upon myself to rescue them. The dogs were initially scared and wary of people, likely due to the infrequent feeding they received from occasional campers. It was clear that they needed help, and I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving them there to die.
Friedman had a stroke of luck when two of the four dogs he rescued turned out to be pregnant within 24 hours of reaching The Animal Pad in San Diego. Many people believe that these dogs were waiting for the right moment to feel safe and protected. In total, 16 puppies were born between the two dogs, setting a new record for The Animal Pad. Friedman was amazed by the incident and felt that it reinforced his belief in the need to support and help these animals. He acknowledged that while unpleasant and distressing things may arise in this field of work, it is important to remember why we do it and to experiment with new tactics. All of the dogs rescued by Friedman have found permanent homes, including the two beach puppies who spent time with Friedman and Finn before being adopted.
You don’t need money or social media to make a positive impact on an animal’s life. All you need is empathy and determination. Learning to climb a mountain can be a great achievement, just take it step by step. Friedman hopes that people will learn from this inspiring story. Helping animals follows the same principle – one dog or cat at a time can make a difference, even if the crisis seems overwhelming. If you rescue just one animal, it will always be worth it.
