We love dogs! And we especially love rescue dogs beginning new lives in safe, loving homes. So, Momentum Realty is establishing a new, ongoing relationship with Florida Urgent Rescue (FUR) to help save the lives of dogs that have been abused or abandoned.

Under our new “No More Homeless Pets” program, Momentum will support the Jacksonville-based non-profit by becoming a regular monthly FUR donor. We will also be a sponsor for any current and past customers of Momentum or the former Brooks Group who adopt a FUR rescue dog, by paying their adoption fee of $150 for an adult dog or $225 for a puppy.

The relationship between Momentum and FUR, which rescues all ages and breeds of dogs that are in kill shelters and other urgent situations, dates back to late 2015. That’s when Momentum’s founders, Brittany and Jon Brooks, adopted their first rescue dog, a boxer mix named Thunder. “I grew up with dogs,” says Brittany, Momentum’s broker and sole owner. “So, when our lifestyle changed to give Jon more time working from home, we contacted FUR and asked its founder and Director, Mike Merrill, to help us choose a rescue dog.”

Brittany and Jon initially had their eye on another dog featured on FUR’s website, but after talking with Mike about their lifestyle and personalities, Mike recommended Thunder instead. “Mike is great; he wants to be sure the dog and the family are a good fit,” Brittany notes. “He matched us with the right dog; Thunder turned out to be perfect for us.”

A couple years later, Brittany and Jon adopted a second rescue dog, Ripley, a bull terrier mix, after Thunder had made it clear he wanted a dog friend. “Thunder would dig under the fence with our neighbor so he could get into their yard and play with their dog, Fred,” Brittany laughs. “When we looked at the pictures on FUR’s site, Jon saw Ripley and fell in love with her. She and Thunder love playing together.”

Momentum’s program comes at a crucial time for FUR. The organization does not maintain a kennel; potential families first get to “meet” the dogs from online photos and pictures. But FUR’s foster-based program incurs steep expenses for a dog’s medical care (sadly, too often associated with major injuries), spaying and neutering, as well as the foster family’s costs to provide a temporary home.

“This year, with the Corona virus, it has been terrible,” Mike says. “We support shelters that have been closed to the public and are not able to take more animals, but dogs are still getting dumped. Even worse, since non-essential surgeries were banned pretty much through-out the country due to lack of medical supplies, the strays were not getting spayed and neutered, so they are multiplying more. On top of all that, FUR’s fundraisers were cancelled because of the virus. So, everything is upside down, and this has been probably about as bad a situation as you could find.”

FUR also depends on community support for costs associated with its Florida Urgent Transport Program, which moves animals to safer locations, often less-crowded, out-of-state shelters. The greatest need for urgent transport is during hurricanes. “Without funding and donations, we can’t save lives, and that’s why what Momentum is doing is so critical for us,” Mike says. “When people donate to FUR, 97% of their donation goes to services for the dogs; only 3% go to costs such as admin and taxes.” FUR is an Adopt-a-Pet.com approved rescue.

Donations are tax deductible and can be made via a link on FUR’s website or by mail to Florida Urgent Rescue, Inc., 7643 Gate Parkway, #104-27, Jacksonville, FL 32256. In addition to donating cash or gift cards, donors can purchase needed supplies through the FUR wish-list on Amazon and through eBay for Charity; links are on FUR’s site.

FUR also greatly needs volunteers. The biggest need is for foster families to provide a safe, loving temporary home until the dog is adopted; FUR pays the costs associated with caring for the dog. FUR also needs volunteers to help with its Urgent Transport program, vet appointments, meet-and-greets with foster or adopting families, and adoption and fundraising events.

Contact Mike at 904-372-3930 or floridaurgentrescue@gmail.com to discuss volunteering opportunities. Momentum encourages our customers and associates to support FUR as a volunteer or donor. We also encourage those thinking about a canine family addition to consider adopting a rescue that is desperately in need of a loving family.

As Brittany notes: “Who doesn’t want to add a little love to their home?” Mike Merrill and FUR have a great story to tell. Be on the lookout for our companion story, Florida Urgent Rescue: Saving Dogs and Building Families, and explore FUR’s website or Facebook page.