White Highland Terriers Find New Home With Oklahoma Westie Rescue

By Rick Wells, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Whether it's a case of over breeding or the poor economy or something else altogether, animal rescue groups are rescuing more dogs than ever before.

The head of the Oklahoma West Highland Terrier rescue group is up to her knees in little white and black dogs that need homes.

Meredith Butcher runs Oklahoma Westie Rescue and she's got a house full.

"We rescue Westies, Scotties, and Cairn Terriers," said Meredith Butcher.

Butcher said Oklahoma Westie Rescue branched out to the other breeds because they didn't have groups of their own. Rescue groups like this one save dogs from the uncertain future of an animal shelter. Over the past five years they have rescued and adopted out more than 800 dogs.

"This last year has been our worst," Butcher said. "We are on track to adopt out 300 this year."

There are a number of reasons why. First, because they are small and cute they tend to be over bred. But the economy is also a reason.

"People are losing their jobs, or having to move to smaller places," she said.

Butcher said the Oklahoma Westie Rescue has more than 100 volunteers in eight states. They have placed dogs in homes all over the country.

The dogs tend to dig because they're varmint hunters. They are great dogs for children but not really young ones who tend to pull ears and tails. They are trainable but they do have minds of their own.

Butcher said she heard a breeder in Southern Oklahoma is going out of business, with half a dozen or more dogs to place.

Soon she really will be up to her knees in hungry little mouths to feed.

If you're interested in adopting a dog, visit the Oklahoma Westie Rescue website.