UPDATED: Frank the pug finds a new home

This weekend’s Empty Shelter Project animal rescue fundraiser at Old Bridge Grooming was to save the mug of a pug named Frank, but shortly after posting the story on InsideNova.com's Facebook page, we found out he has a new home.

Frank, a 2-year-old pup who has lived in a crate kept in a mechanic’s shop for most of his life, was placed with a family by the woman who rescued him. 

Rachel Gilbert, the 20-year-old founder and executive director the rescue, recently took in Frank.

Over time, debris from repeated shop jobs accumulated in Frank’s eye and was never treated, resulting in glaucoma. Worse, the damage has been so extensive, the injured eye may have to be removed.

With veterinary bills piling high, Gilbert originally arranged a fundraiser at Old Bridge Grooming at 8 a.m. Saturday to help offset costs.

“Right now, we’re trying to raise money for a $600 bill from the eye specialist,” Gilbert said before Frank was placed. “We take in a lot of animals with health problems, but this is our main battle right now. We want to get him good vet care and finally find him a home.”

Now, the Empty Shelter Project will be raising money for a rescue car.

Gilbert said having funds to purchase a van would be helpful.

“I actually have a small Toyota Corolla, and I’ve been taking animals back and forth to adoption events since we don’t have a rescue car yet. There’s crates stacked in my car – I can’t see out the back window,” she said, laughing. 

Pet owners can drop off their dogs and cats from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. for services including a wash and dry, deshedding, nail clipping, nail painting and ear-cleaning – all for a donation of their choice.

“A lot of times, if you have a [Labrador] or other large dog, it might cost something around $40,” Gilbert said. “But we just want people to donate whatever they can to help out.”

Gilbert has been passionate about animals for some time. One of the biggest problems, she believes, is that people simply don’t spay or neuter their pets.

“There are so many animals in shelters, not because they’re unadoptable dogs, but because no one helps them and they’re put to sleep,” she said. “To me, it’s awful for any animal to go to the shelter or die because it doesn’t have a good home.

Since age 14 she has volunteered with animal groups and worked to start her own rescue by the time she was 19. Currently, the rescue is foster-based with no standalone shelter, though it’s one of Gilbert’s goals as the rescue continues to grow.

“I wasn’t thinking it would take off so well, but we’ve gotten a lot of responses,” she said. There are always lots of people giving up their pets, so we always have lots of emails and interest.”

Gilbert estimates The Empty Shelter Project has adopted out approximately 14 animals in its six-month existence.

As a student at Northern Virginia Community College, Gilbert is also considering a bachelor’s degree in biology or animal science. But whatever path she takes, she knows that animals will be in her future.

“It’s just what I love to do,” she said. “I always will.”

Donations are also welcome through PayPal at The Empty Shelter Project website, www.espnova.com, or by mailing a check or money order to 12611 Kempston Lane, Woodbridge, VA 22192.

Staff writer Tamika Matthews can be reached at 703-530-3909.