animal better days

NO MORE BAD DAYS

Two by Two is committed to giving animals better days

By Jeana Durst

Two by Two began organically almost 20 years ago when the organization’s founder and executive director, Sonya King, moved to Helena. “Not long after I had moved to Helena from Montgomery, I saw a stray dog that was nursing puppies out in traffic looking for food—it just haunted me,” she says. So she pulled over and started knocking on doors that night but could not find an owner. What she did find was a litter of puppies that also needed help. After that, she began to pick up more and more local dogs in crisis. “I had no clue it was such a big need,” she says.

King ended up talking to the mayor of Helena, who manages animal control, and asking what could be done about this problem. “He took a key out of his pocket and told me I could use our city kennels anyway I’d like to,” King says. After that, the community started rallying around her, donating fencing, a new roof, and some necessities. “We created a safe place for the animals until we could get them into foster homes, and the mayor gave me carte blanche to enact my own policies. That very day King made an important decision. “I declared that everything would live and nothing would die and that the animals in our city would be safe until they were rehomed,” she says.

Since then, Two by Two has rescued animals in 30 states and recently began rescuing horses and donkeys as well. “In 2019 we saved 750 animals from death, and this year we are on track to double that number,” King says. Their internal mantra— no more bad days—inspires their work and continued growth.

What sets Two by Two apart from other rescue organizations is that they do not shy away from animals in really bad shape needing extensive medical care. “Our hearts are wired for the really tough cases, and we like to go the extra mile for them so that they know love and have some life before they die,” King says. As a result, their number one expense is medical care. Two by Two won’t discriminate against an animal because of age, breed, or condition. “We will raise the money to give a 12-year-old dog hip surgery,” she says.

Their model is foster-based, which means every animal they rescue goes into a foster home. “Placing animals in homes is a best practice … the animals fare better, rehab better and learn home life quicker when they are actually in a home,” King says. She has an important message for people who might want to help but wonder if they have the ability to commit to fostering. “When people think of fostering, they should understand it doesn’t always entail a long commitment; sometimes if you just emergency foster for 2 to 3 nights so we can figure out logistics for an animal, you can change that animal’s entire future.”

For those looking to adopt, Two by Two can arrange to have a meet and greet with an animal you are interested in upon filling out an application on their website. There are so many ways to help, including volunteering and donating. For more information, visit twobytworescue.com.