The Bruce Project

(The Boston Rescue Ultimate Construction Endeavor)

What is the BRUCE Project? (Skip to Shelter plans | Help us)

We named this project in honor of Wanda's, Founder and Director of ABTR, Boxer boy Bruce (1994-2008) without whom ABTR would not have come into being. Bruce considered all the Bostons to be "his babies". Every dog that walks through ABTR's doors are considered Bruce's babies even though he is gone because his love of the Bostons is what keeps Wanda going.

It all started when Wanda got on boxer chat lists to talk about Bruce. There she learned of rescue. When she decided to get another dog as a friend for Bruce, rescue was the way. Wanda, and her husband Gareth, adopted his 12 year old best Boxer buddy, Irish Blaze of Glory. Then the decision was made to honor Wanda's beloved Scamper, a Boston Terrier, from her childhood. They contacted North Texas Boston Terrier Rescue, were approved, and then the foster mom of the 2 elderly Bostons with heart issues that Wanda had applied for, decided that she couldn't let them go.

Wanda and Gareth were referred to Oklahoma Boston Terrier Rescue Society. Once Wanda adopted Mr. Stubbins, the little demodex BT mix, Sally, the Director of the rescue, convinced Wanda to foster for her. Wanda learned the ropes and met Heidi, who is now ABTR Fundraising Chair. They met Micah, who is now ABTR VP, when she adopted 'Jerry' from Wanda. The 3 ladies decided to form a rescue and American Boston Terrier Rescue was born.

This project was dreamed of when they first started. Originally, they wanted to have an 'old dogs home' so old dogs no one wanted would have a place to come lay by the fire, be loved, well cared for and be able to die knowing they were loved. But as the rescue grew, the dreams grew as well. Now the dream is of a small shelter with plenty of office space to grow and do projects in, storage, a bathroom, a quarantine room, indoor and covered outdoor kennel space so volunteers can help us with their care. They hope to one day also have the 'old dogs home' in addition to the shelter.

Over the years of doing rescue, they have seen rescues haphazardly build a shelter. Within a few years, the rescues are having to remodel and rebuild costing them more funds. The decision was made to use a professional kennel builder. Materials specially designed to withstand the repeated urinations, wetness from cleaning with bleaches, dogs trying to escape and just general heavy duty wear and tear that a kennel has to deal with on a daily basis would be used. Hound Quarters was chosen because of their workmanship, their designs, and the way their kennels are holding up after several years of use.

Hound Quarters estimated the turn-key cost on this particular kennel at $392,160. More will still need to be raised for the fixtures, etc. This is the cost of the building alone. Our goal is to raise $400,000 for the kennel. We already own the land to build on.

Our Public Relations Chair, Brooke Alexander, and our Fundraising Chair, Heidi Trimpe, will be working on different fundraisers to raise the monies to build the shelter for our Bostons. With this shelter we will be able to care for more dogs and utilize our volunteers better. This will be a dream come true for us.