Stray Animal Adoption Program (SAAP)

The Stray Animal Adoption Program (SAAP) “is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that exists to rescue, protect, and provide care for at risk pets” based out of Newport, Kentucky.

Franklin posing for his 2nd birthday picture

Collage of some of my favorite pictures of Frank
Those of you who know [of] me, know that I am obsessed with Franklin, and our big guy turns two today. Our lives have gotten even better, more full of love, and funnier in the nearly two years since we got him, and we are so grateful that we were able to adopt through SAAP.
In honor of Franklin’s second birthday, here is a re-post about SAAP, an organization I hold near and dear to my heart:

It was really important to BK and me that we rescue, and SAAP not only has a fantastic model and philosophy, but its volunteers and fosters are all responsive, knowledgeable, and unbelievably helpful — even with the seemingly endless questions that are asked every single day on their Facebook page, and all of the questions that I had for the organization and his foster throughout the adoption process. Even after we adopted Franklin, the Facebook group has been a source for advice for animal owners everywhere — anything from pet-sitting advice, to what to do when your dog is sick or injured, to what people recommend to give them for food, and pet-friendly places you can take your animal(s).

The adoption process itself was relatively quick and easy. We originally submitted an application to rescue a two-year-old lab mix on another website and never heard back after the first response. With SAAP, the administrators and fosters were extremely responsive and helpful, and after submitting an application, meeting “Benedict” at one of the adoption event locations (they hold multiple events at various locations every weekend), and paying the adoption fee (prices vary, but a puppy was $160 and included spay/neuter, micro-chipping, and all vaccinations up to that point), Franklin Delano Bluth (nee Benedict) was ours. The entire process took about two weeks. I highly recommend perusing Facebook and their website to view all adoptable animals.

We are so thankful to have a place like SAAP where we were able to adopt Franklin and where people have the opportunity to rescue many wonderful dogs and cats in need of a good home, and I will recommend anyone and everyone adopt through them.

Unable to rescue or foster a pet in need? SAAP accepts donations year round, and you can volunteer in a number of ways with the organization. If you shop on Amazon, go to smile.amazon.com, where you can enter Stray Animal Adoption Program as the charity to which you’d like to donate a portion of your purchases — it’s not much, but every little bit helps!
While Frank’s birthday is today, we started celebrating last night with cake* and a new toy. I think he got a little too close to the candle last year and was traumatized. Wouldn’t even look at it this year.

Happy Birthday Franklin, and to his brothers and sisters from the Ocean’s 11 litter.
*Recipe for Grain-Free Peanut Butter Apple Doggy Cake:

• 1 egg
• 3 Tablespoons peanut butter
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce (or 1/2 apple, finely chopped)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Instructions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350º.
2. Mix all ingredients together until smooth.
3. Grease a ramekin or a jumbo muffin tin. Fill with batter.
4. Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
5. Let cool for a couple minutes, and then slide the cake out of the baking container. Cool on a cooling rack for 5 minutes before serving to your dog.
6. You may frost with extra peanut butter, if desired.