We Have Big News to Announce!
Changes are Coming to our Leadership
As of March 1, STROF will have a new President, several officers will be changing positions, and additional board members will be added.
It was with very mixed emotions that the Board recently accepted the resignation of Board President Dawn Dayringer. Dawn has served this rescue for 12 years, the last four and a half years as its President. Dawn has resigned for personal reasons but will remain active as a consultant to the board and volunteer as needed. The board is eternally grateful for the long hours and devotion Dawn has poured into making STROF the outstanding organization it is. While sad to see her leave her position, everyone is very happy that her commitment to STROF will not be ending.
Elected by the Board to serve as STROF’s new President is Mike DeFreeuw, who has served as the organization’s Vice President for the past several years. Diane Goodreau will
transition from Secretary to Vice President, and Colleen Rafatti will become the board’s new Secretary. Celia McKibben will continue on as Treasurer.
We wish Dawn all the best in the world. The new leadership team will undoubtedly have very big paw prints to fill. Our goal will be to always make you proud of us, Dawn.
We thank everyone for your support of our rescue and we look forward to having your continued involvement as we find perfect homes for Scotties all across Florida.
Meet STROF's New President
Introducing Mike DeFreeuw
Upon the resignation of STROF President Dawn Dayringer the board voted in Mike
DeFreeuw as its new President effective March 1. Mike was previously STROF’s Vice
President.
Here’s a little background on Mike…
Mike and his wife, Patti, have been Sarasota residents for the past 5 years, moving here
from Fort Wayne, IN. During their 44 years together they have been parents to numerous
rescued Scotties, including their current 2 year old - Sir William Wallace, better known as
Wally, who shares his domain with an 11 year old Westie sister, Kylie.
Mike has been involved with several animal groups back in Indiana. He served several terms as Board Member and President of the Allen County SPCA, developed the board of directors and later became a board member and President of H.O.P.E. for Animals - a low cost spay/neuter clinic serving northeast Indiana, and served as a board consultant for the Great Lakes Westie Rescue.
Mike’s background in marketing, public relations, communications, fundraising and special events will be a benefit to STROF as it moves forward in the years to come. Mike loves meeting our volunteers and fellow Scottie lovers and will look forward to meeting many more at future events and through our Scottie adoption process.
Please feel free to reach out with any of your questions about STROF and to volunteer to help us save Scotties across Florida.
About Us
Scottish Terrier Rescue of Florida (STROF) is a nonprofit dog rescue organization created in 2015 that is registered in the State of Florida as a charitable organization.
We are dedicated to the rescue and placement of homeless and displaced Scottish Terriers in Florida.
STROF policies and practices align with the Scottish Terrier Club of America Rescue Code of Conduct. In order to accomplish this mission, the team at STROF
focuses on the following activities:
1. Rescue- rescue all Scotties that have been lost,
abandoned, or voluntarily surrendered by its owner.
2. Intake- take full legal possession of the Scottie by
obtaining a signed release for owner surrender or
through placement partnerships of various shelters.
The Scottie is then transferred to one of our
approved foster homes.
3. Care- it is the intention of the rescue to obtain care
for any rescue Scottie prior to placement
in an adoptive home.
4. Placement- placement is at the discretion of STROF
and will be based upon the best match for the Scottie.
Scottish Terrier Rescue of Florida.
Our Mission
We are dedicated to the rescue and placement of homeless
and displaced Scottish Terriers in Florida. We take them in, love them like our own, and ensure their medical needs are taken care of. We serve as their advocate and their best interest is always primary in everything we do.
Most of the dogs in our program have been relinquished by their owners due to life changes such as death of the owner, illness, a new baby, relocation, divorce or economic hardship. Occasionally a dog may be transferred to us from a regional animal shelter. We rarely see very young dogs in our rescue. The average rescued Scottie is between 6 and 7 years of age. These older dogs make wonderful companions.
These dogs come to us from a variety of sources. Some are abandoned by their owners or are turned in to an animal shelter. Others are picked up as strays and never claimed. Occasionally, owners must give up their dogs because of medical problems, moving into retirement homes, divorce, or a new baby. Some become homeless because they outlive their owners. We take them in, love them like our own, and ensure their medical needs are taken care of.
Scottish Terrier Rescue of Florida (STROF) is an independent nonprofit all-volunteer charitable organization designated by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization (#47-4925001). Scottish Terrier Rescue of Florida is compliant with registration in the State of Florida under the Solicitation of Contributions Act (#CH45495).
Our by-laws are available for review upon request to floridascottiesrescue@gmail.com
Our Board of Directors & Volunteers
These individuals comprise the Board of Directors of the Scottish Terrier Rescue of Florida:
President- Mike DeFreeuw
Vice President/Placement Coordinator- Diane Goodreau
Treasurer- Celia McKibben
Secretary/Data Manager/Webmaster- Colleen Rafatti
Director at Large- Libby Henderson
Director at Large- Amy Snowden
Advisor to the Board- Dawn Dayringer
They are supported in their efforts by dozens of volunteers who assist with intake, transport, vetting, grooming, temporary and/or hospice foster and rehoming of our Scotties.
All dogs are fostered in volunteers’ homes-we do not have a shelter. Services are provided throughout Florida.
All rescue activities are performed by volunteers.
There are no paid staff.
Our rescue activities would not be possible without the help of our Board, volunteers, supporters, and donors.
Thank you all so much!!!
Need to Place or Re-home a Scottie? Start Here!
Please Contact Us Instead of a Shelter or Animal Control
If you have a Scottie you need to surrender or re-home, or know of a Scottie that needs help, please reach out to us immediately for assistance instead of bringing the dog to a shelter or giving them away to someone who may not have experience with the Scottie temperament. Giving a Scottie up to a local dog shelter or humane society is often not the best choice... dogs relinquished to such organizations may not be brought to our attention, may not promptly received needed veterinary care and, in some cases, will be euthanized.
We hope you will trust us. Our volunteers are quickly available to provide advice and support, and to work with owners to transition their Scotties to a safe situation. Through our many volunteers we provide assistance throughout the state of Florida.
Reach out to us anytime using any of the methods provided below.
