Great dogs, big problems

Great Danes don’t have to be a big problem, but owners sometimes decide they don’t want them anymore.

Finding a new home can be tough, and that's when a local organization can come to the rescue.

The Southwest Florida Great Dane Rescue doesn’t have a location. It’s a network of five board members and anywhere from two to eight foster volunteers who coordinate together to take care of abandoned Danes. The group takes in between 50 and 65 dogs a year.

The rescue was founded by East County resident Connie Borwick and Riverview resident Valerie Clows in 1996.

Although the group services the entire state of Florida and even into Georgia, many of its board members and fosters are located in Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

“We’re always desperate for fosters,” Borwick said.

East County resident Heike Caspary joined the rescue’s efforts about three years ago after agreeing to foster a dane for a

friend, and quickly fell in love with the breed and the mission.

Now, she’s become the group’s event coordinator. Since stepping up to the role, she’s started the group’s biggest annual fundraiser, Dogtoberfest.

Caspary and her husband are originally from Germany, and with their love of dogs, the event idea came naturally last year. To save on expenses, Caspary hosts the fundraiser at her own home. Most of the food and drinks are donated or at least discounted, she said.

“I got sucked into the rescue, and came up with the big fundraiser idea,” she said. “Last year was a blast. This year I started planning in January.”

Saturday, Nov. 7, marked the group’s second annual Dogtoberfest. The event had about 150 people attend and made $7,000 for the nonprofit.

Those funds are important for a rescue that specializes in the care of extra-large dogs.

Borwick said one of her goals for her rescue is to start developing educational programs for people when they consider to adopt a Great Dane. Often, the owner is not prepared for such a large breed of dog.

She said Great Danes are not usually suited for the average homeowner because they need exercise and training.

“They’re not Scooby Doo and Marmaduke. They’re active puppies, they don’t just lay around,” she said. “You have 150 pounds running around.”

The vet bills can be expensive. Borwick said many of the rescued dogs are heartworm positive because the preventative medicine can cost $30 per pill or more.

“They are a really great dog, but you have to be ready for them and understand what you’re getting into,” she said.