Above and Beyond English Setter Rescue and New Beginnings Greek Sporting Dog Rescue have aligned efforts to rescue English Setters both internationally and within the U.S.
The agreement between Above & Beyond English Setter Rescue (A&BESR) and New Beginnings Greek Sporting Dog Rescue, both volunteer-operated non-profit organizations, allows both groups to further enhance efforts to rescue setters in Greece and continue efforts to rescue dogs in the U.S.
“Every day throughout the world, dogs suffer from abuse and neglect.” said Eileen Gibson, A&BESR board president. “Since our humble beginnings in 2004, Above and Beyond English Setter Rescue has rescued over 3,300 setters from dire situations, from both the US and Greece, and adopted them into loving forever homes. As we officially celebrate our 20th anniversary, we are excited to be working with New Beginnings. Together, we will continue our mission to rescue English Setters in both the U.S. and Greece!”
“New Beginnings is the official rescue partner in Greece for Above and Beyond English Setter Rescue, and the two organizations will work together to continue saving Greek setters and find them wonderful forever homes in the USA,” according to Jennifer Cloherty, head of New Beginnings and former head of A&BESR’s international rescues. “A&BESR has a strong foundation and team, and the Greek setters have so few advocates or options, so I need be the voice for them.”
A&BESR, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is celebrating its 20th year of saving English Setters from confinement, abusive, dangerous or cruel situations. The group is also committed to “life” saving decisions for setters at risk of euthanasia regardless of age or condition. Members have a common mission to save, rehabilitate and re-home setters in need, and to educate the public about care and training of the breed.
Since its inception, A&BESR has rescued over 3,300 dogs, including 269 in 2023. The group also rehomes setters who can no longer stay in their current homes for various reasons.
In 2017, A&BESR made its first rescue of dogs originally from Serbia and Greece thanks to efforts by Jennifer Cloherty and Alexandra Beswick. In subsequent years, Jennifer saw the need to work with partner groups in Greece to save abandoned or abused dogs.
In 2023, she founded New Beginnings Greek Sporting Dog Rescue, a non-profit organization, to specifically work to rescue English Setters and other sporting breeds and bring them to the U.S. When setters arrive in the USA, A&BESR volunteers work to provide safe and loving homes for the dogs.
All Greek setters will be pre-approved by A&BESR’s board before they can be added to the list of available dogs that is shared with U.S. foster families or foster-to-adopt families. A maximum of eight dogs per month will be available.
All international and U.S. rescues are placed in foster homes for evaluation before being available for adoption. All adopters are screened to ensure they and the dogs are compatible and to ensure the dogs are placed in loving homes that will be permanent placements.
Every year, hundreds of setters are rescued and saved from lives of abandonment, neglect and even torture. Because both organizations are completely volunteer run, they rely on contributions to fulfill their mission to give these dogs the lives they deserve. All donations to A&BESR go directly to operational costs and your contribution is tax deductible to the full extent permitted by law.
More information about A&BESR is available at www.esrescue.org https://www.facebook.com/aboveandbeyondesrescue and more information about New Beginnings Greek Sporting Dog Rescue is available at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551818229401
