Website Design and Upkeep Donated By Lynn Spohr and Adamo Graphics
Our focus is to provide for the safety of Bullmastiffs in need as quickly as possible by getting them into our foster care program.
Our goal is to address the dogs' veterinary needs (spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchipping, heartworm testing and any other medical needs specific to each dog), and facilitate their placement into a permanent home as soon as they are well enough for adoption. During the time they are in foster care, they will be evaluated so that we can determine the type of home best suited to each particular dog.
An important part of this effort will involve educating prospective adopters (as well as the general public) regarding the characteristics and temperament of the Bullmastiff breed.
Fundraising to cover the activities of Bullmastiff Rescuers, Inc. will be a critical part of our undertaking. There are a multitude of challenges faced by all animal rescue groups and by Bullmastiff rescue groups in particular. While transportation, vet care and foster care are critical to the process for aiding any breed of dog, they are magnified for large breed dogs where space concerns are greater, breed experience becomes more important, understanding the temperament of working breed is vital, and where veterinary expenses increase exponentially due to sheer size and the complexity of the various health issues typically affecting Bullmastiffs.
We also battle the stigma of a "bull-breed" and the often punitive breed-specific legislation In parts of the country, and we plan to work diligently to promote a greater understanding of our particular breed as well as encouraging our adopters to seek continued training for their dogs, including participation in events like the AKC's Canine Good Citizen Program and other venues that promote responsible dog ownership.
Our three founding members have extensive, in·depth experience with the breed and also with rescue efforts. We have a deep understanding of the intricacies of launching and maintaining a large-breed rescue effort, as well as a grasp on the importance of cost control and fund-raising issues. Donations to help can be sent to BRI PO Box 16, Pottersville, NJ 07979
Snail Mail:Bullmastiff Rescuers, Inc.
PO Box 16 Pottersville, NJ 07979
Email: brinc2@verizon.net
Board of Directors
Andrea C. Kelly, President & Treasurer
PO Box 16, Pottersville NJ 07979
Andrea Kelly has been involved in the Bullmastiff breed since 1990, and specifically with rescue since 1995. Until the formation of Bullmastiff Rescuers, Inc., she was the Regional Coordinator for the Rescue Service of The American Bullmastiff Association, responsible for New Jersey, southern New York State, the five boroughs of New York City, and Long Island, the eastern half of Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland. She has spearheaded fundraising efforts, and worked diligently to develop and nurture relationships with municipal and private shelters in this area, as well as with other rescue groups. Under her guidance, the ABA rescue group was one of the first accepted and approved by the NYC Mayor’s Alliance for Animals, and she has maintained a close working relationship with that organization. As regional Coordinator, she oversaw the acceptance, foster care, and evaluation of 100+ Bullmastiffs annually, and coordinated their vet care and ultimate placement with their adoptive families.
As a Bullmastiff owner and breeder, Ms. Kelly has owned, bred, and/or personally trained several history-making dogs. Her pets not only compete in the conformation ring, they are active and successful competitors in agility, obedience and rally, some have worked as therapy dogs, others have expanded their skills to include water work and sheepherding. Several have appeared in TV commercials and/or print advertisements, and several have been featured in training books and videos as well. Ms. Kelly is an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and has judged sweepstakes at a number of regional specialties across the country. She has co-chaired national specialties and regional specialties on several occasions. She has long-standing relationships with local vets and has worked hard to obtain premium vet care at discounted rates for rescue dogs, not only from “general practitioners” but from board certified specialists as well. Because of her presence in the “working arenas”, she has access to many well-regarded trainers and behaviorists too, so there are many professionals she can call upon for help and advice in the event of a medical, training, or temperament problem with a dog in the care of our rescue organization.
Prior to moving to a small horse farm in New Jersey to pursue an equestrian lifestyle, Ms. Kelly was a Vice President in the Institutional Money Management area of US Trust, and before that she was a Vice President and institutional portfolio manager at the private investment firm of Scudder, Stevens & Clark. In each of these positions, she was responsible for devising and executing investment strategies for institutional portfolios worth several billion dollars.
Dr. Scott Hoffman, Vice President
1539 Old Hillsboro Road, Franklin TN 37069
Dr. Scott Hoffman is a Clinical anesthesiologist and Medical Director of Vanderbilt's Operating Rooms. In his spare time he is the Secretary of the Bullmastiff Wellness Foundation. He has owned Bullmastiffs and French Bulldogs for over 13 years including show dogs and rescues. Scott has developed a network of rescue volunteers that work together to identify, pull, rehabilitate and place Bullmastiffs needing new homes. He has also worked closely with community animal shelters and animal control officers. Dr. Hoffman has evaluated and placed 100+ Bullmastiffs in adoptive homes.
Scott has nursed many dogs back to good health from having heartworms and various other afflictions. All of the dogs that pass through Scott’s home are individually special.
SK Calkins, Secretary
845 North 5th Street, Philadelphia PA 19123
SK Calkins was born and raised in southwestern Idaho and moved to the east coast to pursue her education and career path. During her 15+ years in healthcare she served as Assistant Director at the Barolat Pain & Paralysis program in the Neurosurgery Department at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. She was elected to serve as secretariat during the formation of the International Neuromodulation Society and later as Executive Director. For the past 10 years she has been on the staff at the Community College of Philadelphia as Director of Enterprise Solutions for the Information Technology Department.
SK's love for large breed dogs has been a lifelong passion. She enjoys being actively involved in the foster program and has assisted in the rescue, care, rehab and placement of many Bullmastiffs in need with American Bullmastiff Association. SK has always had a special place in her heart for older dogs and those with extensive medical issues. One of her long-term projects has been Tiny Tim, a little guy who first came to her at 4 months with a withered, deformed leg. After amputation of that limb, and a successful rehab and placement, Tiny Tim landed in SK's care once again as he battles through yet another surgery to address a fractured hip. His road to recovery was a long one, with months of constant care and physical therapy, but SK did whatever was necessary to get this bubbly brindle youngster another shot at happiness. He is the proud new resident of a Delaware shore house and is a fixture in the community – he’s considering a run for Mayor.