If you’re looking to adopt a dog, all you have to do is drive to 2120 Metamora Road and follow the sound of barking canines.
Although scientists haven’t come up with a universal bark-to-English translator, it’s a safe bet the dogs are probably saying, ‘We want a home! Please adopt us!?
Located between X-celsior Drive and Hummer Lake Road, next to the Oxford Overhead Door Company, the rescue league saves dogs from being euthanized at local animal shelters and finds them suitable homes.
Carole Powell has been operating the licensed, non-profit organization since 1990 and said it was her love of animals that motivated her to found the league. She also rescues horses.
‘I’ve always had a love for dogs,? said Powell. ‘I am in tune with them. Dogs seem to like me and I like dogs. It’s been an affinity for all my life.?
If you’re looking for a specific dog, chances are you’ll find what you’re looking for at the rescue league. The homeless pooches come in all shapes, sizes, colors and breeds. From St. Bernards and Chihuahuas, virtually all members of the canine size spectrum are there.
Powell said they choose dogs based on disposition and personality and not by breed. However, as a general rule of thumb, they don’t take in pit bulls unless they’re known to be friendly. ‘We try to save ones that will be the best for families and look for dogs that will be a good match,? she said. ‘Pit bulls are very hard to place.?
Most of the dogs Powell gets come from shelters throughout Michigan. She used to get them solely from Oakland County, but since the county has become one of the best counties around when it comes to saving animals, she tries to focus on other places where more help is needed.
‘I expand now to rural counties where the dogs aren’t as fortunate as they would be in Oakland County,? she said. Among those counties are Muskegon, Tuscola, Arenac, Sanilac, Macomb and, once in a while, Lapeer. ‘Anywhere there’s a need.?
Using a term coined by a former volunteer, Powell said they strive to give these pets a ‘New Leash on Life.?
Besides finding loving homes for the dogs, they also work with organizations to provide dogs for those in need, such as Leader Dogs for the Blind.
For Powell, the K-9 Stray Rescue League has been a labor of love. A former U.S. Marine who’s retired from General Motors and Electronic Data Systems, she started off taking in one dog at a time. At first, she gave them to neighbors, friends and family, but when they had all the dogs they needed, she adopted out other dogs that she took in. She bought the current facility in 1992, then got licensed.
The process took longer than she anticipated, and to finance what needed to be done, she borrowed against her retirement.
‘It took a long, long time to get the dogs here,? Powell recalled. ‘I was very naive at the time I bought it. It’s a really old house and it was in bad shape…I thought I was just going to be able to put up kennels.?
She quickly learned this wasn’t the case, and the house had to be brought up to code. By the time she made the necessary repairs, there wasn’t any money left for a kennel. So, she did things little by little until she was able to get things going.
From stories in the Oxford Leader and other newspapers to television news pieces, publicity has helped the rescue league garner donations and volunteers to care for the dogs. ‘I want to give credit to volunteers past and present,? she said. ‘We wouldn’t be where we are today if not for the devoted generous people who give of their time and money to help us.?
The league will soon be opening up more kennels to house dogs in.
Currently, volunteers are needed to help the rescue league with showing the dogs to potential owners.
Volunteers are needed for viewings Mondays and Thursdays from 1-4 p.m., and they’re also looking for people who can do viewings Fridays from 2-6 p.m. The league is also open every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They also show a group of dogs Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Petco on 4820 South Baldwin Road in Orion Township.
The K-9 Stray Rescue League’s website is at www.dogsaver.org/k9srl/. Their number is 248-628-0435. Donations can be made through the website or mailed to:

K-9 Stray Rescue League
4880 South Lake George Road
Metamora, Mich. 48455