Today we’d like to introduce you to Tina Marcella.
Hi Tina, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
PJ’s rescue was started in 2018 by 5 women. 3 of the women lived in Duluth and 2 lived in Texas. The group worked to help with the overwhelming population in Texas, by arranging transport and medical services to provide dogs a second a chance at life. At the time, leaving Texas was the only solution for these animals. As they continued their work, the need only became greater and the team decided to focus efforts in both communities individually. The two women in Texas are still rescuing animals today with their own organization and still maintain contact with PJ’s Rescue. Tina (Director) and Tracie (Treasurer) are still based in Duluth, and have continued to lead PJ’s Rescue.
If one thing is for certain, the need for rescue is continually growing. As the years have gone by, we have continued to make connections within our communities and have continued to open our doors to dogs and cats in need. We have tried to expand our foster network, fundraise for medical expenses, and opt-in to as many donation programs as we can because the need for rescue has never declined.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
PJ’s Rescue is solely a volunteer run rescue. With that being said, we have over 100 foster volunteers within our network, but each of these volunteers have their own demanding schedules to keep up with so we never have 100 homes that we can place animals in to at one time. We have to be flexible and work around everyone’s changing schedules and only take on the number of animals that we have homes for. Not taking in every animal that comes through our network is heartbreaking, but we continue to help as many as we can – this sometimes involves volunteers being up in the late-night hours and giving up precious time with family on weekends. There will probably never be enough time in each day or enough resources to go around, but our team is resilient and we continue to make ends meet even though we are working with limited resources and needs continue to grow.
As of just a couple of weeks ago, we moved into a new space in Superior, WI. Since our foster team is so vast, there are a number of supplies we keep on hand at all times and between food, beds, crates, etc. – we need quite a large space that’s pest-free in order to keep all of our supplies. Not only do we need a large storage space, but every pup is put through an intake process and this space is going to be an essential part of that process. We are extremely excited about this space and this new opportunity for our team to have a “go-to” location at any point throughout the day.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
PJ’s Rescue: the rescue is a solely volunteer-run rescue with women filling all leadership positions. Our crew of women are not only dedicated to animal rescue, but they are volunteering anywhere from 10-30 hours a week to the rescue on top of maintaining their daily schedules. Many of the women who help lead our rescue work full-time jobs and donate their time on top of maintaining a 40-hour work week. Not to mention – most of them foster animals nearly year-round which is a 24/7 job. They are beyond dedicated and we wouldn’t be an organization without them.
Tina: Ever since I was a kid I have been around animals. When people talk about their “life’s work” I feel that rescue is my calling, it is my life’s work, it is what I am meant to do and what I will continue to do for as long as I live. The busy weekends, sleepless nights, tear-filled days are all worth it if it means that an animal has been given a second chance at life.
What were you like growing up?
As a kid I was outgoing and always busy. We (my mom and I) moved to Duluth when I was in 3rd grade from Embarrass, MN. When we lived on the Iron Range we had horses and a variety of other animals. I remember spending many days with my horses and going to many different 4H shows. When we moved to Duluth we had a number of dogs and my mom spent many days working with them and I was right there beside her. I loved every dog who came through the door and I was always eager to help.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pjsrescue.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pjsrescuemn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pjsbullyrescue
