About Us

Jonnie Hart [Click image for larger view]

By Jonnie Hart, Founder & President

In 1986, my husband and I were a foster home for a rescue group that rehomes both cats and dogs. About that same time, my friend, Mary Gaffney of Great Dane Rescue, who was also a foster mom with the same group, asked if I wanted to attend a meeting of a group called C.A.P.E.R., an umbrella group for breed-specific rescues. I went, not realizing where it would lead me.

After the meeting, Mary suggested I start a Miniature Schnauzer Rescue service since I had a Schnauzer and was acquainted with the Portland Miniature Schnauzer Club. By then, I had already rescued and adopted out the first rescue Schnauzer. (His name was Rascal P. Coldnose.) At the time, I thought it couldn't get too big – Schnauzers don't have litters of 12 and who would let go of their Schnauzer anyway?

The Beginnings of Miniature Schnauzer Rescue

I attended a Portland Miniature Schnauzer Club (PMSC) meeting in the spring of 1988 and presented the idea of forming a rescue group. The Club thought it was a good thing and generously offered me seed money to start the service. Mary provided our first Adoption Agreement and Release forms. As I recall, we just change "Great Dane" to say "Miniature Schnauzer" on those forms. Fortunately, there were a couple of PMSC members who volunteered to help foster our dogs.

Early Years

Our little group continued to grow, placing about 12 dogs a year. After awhile, the other volunteers dropped by the wayside and in 1995 I adopted a Miniature Schnauzer to Roz Shroyer who happened to mention she would like to help Rescue in some way. Poor Roz . . . I became a first-time grandmother that spring and was out of town for several weeks. Roz was my right-hand person during that time. Then my husband's work sent us to Arizona for 8 months. This was around the same time the Internet began to really take off and so did Roz with the Rescue! At the time, we were listed in the Northwest Breeders Directory and shortly after our contact information was put on the web. I had told Roz when she agreed to temporarily take over Rescue, that we usually placed about 12 dogs a year. During the time I was gone, Roz placed an astounding 58 dogs, including two Standard Schnauzers!

We are Incorporated!

Roz and I bumped along for another 4 years and then Rescue had a real growth spurt by adding three wonderful foster homes. By now, we are placing about 30 dogs a year. In 2000, we incorporated as Miniature Schnauzer Rescue, Inc. and became a real tax-exempt, nonprofit organization with board members and all.

In 2004 we placed 40 Miniature Schnauzers. In 2005, it exceeded 50 dogs. There are about 14 of us who provide loving foster care for our dogs and three others who volunteer their time by safely transporting our dogs. Sixteen years later, it is still a rewarding experience for me to help this wonderful breed and work with our volunteers. If it weren't for our wonderful volunteers and their support, I am sure we would never have come this far.

Why not give a Schnauzer a forever home today?