Triangle Beagle Rescue: The First Decade (1999–2009)
Written by Elizabeth (Lizz) Lyon
Summary: Founded in 1999 by Susan Hogarth and a group of dedicated women, Triangle Beagle Rescue (TBR) began with a mission to save abandoned and neglected beagles, often overlooked in shelters due to their hunting backgrounds and misunderstood traits. From the first rescue of a malnourished beagle-terrier mix named Kate, to overcoming resource challenges, building a network of volunteers, and launching successful fundraisers, TBR steadily grew over its first decade. With the help of committed volunteers and veterinarians, TBR rescued over 1,000 beagles by 2009, creating a lasting legacy of compassion and community support for the breed.
Humble Beginnings
Since humans first began domesticating animals, species like horses, goats, cats, dogs, rodents, and rabbits indiscriminately suffered from neglect and abuse. In response, the first animal shelter in the United States was established 155 years ago in Philadelphia, where it still operates today. Founded by just thirty determined women, the Women’s Animal Center was created with a mission to protect and improve the lives of animals through sheltering and adoption.
In a similar spirit, though on a smaller scale, the Triangle Beagle Rescue (TBR) was founded in 1999 by Susan Hogarth and a dedicated group of women. Concerned by the growing number of abandoned hunting beagles — many found deceased along roadways, or alive but suffering from heartworm, severe injuries, or pregnancy — they took action. Beagles also ended up in shelters for reasons beyond failed hunts or getting lost, largely due to a lack of public awareness about their natural traits and instincts. A beagle’s unyielding determination to follow a scent or steal a snack from an unattended plate rivals the drive of an Olympian in pursuit of gold.
At the time, the internet was in its infancy, and comprehensive resources like instruction manuals or how-to guides for starting a dog rescue simply didn’t exist. Undeterred, Susan reached out to Linda Forrest, founder of SOS Beagle Rescue in New Jersey and Tennessee, who became her mentor. This exchange of knowledge was the spark that ignited the effort. Susan set to work, creating adoption forms, establishing basic rescue procedures, and building a preliminary website for outreach. Just a few months later, Lisa Mason stumbled upon the site, contacted Susan, and quickly joined in the mission to rescue and foster beagles.
First Rescue and Tough Questions
The website soon led to the rescue of Kate, TBR’s very first beagle. However, Kate, a beagle-terrier mix, was far from an easy case. The severely malnourished dog suffered from advanced heartworm, a persistent cough, a protruding hernia, and a painful knee. Kate’s condition forced TBR to confront some tough questions: What resources do we have? How do we secure them quickly? And when should we use them — what criteria determine if a dog is a candidate for help? The harsh reality of Kate’s situation quickly highlighted the cost vs. benefit dilemma that all rescues face. No one would adopt a dog in her condition, but addressing her medical needs required both funds and a veterinarian — resources that the fledgling rescue didn’t yet have.
At the time, Susan’s beagle was a current patient of Dr. Sandy Albright’s at Crossroads Veterinary Hospital, so the familiar practice was a reasonable place to seek Kate’s treatment. However, three other rescues depended on Crossroads for their vet services, and adding a fourth was not yet desired by the busy vet practice. Despite this, Dr. Albright successfully treated Kate’s issues at a steep discount allowing Kate to be the first adopted TBR beagle.
Thankfully, Dr. Albright did agree to serve as TBR’s primary veterinarian. While simple by today’s standards, a binder filled with pictures and descriptions of adoptable TBR dogs was placed in the Crossroads lobby. With each adoption, Lisa happily removed a page, and with each new intake, a fresh one was added. Dr. Albright continues to provide TBR with discounted rates for spay/neuter surgeries and heartworm treatments. Over the years, several TBR beagles even found their forever homes with the caring staff at Crossroads.
The Rescue Grows
While walking her beagle, Honey, in Schenck Forest, Susan had a chance encounter with Mary Price and her beagle, Sparkey. This fortuitous meeting led to Mary joining TBR. Not long after, additional dedicated volunteers — Sydney Armstrong, Melissa Thornton, Tara Mann, and Lizz Langstaff, — came aboard. Together, these determined women set out to transform the lives of homeless, lost, and injured beagles across the Wake/Durham/Orange County area.
In 2001, Susan, serving as President, and Melissa, the Fundraising Coordinator, teamed up to launch a second, more robust and informative website. While financial support remained limited, other essential resources began to emerge. Through weekend outreach at PetSmart stores and the new website, Team TBR composed of both humans and beagles — successfully recruited additional volunteers and foster families, steadily increasing the foster capacity.
Tara Mann coordinated the growing squad of eager volunteers, while she and Sydney, the Board Secretary, took on multiple roles — attending adopt-a-thons, transporting beagles to and from vets (earning the nickname ‘Beagle-Bus’), engaging with PetSmart shoppers, and managing communications. Mary stepped in as Treasurer, collaborating with Melissa to raise funds through silent auctions, which helped cover vet bills and transportation costs. The duo later launched a small beagle merchandise store on the website.
Lisa, the Intake Coordinator, spearheaded another early fundraiser at NC State’s flea market, selling donated items. Melissa, meanwhile, juggled many responsibilities, from fostering and driving the Beagle Bus to publishing the first TBR newsletter and keeping the website updated. In the fall of 2000, Lizz filed the incorporation paperwork, allowing Susan, before her departure, to submit paperwork for the nonprofit 501(c)(3) status. Lizz also designed outreach information including a pamphlet, an adopt-a-thon display board, and a revised newsletter. By 2003, Kim Kelly joined TBR as the Application Coordinator, further strengthening TBR.
After spending considerable amount of effort formulating the TBR concept, Susan departed for a budding interest in political engagement. Today, she offers that leaving allowed TBR to flourish by avoiding Non-Profit Founder’s Syndrome. With a strong foundation in place, the Board and volunteers continued its work, growing and enhancing TBR every year.
Meanwhile, the influx of beagles from local shelters showed no signs of slowing. To manage this, Lisa developed a beagle intake process that included behavior criteria to ensure the safety of both the dogs and their fosters. Over many years, she and volunteer Rebecca Hessee hosted numerous pregnant beagles in their homes, caring for litters of puppies and bringing them to Dr. Albright for medical attention and to adopt-a-thons in hopes of finding them forever homes.
Life is a Winding Beagle Scent Trail (not a highway)
Starting a new rescue from virtually nothing was a daunting and challenging endeavor that required a team of individuals. Each of us came to TBR with lives that already included a mix of full-time jobs, board exams, young families, aging parents, and sometimes uninspired spouses. “Another foster dog?!” Volunteers and board members occasionally came and went, returning as time allowed, all while juggling their personal commitments. Refreshed volunteers always provided new energy, ideas, and drive. From 1999–2009, TBR welcomed Valerie Blettner, Maria Ferguson, Bob Gaines, Shannon and Lance Irwin, Michelle Lanzen, Amanda Matthews, Madeline Maturo, Lee Richardson, Ann & Calvin Robinson, Dan and Tina Savarese, Vicki Schoch, Becky Siers, Patricia Tirrell, Tomalei Vess, Mike Walsnovich, Kathy Wisniewski and many, many other volunteers. Unlike today, when nearly every piece of data is meticulously recorded and preserved, there is no comprehensive list of every TBR volunteer — whether foster, non-foster, or board member. Yet, each and every volunteer, no matter the scope of their contributions, deserves TBR’s heartfelt appreciation. Thank you!
Sadly, TBR has lost the following wonderfully dedicated individuals who contributed selflessly to its mission:
Lee Richardson
Maria Ferguson
Sydney Armstrong
Madeline Maturo
Celebrating the Early Successes!
This is just a brief overview of some early, successful TBR events and milestones. Not listed are the very numerous adopt-a-thons, individual fundraising opportunities like yard sales, Santa Paws (Lee Richardson made a great Santa), BeagleFests/PlayDates at Sunny Acres Kennels, Flying Beagle Brigade, and others!
1. First Failed TBR Foster Parent: Lisa Mason adopted a puppy from TBR’s second rescue beagle, Tess (1999)
2. Valerie Blettner donated funds by selling two children’s book about, Floyd, a beagle who was rescued from the mountains of North Carolina.
3. The TBR Photo Contest (2000)
4. Beagle Merchandise Online Mart (2000)
5. Volunteers wrote educational articles for the website on topics such as worms, training techniques, Hurricane Katrina rescues, Volunteer Spotlights, and other newsletter articles.
6. First TBR logo (2001)
7. Hurricane Katrina rescue work: Lisa Mason and Madeline Maturo drove to Mississippi to rescue Ace, Deuce, Harrison, Sallie, Biloxi, Nana, Belinda, Chi-Chi, Vera and Tyler, the Mississippi Hurricane Beagles. Five were heartworm positive. All suffered from upper respiratory infections and ear infections. Several had aspiration pneumonia from flood water. Rotten teeth, mammary tumors, eye infections were treated. And a surprise pregnancy: Chi-Chi delivered seven puppies. (2005)
8. Multiple Failed Foster Parent and Senior Dog Promotor: Mike Walsnovich earned the award for adopting the most fostered TBR beagles and providing financial incentives for senior dog adoptions. (2005)
9. Inspired by the book, “Barkitecture”, where architects build creative houses for dogs, Valerie Blettner led Team TBR to create the gala, Animal House 2005. Twenty Triangle-area architects and builders, both amateurs and professionals, built and donated doghouses and cat condos to the cause. The houses were then auctioned off at the fundraiser. Animal House 2005, then most successful fundraiser ever produced by TBR, raised over $30K.
10. TBR was featured in the article, A Heart for Hounds, in Rally to Rescue magazine. https://web.archive.org/web/20070406002835/http://www.tribeagles.org/
11. Triad area Walk-a-thon raised funds and awareness (2006)
12. Triad area TBR adopt-a-thons began (2006)
13. Animal House 2007 brought talented architects and builders together again for a second gala and fundraiser.
14. Estimated TBR rescued beagles = >1000 (1999–2009)
This story was written by a volunteer at Triangle Beagle Rescue and reflects her recollection of the rescue’s history. While every effort was made to capture key moments and individuals important to the birth and growth of TBR, some people may have been inadvertently left out. We deeply appreciate the contributions of everyone who has been a part of TBR’s journey. If you would like to share your stories about Triangle Beagle Rescue, email info@tribeagles.org.
