“Small but mighty” is the refrain one hears when speaking to anyone about Pawlicious Poochie Pet Rescue. Both the organization and the special needs animals they support pack quite a punch in a small, incredibly inspirational package. At the helm of the project is animal activist superstar, Jaime McKnight.
How it all began
It began six years ago, when McKnight met a senior Italian Greyhound by the name of Lucy. “She was surrendered due to a blood disease, and the owners didn’t want to spend money to get her better. Lucy showed us that senior dogs are indeed full of life and have lots of love to give!” she emphatically states. Sweet Lucy has since died from lung cancer but her legacy lives on in the rescue she inspired. McKnight decided to create a rescue organization whose mission is to focus on handicapped, hospice, critically injured, and old dogs, all of whom are under ten pounds. “These are the ones that most would not save or adopt, the ‘Under Dogs’ if you will.”
McKnight uses social media to share the journeys of each of her rescues. With a following of nearly 100,000, there is clearly quite an audience! She masterfully infuses brightness and joy into every part of her organization.
“These dogs deserve only the best for the time they have left. I still tell their sad stories because they need to be heard, but approaching rescue the way I have, shiny and positive, has led to more people wanting to get involved, as the focus is on these dogs’ happiness and the great days ahead!”
How did this angel of animal care get her start? “I have loved animals as long as I can remember. My first job at 15 years old was cleaning kennels at the local veterinarian. You would find me on the floor laying with sick dogs and the dogs that just got out of surgery,” McKnight remembers.
One-woman show
She still provides the animals in her care this kind of high-touch attention.
“I do not use foster homes, because most of my rescues require around-the clock-care: syringe feedings, medications, critical care, and hospital visits at all hours of the night,” she explains.
A true one-woman-show, Pawlicious Poochie Pet Rescue, indelibly changes the lives of over 100 dogs each year! “I spend anywhere from $1,000-6,000 per dog. My most expensive case to date totaled $12,000, and that senior pup is still alive and living his best life with his fur-ever family,” she smiles. With no corporate sponsors, the non-profit depends entirely on donations from the community.
On top of running this demanding, desperately needed rescue, McKnight also runs a successful real estate business. How do these seemingly disparate operations coexist? “Real Estate and Rescue go hand-in-hand,” ensures McKnight. “Every seller and buyer has a story. Every Home has a story. Every sale is different. I respect everyone’s story; the same is true of each rescue dog. I do whatever it takes to make real estate clients achieve their goals and dreams.”
As with her rescue, McKnight is always willing to go the extra mile, and her commitment is extraordinary. “I am one of the few real estate agents who will drive over three hours to sell my client’s home. I work just as hard for my $50,000 clients as I do for my multi-million dollar clients. I am always accessible, and am known to work all hours, day and night.”
For the love of the job
Both rescue and real estate are true passions for McKnight. “I love being a real estate agent! Many of my client’s are past adopters, or end up filling their new home with my rescued dogs. Rescue and real estate truly are labors of love, and I put my heart and soul into both!” she beams.
What comes next? McKnight has big plans for the future. “The dream is to build a shelter that would change the shelter landscape forever. A true no-kill shelter, catering to those that wouldn’t otherwise get a chance. Open air and, of course, pink and sparkly, the shelter would provide hospice care and the best advanced vet care available.”
Visit the Pawlicious Poochie Pet Rescue page on Facebook to see all the wonderful work being done or to make a tax-deductible donation.
For questions about surrendering a dog or adopting one of her mighty rescues, contact Jaime McKnight directly at (727) 430- 2491 or [email protected]. To buy or sell a home, you can reach her at 727-430-2491 or jaime.mcknight@ floridamoves.com.
Great article!! I love Jaime & her rescue!! Thanks for spotlighting the great work she does!
An amazing mission and true local hero.
Jamie and PPPR are truly an Angel to the dog world who have no chance in the shelter. She is a one person wonder. Gets more accomplished as 1 person than a group. Awesome person.
Jamie is one of a kind! God gave her a purpose in her life to do and id say she has truly succeeded, My depression can sometimes take over me, but to see her stories and Lols stories warm my heart!
Jamie has been an inspiration to me and many others for years. Her work with these sweet little ones is outstanding and she deserves the spotlight that you have placed on her. May this article bring support and donations to such a worthy cause.
Thank you Jamie for helping these very special fur-babies!
I found out about the rescue when a dear friend of mine ask me if I could keep 2 little dogs cheech and siri until they could be transported to Jamie’s rescue in st pete. Me and my grandkids fell in love with the littles. We admired the love that jamie gave to these little souls that otherwise would never have had a chance. Thanks Jamie will continue to support you on your mission.
Jamie is an amazing person. What she does for these animals is just awesome. I’m privileged to call Jamie my friend. There is nothing I wouldn’t do to help her. I always say if I win the lotto she is one of the first people that would be rewarded. The passion and the care that she gives to these babies is very heartfelt and sincere. I wish I could do a quarter of what she does. She is a true angel
This is how rescue should be handled.. One by one she saves these animals no one else would. Funding for her is imperative. She shows you ON facebook the progress of each save. you KNOW where you money goes. It’s important to support our local heroes. She is doing the work.. adopting and sending donations is vital to her mission. Animals love unconditionally and in a world that truly needs more compassion she is a gift as well.
I have been following you for years and you have inspired My husband and I to start a rescue of our own. I am totally impressed with you and the organization you have created and how you continually have success stories. I have 6 rescues of my own.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated……I know I need to come up with a mission statement and I am definitely working on that.
Kudos to you and all that are involved.
Ive been following Jaime for a few years now. She does what no other rescue does ALONE!
To me, she is an angel appointed by the Lord Almighty. She’s awesome and I wish there were others who had the love and understanding of animals that she has. The world would be a better place!
If you can combine wonder woman and an angel all into one person……..that’s is Jaime Bunny Mcknight . With a heart bigger than an elephant!!! Enough said! She’s a power house and she rocks st. Petersburg!?