Ken Koenig, Founder of Dunedin Doggie Rescue walking some of his rescues
Dunedin Doggie Rescue started in 2006. We are a small but determined group of volunteers, driven by our love of dogs, to save them. Knowing that the rescue had to be sustainable to survive, it was built on a Co-op model: each adopter is asked to give back so we can save another shelter dog. Dunedin Doggie Rescue is a 501c; www.facebook.com/people/Dogeden-Rescue/1749329026
Panache: Why did you choose this business or line of work?
Ken: My significant other, Cathy and I had adopted a dog from a Cat Rescue called Home at Last. She had two dogs of her own, but she always found “room for one more dog” in her home and adopted them out one at a time. She cried her heart out when she gave CJ to us, and we said “we could never do that”. We became close friends with her and after a year of gently prodding us, we took the bait and found “room for one more “in our home and began adopting dogs… one at a time. Within 6 months friends in the community offered to help and it just grew and grew and…
Panache: What is your primary role or duty in your company?
Ken: Event planner, pseudo veterinarian, food nutritionist. Cathy does the other half, Foster Coordinator, pseudo psychologist and feeder of the Dogs.
Panache: What sets you apart from your competition?
Ken: Several new concepts to rescue… we are a Co-Op, meaning when you adopt a dog from us the adoption fee is based on how much time you can help the rescue to continue rescuing more dogs. In addition the Co-Op is a community in which the rescue offers several benefits to adopters: Medical and Behavioral support, Free dogs wash and nails at our monthly Suds on Sunday, Dog sitting, and Volunteer Thank You parties. We have a very detailed adoption process… each adopter does three different length trials. Lastly, we are big on educating our adopters about feeding good food to their dogs.
Panache: What would you be doing now if it weren’t for your business, taking money out of the equation?
Ken: Traveling the country in a RV with our dogs. P.S. We are all independently wealthy, not in money of course, but in dog kisses.
Panache: What do you do for fun?
Ken: Camping with our dogs at Music Fests at Sertoma Youth Ranch
Panache: Who or what is most important to you, personally or professionally?
Ken: Making a Difference by knowing there are about 500 dogs that would have been put down at a shelter, who are now living with a GREAT Family.
Panache: A little secret about you that would shock those who don’t know you!
Cathy Schulz with some rescues
Ken: I used to be BIG into the craft beer movement, from home brewing and President of Dunedin Brewers Guild to Board member of the state’s Brewery Guild and judging beer at competitions as a nationally ranked beer judge.
Panache: What are your personal and professional mottos?
Ken: More like “sayings” associated with doing rescue work)
“The more Humans I meet the more I like my Pets”, and “Do unto others as Karma will do to you”
Panache: When you were five, what was your dream to be when you grew up?
Ken: To be just like my dad, he was a hard worker who had a lot of fun friends, and (I was his shadow).
Panache: Have you achieved all or most of your dreams thus far?
Ken: Not even close. Working a regular job and doing the rescue has put a lot on hold. My biggest short-term dream is adopting out our hardest to adopt dog (who probably has been with us over a year).
