SALEM, Ore. (KATU) — The life of a dog rescuer is unpredictable, sometimes heartbreaking, but Cassie Farm does it full time.
Last year, Farm rescued her best friend, a pit bull puppy named Coco.
“It was a rainy day, so I went out there as soon as I could,” she says. “Once we pulled him out, it was just like, ‘Oh my gosh, you're just a puppy,' and every rib and [his] spine was showing.”
Based on Coco's condition, Farm assumed his owner abandoned him. He was malnourished and clearly injured. He had been hit by a car, and his back leg was crushed. He ended up needing to get the leg amputated.
Not expecting much, Farm scanned Coco for a microchip.
“Luckily, I tracked down the owner that abandoned him,” she says.
The microchip led Farm to his first owner, who said she rehomed Coco to someone she met off Facebook. Farm says she reported the second owner to police for animal abuse and neglect.
“That's how I get through life,” she says. “I will do anything for an animal.”
Farm started rescuing animals in 2013. She'd respond to posts people would make on the Facebook group, Lost & Found Pets of Salem, Oregon.
“I learned a lot of patience from dogs, especially trapping,” she says. “Whenever I'm about to give up, so are they.”
Over the years, she has rescued hundreds of dogs, either reuniting them with their owners or fostering them until she finds them a loving home.
“A lot of the dogs that are owned that I help, I stay in their life,” she explains. “Then, also, the dogs I've rescued, I always see it through and make sure I stay in contact with whoever they get adopted to.”
In 2021, Farm left her desk job to pursue animal rescue full time under her business Farm's Pet Services, LLC. She makes money through pet-sitting, dog-walking and overnight boarding. All that money goes into helping other pet parents, like Tony Mignogna.
“Cassie's taken care of my dog for me,” he says. “She's rescued my dog two times. She's an awesome lady.”
Farm has helped Mignogna with his dog Bobo while he gets back on his feet. She tells KATU that Bobo and Mignonga are set to move in to an apartment, a welcome relief after Mignogna's long struggle with homelessness.
As tough as dog rescue is, Farm's made some friends through it, like Miranda Lethcoe.
Last year, Lethcoe's dog, Thrasher, had to get his leg amputated.
“The person I was walking with let his ball go, and it was a busy intersection, and he hit the side of a truck, and it missed him,” Lethcoe says. “Then, the trailer caught his back right leg.”
Farm stepped up to help Lethcoe, paying for Thrasher's vet expenses and driving them to his appointments.
“She is an angel,” Lethcoe says. “An absolute angel.”
Thanks to Farm and Lethcoe's friendship, Coco gets a new pal as well.
Cassie Farm is a rescuer, an advocate and a friend to both pets and people. That's why she's this week's Everyday Hero.
