Meet Jennifer Ulmer of Tender Loving Crested Rescue in Northwest

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Ulmer.

Jennifer, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Tender Loving Crested Rescue™ (TLCR) started out of the love of the breed and the realization that this “rare” breed was quickly becoming like all others.

I rescued my first hairy hairless without even realizing it. I traveled with my mom to purchase a dog from a “breeder” that was ordered by her local county to reduce the number of dogs in her possession. When we got to her house, all we saw were dogs and cages everywhere.

The breeder couldn’t even tell what dogs were available. She had to put some dogs back into their cages, cages labeled with numbers, not names, just to figure out who was available. Throughout all of the commotion, a tiny baby boy sat quietly in my lap and never left. He chose me. I named him Tucker Lane. We left there not realizing how much Tucker would change my life.

On the way home from the breeder’s house, my mom and I were both in tears, upset that we couldn’t do more to save the 30+ dogs that were left there. We later learned that what we experienced was a backyard breeder. I started doing some research on rescue, backyard breeders, and puppy mills. I was horrified at what I saw.

Fast forward one year to an appointment with photographer Robyn Arouty. Her immediate words upon seeing Tucker was “oh, he has balls”. Talk about being put in your place! Throughout the photo shoot, the topic of conversation was the importance of spay/neuter. We all know it, right? We just have excuses why we haven’t done it yet. No time, no money, can’t take off of work, etc. They’re all just excuses.

The need for rescue volunteers and organizations was also discussed. Robyn, being a lover of nekkid dogs, commented that there were no Houston based rescues dedicated to Chinese Cresteds. That conversation was the start of something amazing. And we’re happy to report that Tucker was neutered 2 weeks later!!

Soon after my lecture, I mean appointment, with Robyn, I started volunteering with Lone Star Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso Rescue (LSSTLAR) in Houston, TX. I fostered, coordinated events, processed applications, did home visits, helped with medical cases, etc. I learned as much as I possibly could and I’m still learning from their director, Teresa, who has been in rescue for over 15 years.

With the help of connections made while volunteering with LSSTLAR, I rescued my first Chinese Crested, a Powderpuff I named Lil Bit. His previous owner was a first-time pet parent and couldn’t care for the sick puppy. After many, many vet visits and hospitalization, it was discovered that Lil Bit had renal dysplasia, (malformed kidneys), a result of poor breeding. Lil Bit lived a happy life with me for 4 years before passing away from kidney failure.

In April 2013, with Teresa’s help, I rescued a Chinese Crested that was at a local shelter with a broken jaw. The shelter had already performed surgery. Off I went with my second rescue, hopeful for a good and smooth recovery. Wrong! The dog, named Tobias, “Tobi”, was in serious pain and was extremely dehydrated and underweight. Tobi was admitted to Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists where he underwent three more procedures over the next few months. While waiting for one of many of Tobi’s evaluations, Teresa looked at me and said, “I think it’s time you start your own rescue”.

Tobi was the beginning of Tender Loving Crested Rescue (see Tobi’s before/after picture below). On average, we rescue 25 dogs a year for a total of 137 Chinese Cresteds to date. We take Chinese Cresteds of all ages, sizes, full breed or mixed. We occasionally get a Xoloitzcuintli (also known as Mexican Hairless) or an American Hairless Terrier. A majority of our dogs come from owner surrenders, where owners can no longer care for the dog(s) due to medical reasons, divorce, or other situations. Although still uncommon, we are seeing Chinese Cresteds in shelters more and more.

Has it been a smooth road?
The biggest challenges are not enough volunteers or money. The rescue can only do so much. We hate to say no to owners or shelters that have a dog in need but without a volunteer to foster the dog and money to care for its needs, we don’t have any way to help. That has definitely been the biggest challenge – learning my limit and having to say no.

Another challenge is dealing with people who don’t realize that I am a single mom, I work a full-time job, I foster the majority of the dogs in the program and I single-handedly run the administrative side of the rescue. I can’t always reply to emails or messages as quickly as some people would like.

A very upsetting struggle is dealing with people who say our dogs are ugly. I get that hairless dogs are not attractive to everyone. They have a very unique look. But there is absolutely no need to tell us over and over again how ugly a dog is or that it looks like a rat.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
We rescue Chinese Cresteds. We care for them medically. We socialize them and get them ready for their forever homes. I had one dog, Cooper, that was completely feral when I got him from a breeder. Any time I picked him up, he pooped and peed on me.

Gradually, Cooper began to trust. Finally, one day, things changed for Cooper. You could see him relax, you could see the love in his eyes. After being in our rescue program for 18 months, he was finally ready for his forever home. That is what I am most proud of – taking abused, neglected, feral dogs and teaching them to trust and love.

I wouldn’t say that anything sets us apart from other rescues other than being breed specific. We are the only Chinese Crested rescue in Texas, really all of the southern states.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
There is a tremendous need for rescues in Houston. We have a severe overpopulation of cats and dogs. If someone is looking to start a rescue, DO IT.

First, a volunteer with an established organization, maybe even two groups to see different ways to do things. Learn as much as you can.

Second, be in it for the dogs. Rescue is not a money-making operation. You will not make a dime off rescue. But you will be rewarded with true love from the dogs. You’ll also make wonderful lifelong friends in your volunteers and adopters.

The only way the City of Houston will improve the overpopulation of animals is to educate the public on spay/neuter, adopt don’t shop (meaning adopt a dog rather than buying one from a breeder) and have more people get involved in the rescue.

If you can’t foster a dog, volunteer to help with record keeping or meet and greets. If you aren’t able to offer your time, donate monetarily. The large associations like the SPCA and Humane Society get millions of dollars in donations. The smaller rescue groups struggle to get donations.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://chinesecrestedrescue.org/
• Email: info@chinesecrestedrescue.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tenderlovingcrestedrescue/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TenderLovingCrestedRescue/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/txccrescue

Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.