Chris and Mariesa Hughes are a couple who have an unconditional love for dogs. So strong is their passion, that they decided to give a second chance to 19 dogs at the same time, covering all veterinary expenses, even if the dogs are adopted by other families.
This act of love and compassion is nothing new for Chris and Mariesa. They have rescued over 600 senior and special needs dogs, especially those who have been abandoned or surrendered to shelters. Today, they share their home with over a dozen other canines, giving them a life full of love and care.
To ensure that their dogs enjoy the best quality of life, Chris and Mariesa have created a space specially adapted for them. Their home features a large fenced garden so that the dogs can run freely, personalized kennels with their names, a hydrotherapy treadmill and a laser treatment system to relieve pain in joints and wounds.
In addition to their home, Chris and Mariesa founded the Mr. Mo Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding loving homes for dogs and covering their lifetime medical expenses. The inspiration for this project was born from the loss of Chris’ dog Moses, an aging Pitbull who had to be surrendered to a shelter due to his advanced age.
“Moises was with us for 22 months before he died of spinal cord cancer,” Chris said. “We realized how expensive it was to care for an elderly, sick dog, so after his death, we decided to create the Mr. Mo Project to help other dogs in need of medical care and a loving home.”
Thanks to their dedication, Chris and Mariesa have become a point of reference for animal shelters. Many shelters contact them for help with sick, injured or special needs dogs. Chris and Mariesa accept all dogs that need help, regardless of their condition or age.
The couple’s effort requires a huge financial investment. Last year, they spent $700,000 on veterinary care for their dogs. “Shelters call us, we take the dogs in, and we provide all the financial care until we find the right home for them,” Chris explains. “We are responsible for their medical care for the rest of their lives.”
Despite the difficulties and the huge effort involved in caring for so many dogs, Chris and Mariesa do not regret their decision. “It is bittersweet because it is not always a dream, it can be extremely stressful, but it is amazing to see all their hard work and see all these adorable, loved dogs who deserve a second chance,” says Mariesa.
“But when there are dogs you can’t save, the minimums are incredibly low and it really affects you.” Plus, it’s always disorganized. “I’d like to say ‘no, we’re not getting any more dogs,’ but I didn’t expect two more so quickly either.”
“Seeing their transformations makes all the effort and pain worth it. It is really challenging, but it is definitely our life’s work.”
