Canine Crusaders

10/12/2026

We were alerted to this girl on 9/25/26. She was running around Hero BX, and going in and out of traffic-almost getting hit numerous times. Luckily, a handful of awesome women from the neighborhood reached and stepped up-putting food out, and canvassing the area for her. Renee tried to locate her, and also put food out, but was unsuccessful. Michael Valerio immediately put his thermal drone up upon returning from vacation, but she was nowhere to be found! He proceeded to deploy food plots and cameras-given the likelihood that she’d return. Still, several days passed with zero sightings. Then on Saturday, he got the lead that we’ve been waiting for. Someone called in and reported they saw her. He dropped everything he was doing, and went out quickly with his drone. He was able to spot her in no time! He deployed traps, and several hours later, she finally made her way to the trap. It is very common for dogs to growl once they are trapped, but she didn’t growl not even once. He got plenty of tail wags and affection. She was also very talkative. She does have some healing road rash so we do believe that she may have gotten hit. She is now at the ANNA Shelter, and will be up for adoption soon! Thank you to an awesome community, and our friends at Erie Animal Network!

While these stories are sometimes short, it’s important to note that the majority of these cases take upwards of 20 hours! There’ve been quite a few, that Michael worked around the clock, for days on end. His dedication is unmatched! 💗🐾🫶🏻

10/06/2026

Last Thursday our friends at Erie Animal Network reached out to Staci Lynd, as they received a report of a brown and white Terrier, that was hit on 99. Staci stopped at Cart and Horse Distilling, and learned that the pup’s owner lived close by. The dog was no longer in sight. Staci connected with the owner, whom was not on social media, and provided advice. She connected with EAN, and had them make a post. Trisha Slayton met up with Staci, was briefed on the situation, and set out to find the missing pup. Trisha went door knocking, and looked in the woods. She located Bruiser in the woods, but of course he ran. Staci called Bruiser’s mom, and told her where to meet Trish. Although Bruiser disappeared a couple of times, he didn’t go far. His mom rolled up on her golf cart, and he came right out of hiding. He didn’t seem to have any serious injuries, and was sleeping, eating and drinking fine the next day!

10/03/2026

We have placed one of our donation boxes at ZEF Color Society! So, if you love having GREAT hair, and love what we do, you now have another way to donate! Thank you to our friends at Zef, and thank you to all of our supporters! We are truly grateful!! 💗🐾🫶🏻

09/29/2026

09/19/2026

It is with very heavy hearts that we report Zeus did not make it 😭. We were in touch with his Dad very soon after his escape. Signs went up, and anytime there was a lead-which were far and few in between, his owner and Michael Valerio went out immediately. They spent days and hours canvassing the area, and Michael flew his drone. Dogs typically settle in one area-some bigger than others; but Zeus just kept traveling. On Wednesday we received reports that he was on Perry Highway, and had crossed I-90. There were zero sightings on Thursday. Yesterday we received reports that he was hit on 90, and that a Good Samaritan loaded him into the car, and took him to the emergency clinic. His owner and Michael met them there, and were able to get him seen quicker at Summit. We were hopeful! While we knew his injuries were serious, we thought he could recover. X-rays told us otherwise, and Zeus’ dad did the most humane thing he could, and gave Zeus peace and comfort. Michael was with them for much of the time, and made a personal contribution to Zeus’ care. Please keep Zeus’ family and Michael in your thoughts and prayers. This is the 2nd pup this past week that lost their life on 90. Michael picked up the other baby, and took her to be cremated. This week has been heavy. We want to extend a humongous THANK YOU, to Maegan, for picking Zeus up, taking him to the vet, and loving him until his owner got there! We don’t always have the outcome we so desperately want 😢 💔.

09/10/2026

Staci saw this post on Sunday night, and alerted the team to this pup in need. This stray male dog showed up at State Game Lands, in Wattsburg. It was obvious he had some health issues-ribs visible, and missing a significant amount of fur. Between the threat of traffic and becoming prey, time was of the essence! Michael Valerio wasted no time, venturing out to bring another dog to safety. He cancelled his plans on Monday, and spent the entire day in Wattsburg-searching and setting up. He set up food plots, and the dog showed up on camera in no time! Michael brought the traps out, and waited…and waited….and waited. The puppers didn’t show back up. Michael came back out the next morning, and again, spent much of the day there-exploring a fresh lead. Plenty of raccoons showed up, setting the alarms off hourly, but no dog! A lead came in this morning, and Michael was back it. Finally, just before the storms rolled in, our cute fella made his way into the trap. Michael rushed to Wattsburg in the pouring rain, and worked through the rain and lightening to get his latest rescue into the bus. He then enjoyed some delicious pepperoni, courtesy of Valerio's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria!! He is now safe at the ANNA Shelter, and will be looking for a new home if unclaimed. Video in the comments. Thank you, Erie Animal Network and Jordon Nichols, for keeping us abreast of sightings!! 💗🐾

09/09/2026

That was quick!! Buddy’s owner reached out the other day. She was out of town, and her dad was dog-sitting. Buddy went for an adventure, in an unknown rural area. Over the course of almost 48 hours, there were only two sightings. Yesterday, one of our members was talking to her neighbor, and learned that a dog was lingering on his property all day, crying 😢! It was none other than Buddy!! We got in touch with Buddy’s mom, who put us in touch with her father. Buddy’s grandpa also owns Buddy’s sibling, and went to the area immediately. The rest is history!! No more adventures while your mom is out of town, Buddy!!

09/08/2026

Use Venmo to connect with Canine Crusaders () - We are a non profit organization that help reunite lost animals with their loved ones. Our group of volunteers appreciate the help from our community!