Chris and Mariesa Hughes are a couple who have a deep love for dogs. Their passion is so strong that they chose to give a second chance to 19 dogs at once, covering all veterinary expenses, even if the dogs are adopted by other families.
Chris and Mariesa have a long history of showing love and compassion towards senior and special needs dogs. They have rescued over 600 of these dogs, many of whom were abandoned or surrendered to shelters. In their home, they currently care for over a dozen dogs, providing them with a life full of love and attention.
To ensure their dogs have the best quality of life possible, Chris and Mariesa have created a specially tailored space for them. Their home features a large fenced yard for the dogs to run freely, personalized kennels with their names on them, a hydrotherapy treadmill, and a laser treatment system to help alleviate joint pain and injuries. 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 came from the loss of Moses, Chris’s old Pitbull who had to be surrendered to a shelter due to his advanced age.
Chris shares, “Moisés was with us for 22 months before passing away from spinal cord cancer. We realized how costly it was to care for an elderly and sick dog, so after his death, we decided to start the Mr. Mo Project to assist other dogs in need of medical care and a loving home.”
Thanks to their dedication, Chris and Mariesa have become a role model for animal shelters. Many shelters reach out to them for assistance with sick, injured, or special needs dogs. Chris and Mariesa welcome all dogs in need of help, regardless of their condition or age.
The couple’s commitment comes with a hefty price tag. Last year, they spent $700,000 on veterinary care for their dogs. “Shelters reach out to us, we take in the dogs, and provide them with all the financial support until we find them their perfect forever home,” Chris explains. “We are responsible for their medical care for the rest of their lives.”
Despite the challenges and hard work involved in taking care of so many dogs, Chris and Mariesa have no regrets about their decision. “It’s bittersweet because it’s not always a dream, it can be extremely stressful, but it’s amazing to see all their hard work pay off and to see all these adorable dogs loved, who deserve a second chance,” says Mariesa.
“However, when it comes to dogs that you can’t rescue, the odds are incredibly low and it really takes a toll on you.” Also, it’s always chaotic. “I’d like to say ‘no, we won’t take in any more dogs’, but I also didn’t expect two more so soon.”
Watching their transformations makes all the effort and pain worth it. It’s truly challenging, but it’s definitely the work of a lifetime.