One person, one decision, one act…can make all the difference to an animal in need.

Alyssa Budzise is a young lady who lives in the little town of Trinity, Texas—and she has become known as an “angel” who is the saving grace of animals in dire need of rescue. Yes, there are “Angels Among Us,” we just have to look around. As luck would have it, I arrived at their home in the woods to find Alyssa, assisted by her mother Jenny and sister Megan, as they were giving an abandoned litter of pups a warm bath and bottle. As I watched them take special care of each individual pup, they talked to them, nurtured them, and placed them carefully back in the basket lined with soft towels. These pups were literally in good hands.  Curious, I asked—

What happened to the mother dog?

She was run over by a car, survived the night till she gave birth to the litter, then she died the next morning. She was a good momma. I will find them all homes, just like I did the last litter.

How is it you come across these motherless litters and various animals needing your help?

Some of it comes from friends who know I run my own shelter for animals in need; it’s called Whisper’s Promise Rescue and Rehab, and it will be fully licensed as a 501C3, hopefully in a year or so–until that is finalized, I have work to do for these babies.  Some of the other drop-offs come from the Trinity Police Department, who help a lot with rescuing animals. They bring the ones over that really need my help, such as small stray pups deserted on the roadways. I interned with a veterinarian for a couple of years to learn more about the care of animals, so that has helped a lot in my knowledge of what certain animals may need, but I do have a vet who helps takes care of what I can’t. Thankfully, they work with me on the bills and meds. Presently, I have two horses and six pups at the moment.

And you work to help supplement some of your animal’s healthcare?

I work at Tractor Supply in Trinity around 30 hours a week, and—yes, they help very much! I love my team there at Tractor Supply. It would be very hard without their support. I do most of the work, but my family here at home is there any time I need them.

What was the defining moment you decided to take on the role as rescuer for God’s wondrous creatures?

Probably back around 2013, we got my dog Rascal from a local animal shelter, and she was going be put down the next day. She was from a litter of pups found on the highway.  She was the last one out of her litter, and they didn’t have room for her. Her number was up. She was skittish and terrified of everybody. So I took her on and let her know she had a home.

So that moment turned your heart around? 

Yes, because it made me realize if I could help more dogs, then it would be one less they would be putting down. Rascal was the first dog I ever rescued, so she was the reason I began this journey to help save, not just dogs, but any creature I could help rescue.

I’ve noticed on your property here that you have dogs, horses, cows, and other animals you tend to. That can keep you a bit busy. Which is the hardest to care for?   

Horses are the hardest to care for, because once they get malnourished, you have to use a harness and a tractor to help get them back up. It takes a lot of work to get them standing and help them get their strength back.  I have to make sure they don’t colic, because if they roll, or their stomachs get upside down, it will twist; then they have to have surgery, or they can die. I get them before they get to the slaughter house. I will try to outbid the kill-buyer before that happens. Normally they don’t go beyond $400. But the ones I have gotten recently are from people who don’t care for them, or feed them, or abandon them–as when a friend’s uncle died, and his wife no longer cared for the animal. It was in the worst shape I’ve ever seen.

But you’ve since given it a new life? 

Yes, she’s out on 40 acres, running with other horses. And I’m very, very happy to be part of her rescue. That’s why I do this. (She then gave the sweetest most genuine smile.)

Tell me about Elvis the cow.

Elvis is my bottle baby, probably the best thing that ever happened to me. I love him dearly. I got a call…I was actually feeding for somebody—and I got a call from someone saying my neighbor just posted that they needed help from someone with a bottle calf. So, 5:00 am, and I woke up Patrick (my fiancé), and we were on the road. We didn’t know what we were getting into, but we pulled up and there were two little calves—a little heifer and Elvis. The owner had Momma pulled over to the side. She was doing great, she just wasn’t taking the calves. He tried to get both to latch on to a bottle, but Elvis wasn’t going for it. So I walked over and kept trying and trying, then I finally got him to latch on. So the owner asked me if I’d be willing to take that one (Elvis) home. I said sure and took him home. I have had him for three years now.

So I see Elvis out there in the shade all spoiled up.

Yes, he is my baby, and he is way beyond spoiled. But knowing these babies are safe makes me feel safe, and I’m glad I can help. It means something to me to help an animal in need. Who else is going to do it for them? We have to help them.

For more information, or to donate toward the rescue and care of animals, contact:

Alyssa Budzise
Whisper’s Promise Rescue and Rehab
PO Box 585
Trinity, TX 75862
(936)304-4320