AMM Non-profit Spotlight: Emmylou Harris, Bonaparte’s Retreat

“I just believe that companion animals really enrich our lives. They require so little, and they give back so much. I believe that we have almost a sacred responsibility to treat them humanely and give them a chance at a good life.”

Founded in 2004 by Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Emmylou Harris, Bonaparte’s Retreat focuses on saving euthanasia candidates from animal shelters and adopting them into loving homes.

Bonaparte’s is named for one of Emmylou’s dogs – for ten years, Bonaparte traveled on the road with Emmylou and was her constant companion. When he died in 2002, Emmylou’s personal loss became the genesis of something remarkable – she founded Bonaparte’s Retreat. Emmylou’s song “Big Black Dog,” chronicles her experience meeting and rescuing a senior black lab mix – who became Bella, “with a little too much gray around the muzzle.” And although animal rescue work is her second career, “There’s a little more urgency to it,” she says, “I feel like I’m – well I am – dealing with life and death, so it’s a different kind of passion.”

Bonaparte’s focus is on rescuing the shelter dogs who are often overlooked or deemed unadoptable – senior dogs, larger dogs, special needs dogs, or dogs in need of imminent medical care or surgery. Bonaparte’s Retreat is a nonprofit that relies on the generosity and compassion of donors, friends, and supporters.

Please visit the website at www.bonapartesretreat.org to learn more or to make a contribution.