HAZEL PARK, Mich. – A metro Detroit man is on a mission to find a home for any dog that needs it, even if that home is his. He's been running an animal shelter out of his home for almost two years.
It's certainly not a house of tranquility, but he's found a method to his madness and has lots of help from his family. What he doesn't have is lots of space, which makes it difficult when your motto is "No dog left behind."
Maybe you couldn't tell it, Barry Duchene is a dog lover. Two years ago when he couldn't find a home for Sugar -- not even at the shelters -- he kept her and wondered how many others might have the same problem.
"As crazy as it sounds, I turned around and started my own rescue," said Duchene. "It didn't take very long before I had a whole lot of dogs."
Since then, any dog that's needed a home New Directions Animal Shelter has given them one with no questions asked. Along the way, Duchene has found homes for about a dozen and hopes to move his business out of his Hazel Park home into a proper facility.
"A full-fledged shelter with the thrift store and the grooming facility and everything else to generate funds help keep it all going," Duchene said.
The funding is his biggest problem. Living on disability and social security, Duchene does what he can to pay vet bills and feed the 13 dogs at the house right now. But for him it's not about the money it's about the love.
"Well, I love dogs and dealing with them when a lot of other people aren't here it's just like any other day in the house. They know that I'm dad and I take care of the house," said Duchene.
Yes, it can get mighty crazy in this house as Local 4 found out when his 80-pound bulldog mix got loose during our interview. Still it's about finding a home for each dog.
Duchene is technically in violation of Hazel Park ordinance, but since Duchene is a certified animal nonprofit the city lets him slide as long as he doesn't take in any more. Because he's planning to move again by June, Duchene hopes to a much bigger building.
Duchene does not have any cats only because it might not be safe with all the dogs, but once New Directions is in a proper place cats will be welcome.
