Taking the Bull

Bullies 2 the Rescue makes surrendered bulldogs its top priority, and in Topsail Beach Cheryl Price is a top volunteer.

By Ashley Daniels

If you’ve ever run into Cheryl Price at the counter of her South End Outfitters retail store in Topsail Beach, you know that three of her beloved five bulldog rescues, Mavis, Oliver and Greta, are never far behind her.

But that’s just the beginning of the story behind her passion for English and French bulldogs.

“Greta is an English bulldog that was dumped at the Pender County Shelter after she was bred and starved,” Price says. “When I got her, she was skin and bones. Now she’s stunningly beautiful.”

About five years ago, a couple from Charlotte walked into Price’s restaurant, Beach Shop & Grill, across the street from her store and inquired about her rescue bulldogs. This turned into Price being recruited to volunteer for Bullies 2 The Rescue and becoming besties with the fellow bullie-loyal couple.

“I was like, ‘Sign me up!’” Price says.

Headquartered in Indian Trail outside of Charlotte in a pet supply store, Carolina Pet Pantry, the nonprofit Bullies 2 The Rescue was founded nine years ago by Courtney Vaux. One of the largest bulldog rescues in the country, Bullies 2 the Rescue has satellite offices in South Carolina and Alabama and covers Virginia and Maryland as well. The shelter relies solely on donations for the care and treatment of the rescued English and French bulldogs admitted — there are more than 50 at a time. The organization provides its fur fosters with food, treats, supplements, medical care, training and harnesses and leashes.

“They’re incredibly high maintenance, and people will get them and not realize the genetic and health issues that they have, like skin issues and food allergies,” Price says, “and it’s all related to food. Nutrition is so important. It’s just sad that 90 percent of the foods on the market have byproducts, fillers and chemicals.”

Price is one of 200 volunteers at Bullies 2 The Rescue and does a little bit of everything, from doing telephone adoption interviews when applications come in and to home visits as part of the adoption process to transporting a foster and fundraising at the restaurant. Her latest raffle of a YETI cooler raised $3,000 for Bullies 2 The Rescue.

“We definitely believe in corporate social responsibility and giving back to our communities, and dog rescue is our platform,” Price says. “I think that not only big corporations should have a charity that they support and donate to, but small businesses should as well. It’s a wonderful way to spread the word.”

Oh, and Price fosters, of course. She’s taken dogs in to help rehabilitate them until they’re ready for adoption in addition to her five resident fur babies

“Every dog is put on medical hold and thoroughly vetted as fast as they can,” she says. “Whatever they need, the rescue does and pays for. I’ve seen Courtney, the director, spend $10,000 to save a dog’s life. … Whatever it is, she does it. And I love her because she never says no to a dog. We immediately go get them.

“All of my friends in rescue have a lot of dogs, and I take the seniors,” Price continues. “I like the old guys because most people don’t. They kind of have that, ‘been there, done that’ attitude, and they just want good food and a cozy bed.”

Want to help?

To volunteer, donate or adopt through Bullies 2 The Rescue, visit bullies2therescue.com.