Article by Jessica Renstrom 

"Every day is different," says Tammy Devers, founder of Hamster Boy and Tiger Lilly Rescue. "One day we're bottle-feeding newborn puppies every few hours. The next we're fighting to save a litter with parvovirus, taking in a senior dog who has spent a lifetime being overlooked, or driving hundreds of miles so a dog can finally make it to safety." 

Approaching its fourth year, Hamster Boy and Tiger Lilly Rescue takes in an average of 275 dogs a year from southeast Montana, often from rural communities where veterinary care is hard to come by. Most are puppies, abandoned and facing a grim future without help. "Unfortunately, a lot of these dogs get hit by cars, or injured," says Kristin Sclavi, a volunteer with the rescue. "Puppies often get parvo and it's horrendous." 

Two of those early dogs are how the rescue got its name. Hamster Boy was one of the first dogs Tammy took in, a puppy so small he looked like he belonged in a cage with a wheel. He's since grown into a healthy, full-grown 40-pound dog, though the name stuck. Tiger Lilly was another early rescue who came in fighting parvovirus. She pulled through, was adopted, and now has a home of her own. 

In addition to strays, the rescue takes in surrenders from families who can no longer afford vet bills or dog food, a growing reality for many households. Once a stray or surrender comes in, the pup spends a minimum of two weeks in quarantine to be tested and treated for any potential illnesses. From there, they receive age-appropriate vaccinations, are dewormed, and are spayed or neutered if needed before going up for adoption. 

Unlike shelters with a designated facility to house homeless animals, rescue organizations rely on foster families to provide temporary homes and around-the-clock care to the animals who need it most. It's difficult, nonstop work, and for Hamster Boy and Tiger Lilly Rescue, it's entirely volunteer-run. But these volunteers say it's worth it. "Watching a once-forgotten puppy grow into a beloved family member or seeing an old dog finally experience love makes every difficult day worthwhile," Tammy says. "Because every dog deserves someone who refuses to give up on them." 

Looking ahead, both Tammy and Kristin hope rescue work eventually won't be needed at all. "In a perfect world, we aren't needed, and all dogs have a home," Kristin says. They agree that rescue is only part of the solution to a growing population of homeless dogs. 

Hamster Boy and Tiger Lilly Rescue partners with several other rescue organizations in the area to promote free spay and neuter clinics that Spay Montana holds around the state. "Spaying and neutering, education, and community support are the keys to reducing the number of homeless dogs in the future," Tammy says. "Every puppy we don't have to rescue because someone chose to spay or neuter their pet is a victory." 

To see dogs available for adoption or learn how to help, visit Hamster Boy and Tiger Lilly Rescue's Facebook page: facebook.com/hammyandtigerlilly. 

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Originally printed in the October 2026 issue of Simply Local Magazine

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