Thursday, March 10, 2011

In Need of Rescue

Every day I receive many e-mails with requests for dogs or cats needing help.  These requests go out to rescuers in the immediate area of the animal, and sometimes all over the country, asking for anyone who can help.  Sometimes a rescue group will be able to assist with one of the requests.  Other times, no help can be found and the dog or cat is killed.  I get very frustrated with the people who say that this country does not have a pet overpopulation problem. It is worse in certain areas than others, but for the United States overall, it is still a very real issue.  I would love to see us become a no-kill nation that can provide good homes for every dog and cat that is born, but right now we aren't there yet.  

Tonight I received a request to help this dog. 
German Shepherd mix dog in a chain link kennel

He was found on a highway median, feeding on a deer carcass.  The person who found him knew he was in danger when he started dragging a deer leg across the highway in front of oncoming traffic.  She was able to catch him and take him to an area shelter.  This is what he had wrapped around his neck: 

collar with three-part short wire tether attached with padlock

He had no tags, and no microchip, so no way to identify his owner.  He was tested for heartworms and tested positive.  Heartworms are transmitted to dogs by a mosquito bite, and if not caught and treated, can cause congestive heart failure.  They are prevalent in this area of the country but can easily be prevented by a monthly heartworm preventative chewable tablet that can be purchased from a veterinarian.  It appears whomever owned this dog did not have him on preventative, and now he will require an expensive and somewhat dangerous treatment to remove the heartworms.  The shelter where he was taken advised the rescuer who brought him in that because he tested positive, he would be euthanized.  So the rescuer has sent out an e-mail to every rescuer she knows, and asked them to send it out to every rescuer they know.  It will end up on various yahoo groups e-mail lists and Facebook and other social media sites - all to try to find someone to save this dog.

I don't know if he'll be saved or not.  I'll try to find out and let you know, but the sad truth is that there are many more dogs like him out there.  I receive multiple requests like this one every single day, for dogs with medical issues, dogs with disabilities, dogs that are perfectly healthy and their owners just don't want them anymore, all out of time and options.  There are not enough foster homes, not enough money, and not enough adopters to save them all - not yet.  But we're working on it, one dog (and cat) at a time!  So to all rescuers out there, and all volunteers, adopters, and donors, please, keep up the good work!

17 comments:

JacksDad said...

What a sad story. Let's hope for a happy ending!

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

I love your header!!!

I will cross my paws fur this poor dawg.

Cupcake said...

Everything you said in your post was all the things I worry about in bed at night. All the little faces at shelters and on the internet, who will take care of them. Irresponsible owners make it so difficult to try to keep the population down.

I hope this dog, and many others, can find someone to give them a happy home. They deserve it.

Cyndi and Stumpy said...

I look forward to the day when the world takes care of the people and animals needing help. That includes the responsibility of population control.

In the meantime, I am so grateful for people like you and so many others that do what they can to help. I look forward to the day when I, too, can help once again.

bbes tribe said...

So sad!! Hope the poor thing finds a loving home. We agree with giantspeckledchihuahua and cupcake. Too many people not taking responsibility for caring and spaying and neutering their pets.
woofs
ernie,sasha,chica,lucas

Kari in Alaska said...

This poor guy :( I hope he finds a place soon

Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com

brooke said...

so sad. ugh.
who the f puts a padlock around a dogs neck?

Two Pitties in the City said...

It's so sad to see these types of things, and even worse that there are so many of them. We try to do our little bit to help, but we really admire your dedication and how you have helped so many dogs. I think the main thing is education--it's shocking how so many presumably educated people still don't understand about spay/nueter, or even proper treatment.

Nicole and Macho said...

People are terrible, who could do something like that to such a gorgeous dog?

Hopefully everything works out for this dog even though we know there are so many others out there with the same problem. Don't you wish you could tell the world that if you can't care for a dog, you should not adopt one?

kissa-bull said...

it ish one of mommish frustrations most everyday so many dogs and so little people who are willing to help. she worries and worries most everytime its cold and rainy outside or blistering hot knowing that their is a woggie or kitty out there in need of shelter.

the pittie pack

meowmeowmans said...

Poor doggie. We are purring and praying that he is saved -- soon!

LP said...

I foster senior cats (I'd foster dogs too but don't have the room)and my heart breaks daily just knowing how many animals go without help every day because of people's poor decisions.It's surprising how many people want to believe irresponsible pet owners are rare.Sigh.
I hope this sweet fellow gets a home.Thanks for all you do for cats and dogs.You are super amazing!

the critters in The Cottage

Anonymous said...

Did you see The View (tv show) last week when some "celebrity" was on (I have no idea who she was)and she and Joy B were making fun of people who say adopt from a shelter or rescue. "What will happen to all the other dogs for sale?" they asked, as if we adopters would be creating a larger problem. I should have written a scathing letter but what I did was turn the channel. Joy may think she is funny but more often she is an idiot.

Stanislaw said...

This kind of stuff makes our heart hurt. Mom had a friend who refused to adopt a dog because it had heartworm, and instead took the one that wasn't really a fit. That dog wound up going back to rescue, and neither dog won.

Big Pupi had heartworm when mom took him home. True - the treatment was no fun at all, but he was totally worth it.

We wish that pup all the best.

havetailwillwag said...

geez who puts padlocks on a dog? but wow what a handsome and intelligent looking pooch. i hope he gets adopted!

Donna and the Dogs said...

Awwwww....
Poor guy. Hoping he finds a forever home.
It is so sad that so many animals are in need of rescue, yet the puppy mills keep cranking out more dogs....

Brandon - The dog with a blog said...

Poor thing, we sure hope he gets adopted!

Rudy's Raiser