Pit Bull Rescue Happens One Very Lucky Dog at a Time

We planned to feature our boy “Shady,” Pet-of-the-Week for January 15^th when he had already been in the shelter for a month.  Now the middle of February, the volunteers who regularly work with our county shelter dogs were getting nervous about Shady’s prospects.

Two weeks after featuring Shady as POTW,  June Bug, another Pit-mix, was up.  Both were brought in as strays; both dogs had been passed over again and again; and, both dogs were beloved by every volunteer who worked with them.

Like too many abandoned dogs needing another chance, June Bug and Shady were additionally handicapped by the excessive number of Pit-mixes who find themselves at our sorely inadequate County Shelter.

SHADY

JUNE BUG

 Problems placing Pit Bulls and Pit-mixes extend well beyond our county.  Even our rescue partners, locally and up north, will often stipulate “No Pit Bulls” in their transfer guidelines.  So these marvelous, affectionate, intelligent creatures languish in an over-crowded facility, stressing our

county staff and worrying the FOTAS volunteers silly.

Sometimes a little magic or a few well-placed miracles happen, often when we need them most.  This time, someone met someone who happened to mention something, and a few calls later we had new rescue partner accessible to our transport angel, Mark.  On February 11^th , 19 Aiken County Shelter dogs went north.  One of them was June Bug. 

Ten days later, our new rescue partner forwarded the following message: 

 I wanted to take a minute to thank you and your amazing staff for all that you do.  We have been visiting the Animal League for over 11 years now.  My first adoption took place in March of 2001… You worked with me and matched me with a Boxer/German Shepherd puppy...Three years ago on St. Patrick’s Day, I fell in love immediately with a Plott Hound/Pit Bull named "Aintso."  Again your staff worked with us to ensure he was a perfect fit...and he was.  Just this past Saturday, after a year of looking for another dog to complete our family, we met "June Bug."  It took us no more than 5 minutes to see she was the missing piece we had been searching for…  We can't thank you enough for loving these dogs until they find forever homes like ours.

 Sincerely,

June Bug’s New Family

Last Thursday another 14 dogs went north to the same rescue.  One was Shady.  Perhaps June Bug’s love story paved the way, or maybe it was this heartfelt plea:

“We would be so grateful if you would please consider taking Shady on the transfer this Thursday as well. You have our word that you will love him as much as we do. All our

volunteers have begged me to ask you to please take this dog…so special and so appreciative of any attention that comes his way…”

County dogs have less than 7 chances in 100 of being saved by a transfer up north.  Most of the dogs put down last week were unwanted, sick puppies.  Please adopt shelter dogs and promote spay/neuter.  

FOTAS Volunteers work with the AIKEN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER, 411 Wire Road.  For more information, contact “info@fotasaiken.org” or visit FOTAS on line at www.fotasaiken.org

Aiken County Animal Shelter:  “By the Numbers”

For the week Feb. 13th thru 19th 2012

Received: 57 dogs and 12 cats

Adoptions: 6 dogs and 4 cats

Euthanized: 54 dogs and 9 cats

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week” 

PORSHA - 4.5 yrs Husky/Basset gal.  

 Love this treasure but lap your fencing.  She prefers company or will dig. $38.

 

BOOTS  – 1 yr. Male. A purr-fect love. $20