Shelter Professionals

Tiny and helpless, Emmie -- a 5-week-old female Lab mix -- was discovered in the backyard of a home. She had likely been thrown over the fence by an owner who didn’t want the responsibility of caring for the puppy -- and who evidently had not been for some time, judging by Emmie’s neglected head injury and severe mange. Fortunately, Emmie’s rescuers took her to the Animal Relief and Rescue Fellowship, where she was given medical (and tender loving) care with aid from a Second Chance Fund grant. Although Emmie was plagued by nightmares for some time, the lovable pup spent her days befriending other animals during her recovery. Today, Emmie has found a forever home with a family that includes three young boys who have found their new best friend.

Chip and Chew -- two 18-year-old blue-and-gold macaws -- were surrendered to Under My Wing Avian Refuge by a friend of their owner due to lack of proper care. Both birds were dirty and smelled terrible upon arrival, and both had lameness in their feet that made standing and gripping difficult. Chew had plucked out all the feathers on his chest, back, legs and underarms due to anxiety, and Chip had a broken beak and puncture wounds on her chest that were infected. A Second Chance Fund grant helped provide for their medical care, and the rescue group reports that with the proper care and attention, the birds should recover their sweet, loving natures.

When Wyatt, an 8-year-old mammoth gelding donkey, was rescued from a slaughter plant holding pen, he was painfully thin and had a broken ear and nose, large rope scars, bleeding cuts all over his body, a nasal infection and overgrown hooves. After surgery and medication paid for in part by a Second Chance Fund grant, Wyatt made a full recovery and has been placed in a new home along with another donkey from Longhopes. According to his rescuers, Wyatt is “a big goofy donkey” who is extremely affectionate, gentle and easy to handle. “It is difficult to imagine an animal so big that just wants people to hug on him, but that is Wyatt!”

Penny, a 1-year-old beagle, first arrived at a Virginia veterinary clinic with an “accidental” skull fracture. She came back shortly thereafter with a fractured leg, which her owner said had gotten tangled in a leash. A metal plate was inserted in Penny’s leg, and she was sent home with detailed care instructions. When Penny’s owner failed to provide the necessary follow-up, the metal plate partially erupted from the little dog’s leg, which eventually had to be amputated. The veterinarian who performed the surgeries suspected that abuse and neglect had caused the initial injury, and that continued neglect was responsible for the amputation. The vet contacted animal control, which seized Penny and brought her to Heritage Humane Society, where a Second Chance Fund grant helped pay for her recovery. Despite the obstacles Penny faced, she was amazingly friendly and adapted almost instantly to her new three-legged lifestyle. Described as “one of the sweetest dogs we have ever encountered at the shelter,” it was no surprise that a staff member fell in love with Penny and adopted the hardy hound.

Kendra, a 1-year-old filly, was discovered in the “kill pen” of a horse dealer who is known for selling horses to slaughter plants outside the U.S. Three rescue groups raised funds to purchase Kendra, and she was then brought to Freedom Hill Horse Rescue, where she was given immediate medical care paid for in part by a Second Chance Fund grant. Kendra was starved and suffering from severe dehydration, anemia and pneumonia, but according to her rescuers, “She had life in her eyes that said, ‘If you help me, I will survive.’” In fact, Kendra required one week of intensive care, followed by many months of frequent feedings, medications and monitoring. She was a well-behaved, curious and willing filly throughout the long treatment process, which saved her from certain death. Kendra has since been adopted to a forever home in West Virginia and is now a happy, healthy and wonderfully well-adjusted horse.

Tethered in the back of a pick-up truck, 1-year-old pit bull mix Champ didn’t stand a chance after falling out of the vehicle during a turn. He was dragged for two blocks and then, when his collar came loose, Champ was run over by the truck. His owners brought him to The Humane Society of Southern Arizona, although they at first denied he was their dog. Upon Champ’s arrival at the shelter’s clinic, 25 percent of his skin had either been burned or completely removed by the scorching hot pavement, his toes were partially scraped off and he was bleeding profusely. In spite of his immense pain, Champ managed to wag his tail and welcomed the help of the veterinary staff, who performed surgery immediately. Throughout his horrific ordeal, Champ remained a loving, friendly, good-tempered boy who loves attention. After admitting that they were responsible for the incident, the family relinquished ownership of Champ to the shelter, which received a Second Chance Fund grant from American Humane. Today, Champ (now known as Rex) is safely ensconced in a loving home where he is enjoying life with his new family.

In June 2009, seven cocker spaniels -- Callie, Casper, Harley, Buddy, Bree, Mickey and Abigail -- were dropped off by their owner at a Maryland animal shelter. The dogs were covered in urine and suffered from cuts, severe eye and ear problems, rotted teeth and flea infestations, and it was clear that they were completely unfamiliar with toys, leashes and even dog bowls. Since the shelter was full, Chesapeake Cats & Dogs rescued the collection of cockers and ensured that they received much-needed medical treatment with assistance from a Second Chance Fund grant. All of the dogs thrived in foster care, and six have found new homes, while the seventh is working on shyness issues in hopes of being adopted out in the near future.

Life as a puppy mill breeding female couldn’t have been easy or pleasant for Lucy, a 5-year-old standard poodle. She had never been groomed and had developed severe ear infections by the time the breeder surrendered her to Whipstaff Ranch and Rescue. Ablation of Lucy’s ear canals was performed with financial assistance from American Humane’s Second Chance Fund. According to the volunteers at Whipstaff, Lucy has a gentle spirit and loves people, despite the fact that she had never known life in a home until coming to the rescue.

When Murphy, an 11-year-old Pekinese, was rescued from a puppy mill, he had a massive eye injury caused by a puncture wound that had been left untreated for years, severe dental problems, a fractured jaw and a nearly fatal infestation of hookworms and whipworms. Although veterinarians initially believed his eye could be saved, it was eventually removed -- with help from a Second Chance Fund grant -- because Murphy had lost vision in it and was in considerable pain. Throughout his recovery, Murphy was a gentle, loving dog who rolls on his back to show his belly and wiggles his tail like a propeller when he is picked up. Thankfully, Murphy found his forever home when he was adopted by one of the rescue group’s volunteers.

After spending the evening at a local bar, the owner of Harley, a 2-year-old male Rottweiler, returned home to find that the dog -- who had been locked in a bedroom for hours -- had soiled the carpet. Harley’s owner subsequently beat and stabbed the dog with a muzzle-loading rifle, causing deep lacerations and massive mouth injuries, including multiple teeth that were broken at the gum line. The owner -- who had an extensive criminal record -- was arrested and charged with animal cruelty. Harley was taken into custody and subsequently went through corrective oral surgeries in which all the teeth on one side of his mouth were pulled, paid for in part by a Second Chance Fund grant. Friends of Pets made arrangements for Harley’s rehabilitation with a foster family, where he loved to play and snuggle with women and children (although he is afraid of most men), and he has since been adopted into his forever home.

After both owners of Truman, a 4-year-old male Great Dane, died within two months of each other, he was given to a homeless man who eventually brought Truman to the Rogue Valley Humane Society, stating he would shoot the dog if the shelter didn’t take him. Truman was emaciated and had severe mange that caused constant itching, serious eye problems and four painful, bleeding, pus-filled paws. An American Humane Second Chance Fund grant helped pay for Truman’s medical care, which started the amazingly sweet and loving “gentle giant” on the road to recovery and normalcy. Each day, Truman continues to improve physically and is being fostered in his future permanent home.

In late June 2009, a pet cat disappeared for a few days. His owners weren’t alarmed at first because Hadley was a known “wanderer.” However, when the adventurous cat finally dragged himself home, it was clear that tragedy had struck. Hadley had been cruelly doused in gasoline and set on fire. Third-degree burns covered his ears, neck, legs and back, exposing raw flesh in multiple places.

The authorities attempted to find the perpetrator of this terrible crime but, so far, have been unable to locate him or her. Meanwhile, Hadley’s owners couldn’t afford to pay for their pet’s expensive rehabilitation and turned him in to a local animal shelter. Fortunately, with support from American Humane’s Second Chance Fund, the shelter was able to pay for Hadley’s medical treatment. The brave little cat has almost healed, and will be adopted into a new, loving home once his long recovery is complete.

Like the mythological bird that rose from the ashes for which she is named, Phoenix -- a 1-year-old tortoiseshell cat -- managed to somehow survive being doused with charcoal lighter fluid and set ablaze allegedly by two young brothers who owned her. (Tragically, the family dog was also set on fire and did not live.) When the little cat -- who suffered second- and third-degree burns on 20 percent of her body -- returned home after three days, a family member called animal control. The veterinarians who cared for her say that despite her terrible injuries, Phoenix not only fought hard for her life, but purred and rubbed lovingly against the people trying to save her. Treatment of her severe burns was painful, lengthy and expensive, but with the help of an American Humane Second Chance Fund Grant, Phoenix has indeed risen again and is awaiting a new forever home.

The outlook for three neglected ferrets -- Blacknose, Garfield and Beethoven -- was not good when they first arrived at the Greater Chicago Ferret Association. Blacknose had spent his first five years confined to a cage in his owner’s basement before being surrendered to the shelter. The poor animal had rarely been released to play, and had also developed a dangerous and painful tumor on his tail that went untreated. Meanwhile, Garfield was found on the street with a large infected mass extending over a hind leg. He had likely been abandoned by an owner unwilling to care for him. A third ferret, Beethoven, was surrendered to the shelter with severe urinary problems, signs of adrenal disease, rashes all over his little body and an infected tooth that had broken off nearly at the root. Like his namesake, Beethoven had also succumbed to complete deafness.

Fortunately, a Second Chance Fund grant from American Humane was awarded to treat and rehabilitate these sweet little pets. All three have regained their health -- and rediscovered their playful natures. Beethoven and Garfield have already been adopted into new, loving homes, and Blacknose is safe in a foster home, where he awaits permanent placement.

When a Williams County, Ohio, humane officer received a call reporting a very skinny dog that appeared to be a greyhound on a rural property, she could not have imagined the horror she would actually find: Izzy, a starving 7-month-old female Great Dane who weighed an appalling 53 pounds. The skeleton-like dog -- who was being kept in a trash- and feces-filled garage with no ventilation, sunlight, food or water -- collapsed as she was greeted by the officer, who immediately called for backup to remove Izzy, two other emaciated dogs and three kittens. After the animals were taken to The Williams County Humane Society, Izzy was transferred to a nearby veterinary clinic for emergency medical care. A Second Chance Fund Grant from American Humane helped subsidize treatment for her extensive medical problems, including malnutrition, dehydration, fleas, and multiple open wounds on her face and legs. Today, Izzy is slowly putting on weight and being treated like a queen while she continues to recover back at the shelter. According to the humane officer who rescued Izzy, “Her eyes say it all now: Thank you.”

As if the life of a breeding female dog isn’t grueling enough, the right front leg of 3-year-old Italian greyhound Athena had been badly broken for months while she continued to deliver and wean puppies. A friend of the backyard breeder who owned Athena surrendered her to Lost Paws Rescue of Texas, and she was immediately taken to a veterinarian. The vet determined that her leg was so seriously damaged that it had to be re-broken and set -- a procedure paid for in part by a Second Chance Fund Grant from American Humane. Throughout her ordeal, Athena made new friends and played with everyone she met, displaying the indomitable spirit that has already helped her find a permanent home with a loving couple and another dog who has become her constant companion.

If cats really do have nine lives, Caesar -- a 4-year-old Himalayan -- used up several of his during the spring of 2009. Normally an indoor cat, Caesar sustained multiple fractures and wounds to his right rear leg when he escaped from home and got caught in a car engine. Caesar’s owner took him to a veterinarian, who offered to amputate the leg for free and re-home the cat after his recovery; however, the owner refused and asked that Caesar be euthanized instead. Upon the vet’s refusal to do so, the owner took Caesar to an overcrowded shelter, where chances were high that he would be euthanized. Defying fate once again, the still-injured cat was adopted shortly thereafter by a good Samaritan, who unfortunately couldn’t afford the necessary medical care, so Caesar remained in pain for several more days before being relinquished to Helping Persian Cats. With assistance from a Second Chance Fund Grant, surgery was performed to save Caesar’s leg. Since then, he has become a favorite at the animal hospital, where his outgoing, affectionate personality and amazing resiliency have given the staff high hopes for his recovery and eventual adoption.

Showing clear signs of a lifetime of neglect, 5-year-old hound mix Stella was found as a stray in Indiana, where she was brought to the local humane society. Due to the stress of fending for herself, Stella had accumulated a long litany of medical issues: Lyme disease, buckshot wounds to her head and chest, severe dental decay, malnutrition, and whipworm and Giardia infestations among others. Thankfully, due to her sweet expression and shy, gentle personality, Stella was selected for relocation to The Animal Welfare Society in Maine through the Paws Across America program, which transfers highly desirable dogs and puppies from overpopulated areas. Stella has now completed treatment for a number of her maladies and is gaining weight and growing healthier day by day. Currently in foster care -- where she is taking walks, playing with toys and lounging on the couch -- Stella will soon be well enough to find a forever home filled with the love and attention she lived without for so long.

In mid-February 2009, 67 small-breed dogs were rescued from a puppy mill in southern Colorado, where poor living conditions and neglect converged to create an abundance of health and behavioral problems for the animals. The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region agreed to care for the influx of mostly female dogs and -- with the help of a Second Chance Fund Grant -- provide them with much-needed medical attention, including extensive dental work and deworming. Most of the dogs have since been sent to foster homes, adopted or transferred to a dog-mill rescue organization, where they will be shielded from additional hardship until they can find loving homes.

Weak and almost lifeless with deep wounds to her face and right eye, De De -- a 7-year-old dachshund -- had been wrapped in a blanket and heartlessly tossed in a dumpster. Fortunately, the garbage truck driver on that particular route regularly checks the trash bins for fear of finding a human body or pet. On this day, his fears were realized, and after unwrapping the frail dog, he rushed her to the local animal shelter. There, all hearts and hands reached out to De De, who still craved human interaction despite her battered condition. Although it is not known whether her injuries were caused by another animal or by human abuse, a grant from the Second Chance Fund paid for the cleaning of her wounds, the removal of her ulcerated eye and the extraction of 22 teeth. Happily, De De has been adopted by the veterinary technician who fostered her during her recovery -- and who is also the “forever” mom to yet another lovable one-eyed dachshund.