Your Contributions At Work
Dear Friends,
Sometimes home is not where the heart is, but rather a home where the hurt is. Recently, I received a call that required the work of our humane investigator. Two Labrador dogs were living in a garage and they had not been seen outside for at least 4 months. Our humane investigator contacted the Sheriff’s office and met the Deputy at the location.
They both smelled a strong, foul odor coming out of the garage. At first, they couldn’t open the garage door, but when the door finally opened, they discovered what had blocked it. Feces-ridden, urine soaked mounds of trash covered the area.
One dog, Claire, was running around loose in the garage. In the back of the dark garage, in a small, rusty wire dog crate, there was the other dog. The conditions were deplorable. No food, no water, and empty containers covered with feces and urine. His name was Buddy and he was 2 years old. His crate was so small, he couldn’t stand or sit without bending his head, yet he had lived in that crate all of his life. The owner surrendered both animals to WHS.
When Buddy and Claire arrived at WHS, staff and volunteers bathed and vaccinated them. When the WHS veterinarian examined the dogs, she found they both had dental disease, fleas, and overgrown nails. To add to his woes, Buddy also had tapeworms, was extremely timid, and 15 pounds underweight.
After their exam, the dogs were placed in kennels with warm blankets, food, and water. When staff started to leave the area, they found Buddy wouldn’t eat. As starving as he was, his craving for affection outweighed his desire for food. “I have never seen a neglected or abused animal choose attention over food in the fifteen years I have been investigating cases,” said our humane investigator, about the degree of neglect Buddy had experienced at the hands of his owner.
Within a week of being available for adoption, Buddy found a home with Juanita. She had come to the shelter because “every animal should have a second chance.” When she saw Buddy he seemed to be just the right dog for her family. Before heading to his new home, WHS staff gave Buddy one more health check-up, microchipped him, fitted him with a new collar and personalized ID tag.
After a month, Juanita noted that, “Buddy is finally acting like a dog.” He has gained weight, his dull feces-stained coat is now yellow and shiny. “He is very much loved, and is a real part of our family.” At the time of Buddy’s adoption, Claire was transferred to another humane society that partners with WHS. She was happily adopted within three days.
Willamette Humane Society works every day to rescue, rehabilitate, and find loving homes for abused, neglected, and homeless pets. In these economic times, the cost of caring for the animals has increased substantially and the animals keep coming. Each year, over 10,000 animals enter our doors needing shelter, warmth, and care. Your tax-deductible contribution gives them the gift of life and a second chance for a permanent home.
On behalf of the animals,
Susan Carey
Executive Director
P.S. Make a secure online donation or give conveniently through WHS’s Golden Hearts monthly automatic withdrawal program. With a minimum $10 a month donation, you help WHS rescue and rehabilitate thousands of homeless animals.
