From New Orleans to New Jersey, 43 Dogs Get New Start

May 11, 2012

In late April, the ASPCA loaded up a vehicle and took a very special road trip. Our cargo was 43 homeless dogs; our mission was to give the pups a chance to find homes in a place where they’d be in high demand.
If you read our blog, you already know that these dogs came from the Louisiana SPCA and landed at St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, in Madison, New Jersey, and its rescue partners the Humane Society of Atlantic County, Jersey Shore Animal Center and Monmouth County SPCA. Two weeks later, we’re happy to report that this life-saving transport has more than paid off—many of these sweet Southern doggies have already joined families!
According to St. Hubert’s Shelter Operations Director Colleen Harrington, 13 of the 15 dogs who remained at her shelter have already been adopted; the remaining two need treatment before going home. And Harrington says her rescue partners are also starting to report adoptions. In fact, they’re already excited for the next transport.
Fortunately, a second trip is already in the works—April’s transport is one of a series to come in the next few months.
“The ASPCA Relocation Initiative works collaboratively to assist animals at risk, moving them to where they have the greatest opportunity to find a home,” says ASPCA Senior Director of Community Outreach Sandy Monterose.
This cutting-edge program helps reduce euthanasia by treating animal homelessness as a national problem, not a regional one, and bringing dogs to where the adopters are. While New Orleans and many other areas of the South are overwhelmed with more dogs than loving homes, adopters in New Jersey are anxious to adopt dogs like Leo, a 118-pound Great Dane puppy, and the other 42 pups from LA/SPCA.
Adds Monterose: “The most viable solution is to transport animals to areas of the country where they are most likely to be adopted. St. Hubert’s and its partners are providing a second chance for these dogs.”
For her part, Harrington says, “St. Hubert’s is proud of the best practices—pre-transport vetting and vaccination, and of course spay/neuter. The collaborative effort with the ASPCA and our New Jersey partners makes this life-saving program possible without displacing any of the local pets in our care.”

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Your Stories: We Are Family

May 4, 2012

Rescue story by Rebecca W.
Asheville, NC
In 2002, my best friend, Kevin, asked me for help finding him a dog for his birthday. I walked into the Humane Society in Columbia, South Carolina, to browse. In the last cage on the left, a single puppy shoved his nose under the gate when he noticed me. He was the only remaining dog of his litter. The shelter employees informed me he was the runt.
But he was perfect! He was blond and reminded me of a Cocker Spaniel. I filled out the paperwork and adopted him on the spot, agreeing to take the puppy myself if he wasn’t a good fit with my friend.
Kevin loved him immensely. However, his roommate didn't. I planned to find a new home for him, but on a trip to the vet for his vaccinations, he started whining and crying from the shot, then fell asleep in my arms.
"Oh crap," I thought. "This is it, done, over, fin." Jeffrey became my newest family member.
Since then, Jeffrey has been diagnosed with a potentially fatal auto-immune disease, had his cataracts removed and lenses implanted in both eyes, been diagnosed with allergies and gone on allergy shots, had an ear infection that lasted six months, had a urinary tract infection for six months, had pancreatitis, and more.
He is now 10 years old, diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and is the happiest pup I know. He has been on some form of medication most of his life. And he thrives! He can't hear well anymore, but is great at tracking squirrels and turkeys on our rural property in western North Carolina. He loves riding in the car, greeting me when I come home, and being submissive to our cat.
Jeffrey is the perfect dog. He is family.

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