Happy Tails

From Baldwin Park to Maine: Bob’s Story

When Jana Savage, animal advocate and UHA volunteer,  first laid eyes on the sick kitten in the Baldwin Park Animal Care Center’s medical clinic, she knew she had to help. Chloe, as Jana named her, was suffering from Sarcoptic Mange, a skin condition caused by mites. Under most circumstances, Chloe’s chances of adoption would have been small, but this little one was lucky to have Jana on her side.

In the end, Chloe turned out to be Bob (oops!), and with the help of Jana, UHA’s Angel Fund, a donation from the Heigl Foundation, and a compassionate foster mom, Bob is now healthy, happy, and, most importantly, home. This is Bob’s story in Jana’s own words:

When I first met Bob (and for the next two months) I thought he was a Chloe. I like to think this early gender mixup has not had a lasting effect on him. By the looks of it, Bob is doing just fine these days.

Sweet Bob was suffering horribly from Sarcoptic Mange at the shelter. When I saw him in the clinic I knew I was in trouble because I just couldn’t let him fall through the cracks, and there was no way my 3 dogs would allow a cat in our house.

An amazing friend of mine, who already had a full plate with two dogs and a small child, took him in and nursed him back to health. Once Bob was healthy, she graciously said goodbye to Bob and I sent him to live with my brother, his wife and their cat, Midge, in Maine.  Bob is doing swimmingly and getting more and more acclimated to a stable and loving home every day.

My brother sent me this message: “He keeps going through phases of comfort…About a week ago he started sprawling out in all directions, when before he would always tuck his limbs in while he napped.”

Bob has completed my brother’s family and they couldn’t be happier. My brother and his wife have a loyal companion, and Midge has a best feline friend forever. The difference between when I first saw him and how happy and healthy is now is a prime example of what can happen when people join together to save a life. 

Blackie’s Story: Why Spaying and Neutering Matter

Meet Blackie, the poster puppy for spaying and neutering. Many might ask how a well-behaved, loving four-month old puppy winds up at a shelter as an owner surrender. Unfortunately, the answer is all too common: Blackie was part of an unplanned and unwanted litter. Unable to care for their own dogs plus a litter of Rottweiler-Pit Bull mix puppies, Blackie’s former owners surrendered her to the shelter.  Celene, a committed volunteer, instantly fell in love with the sweet puppy. Celene recalls:

“She was the perfect forever dog, the one that would cuddle up and try to fit in your lap.  She was smart and easy to train, she would be fun to take on hikes or chase tennis balls in a dog park.  She was adorable and would be the dog to show off to the world. It broke my heart to see her shaking in the shelter and shattered me to think she might have lost her life, since her owners couldn’t find a home for her all  because they didn’t spay or neuter their pets.

Stories like Blackie’s often don’t end well. Young puppies have immature immune systems and are susceptible to disease. Further, crowded shelters that receive stray and surrendered animals every day cannot keep dogs indefinitely, and even puppies can be put to sleep if no one comes to adopt them.

Thankfully, though, Blackie’s story has a happy ending. With a little help from her UHA Glamour Shot and video, which highlighted her winning personality, and the advocacy of UHA and shelter volunteers, Blackie was adopted. Because she was spayed on adoption, she will not contribute to the cycle of unwanted, homeless litters.

“The kisses she gave me will always be a happy memory knowing she is safe now,” Celene says.

Please help stop this cycle by spaying and neutering your pets, and encouraging your friends and neighbors to do the same. Some low-cost spay/neuter resources include:

The Jason Debus Heigl Foundation spays and neuters animals for free through their Heigl Ray of Hope Program. Residents of Baldwin Park (zip code 91706) and El Monte (zip codes 91731, 91732, and 91733) can set up an appointment with one phone call to 818-755-6045.

The Pasadena Humane Society spays and neuters Chihuahuas and Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes for free in select areas surrounding Pasadena, and sterilizes all other dogs from select areas at a low cost.  Visit http://www.pasadenahumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=services_snip for more information.

Fix Nation spay and neuters feral cats for free and tame cats for a low cost.  Visit http://fixnation.org/about/ for more information.

For a complete list of Spay and Neuter Clinics in Los Angeles County area, please check http://www.spaycalifornia.org/vetlist/vetlist_losangeles.htm (Note: This website cannot be viewed in Mozilla Firefox.)

The Happy Tails of Dudley

A little while ago, a notable package arrived at the United Hope for Animals PO Box.  We were delighted to open it and find this update from Dudley (formerly Diderot of the Baldwin Park Animal Care Center), a little Shih Tzu who was adopted last June. Below is the touching story of Dudley’s journey home. Congratulations on your new life, Dudley!

A New Mom for Nigel

Nigel & Elyse

Nigel & Elyse

When Elyse was finally ready to own her first dog, she was excited to give a loving home to a pup in need.  She was very interested in adopting, but overwhelmed by the task of choosing the right pet, so she contacted United Hope for Animals for assistance.  We helped her find a great match from among the 350 dogs available for adoption every day at the Baldwin Park Animal Care Center.

 

Ready for a hike

Ready for a hike!

 

 

There is a large variety of all ages, sizes and breeds in LA shelters, and Elyse couldn’t wait to begin her search to find her own perfect pet.  After falling in love over and over again, she was able to narrow down her selection to four suitable companions, with the help of UHA Program Director Laura Knighten.  While each of the dogs she singled out for an individual visit were special, she just kept coming back to Casper, now renamed Nigel.  He stole her heart once and for all, and by the sound of their life together, she has stolen his!

 Elyse tells us a little about her experience finding Nigel:

“For my entire adult life, I’ve wanted a dog more than just about anything. Last Thanksgiving was finally the right time, so I visited the Baldwin Park Shelter and met with UHA Program Director Laura Knighten. I probably fell in love 50 times, but Nigel (then “Casper”) was the young dog that really stole my heart. Watching him proudly chase a tennis ball around the visiting yard was hilarious and charming. Since coming home, Nigel has been loving, sweet, sometimes frustrating, and always entertaining. He loves to hike, sleep in odd places and hang out with Charles, my parents’ rescue dog. We have a good thing going, Nigel and I. It’s cheesy but true: Nigel changed my life for the better and I’m thankful for him every day.”

Nigel sleeping

Sleepy Nigel

 

Nigel & BFF Charles

With his BFF Charles