HoundsGood: Chronicles of a Virtual Volunteer

I am always excited to find other sites that promote how important it is to adopt a pet, rather than purchase one. A friend of mine said that “as long as someone loves them” it doesn’t matter if a pet was purchased or adopted. That may be true, but only to a certain extent. When a breeder has a litter available, there may be four to eight dogs in shelters who don’t have a chance for a family because someone bought a puppy instead.

Petango is a brand new site where you can search for dogs and cats that are at shelters right now. Some of them are shelters where dogs and cats only get a few days before being euthanized, and some are rescue groups that rescue and rehabilitate dogs and cats from shelters. I don’t see many of the shelters that I regularly post for or volunteer for, but it just means that they have to sign up. The interface is a bit more friendly to those who are used to using Facebook and Twitter.

While I tend to look at dogs first, as I am owned by two myself, I have to emphasize that when you go to Petango.com - Adopt a cat!. While there may be some areas that have a larger population of homeless dogs than others, and some have widespread spay programs, the story for cats is the same everywhere.  At left is Buddy. He is part of a 3 year old brother/sister pair at the Windsor-Essex Humane Society in Ontario. Their owner could not care for them anymore. If you are in Ontario and are looking for a pair of cats who get along famously, you won’t only be changing the world for these two cats, but you will save two lives as a bonus. There will be two other lucky cats who will be able to have more time at the shelter to find a home.

The site is funded by PetHealth, the providers of 24PetWatch, so there are enough financial resources to keep the site operational. There have been so many sites that have only lasted a short time due to funding, so it is a good sign that it will be around if it catches on.  I only have a few criticisms, which hopefully are constructive.  Firstly, I would like to see more information on each pet.  This is not the site’s fault.   It really helps an potential adopter, especially if they have not considered a shelter dog before, to have a little more information than gender and breed.  There is a memo area that no one seems to fill out.  Even the slightest bit of information will help someone connect with a pet and want to save them, or give them clues about suitability for their family so that a permanent match is made.  Of course, if a pet is at a county pound not much can be known, but there must be something.

Secondly, there is no FAQ section to tell us how they screen participating rescues and shelters. Do they just include groups that have emailed them about being on the site, or are they using a feed from another adoption site?  I am just curious to know.

I am going to encourage some of my favorite rescue groups and shelters to contact Petango.com, so that their homeless pets may have one more potential place to attract their new family.

(Pluto is a lab mix. He is neutered and up to date on shots. He is approximately two years old).

There was a hoarder in Franklin, County, Georgia. Actually, not WAS, there IS. The story goes like this. She thought she was helping dogs by keeping every one that wandered on to her property that didn’t seem to find a home. Then, she never spayed and neutered so they all had puppies, and this went on for several generations. Yes, in some counties the better thing to do when you find a dog is to ask around and try to find the owners before taking a dog or cat to the pound. Often, the pet didn’t wander far and the family can be found in minutes, hours, or within a day or two. However, one keeps every animal that they come in contact with, it can be a sickness for both the person and the pets.

This individual was court ordered to surrender a few at a time. You might remember Frannie and Blossom, the senior chow mixes, and littermates Butch, Punk, Bubbelah, and CoCo.  Of course there was Luther, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. Unfortunately, this meant that the dogs and cats were owner turn ins and at the top of the euthanization list. Luckily, I was able to find a rescue for a couple of these guys and so were other volunteers. When there are a huge number surrendered at a time, there are some that aren’t as lucky. Why does this keep happening? There have been judges that forced them to give up dogs and cats, but never barred them from owning more, so there were more to replace them. Finally, it seems there is a judge in the county that just may prevent them from being to own any more pets.

This time, the shelter has posted listings for the dogs and cats before they enter the shelter just in hopes that they can find rescues and homes before entering the shelter.  They will inevitably come in, and that will be fatal to both them and the existing dogs there.  Can we pull together and find places, even if one at a time, before they enter the shelter?

The law IS dealing with this individual, so let’s focus on helping the dogs and cats before they are “owner turn ins,” which will be a detriment to them and to the dogs and cats already at the tiny shelter.

If you are interested in adopting or rescuing Pluto, please call Lisa at 706-675-6201.  Please be courteous.   To see the other dogs and cats, please visit this list.  The pets without an intake number, and with a name instead are whom we are trying to prevent from coming into the shelter.  Many of the dogs are up to date on shots.  The dogs that are listed as shepherd/boxer are related to Butch, Punk, and the others.

There are some things that just make me angry, like this sweet Beagle Bassett at a Georgia shelter.   She is being labelled a Bassett mix, but I really think she is a Beagle/Bassett combo or is Beagle and Corgi.  Either way, she is as cute as a button.  Her family decided that they didn’t want her any more because she had a couple accident.  She just started urinating a lot, so off to the pound she went.  The staff informs people that if a dog is not adopted, they will be euthanized, but apparently that doesn’t matter to them.

A dog that suddenly starts going to the bathroom in the house usually is a sign that there is a problem, and it usually is very fixable.  It is possible that she has a urinary tract infection.  If so, a visit to the vet and some inexpensive medication would do the trick.  Some suggest that keeping a diet low in alkaline (a diet that is higher in protein versus higher in cereals and vegetables).  Of course, there is also the possibility that they had stopped letting her out or there was a major and stressful change at the house and she was reacting to it.

I try not to get too emotional or upset over things, and react by trying to network to find a dog a home instead, but when someone dumps a dog for something that is very easily treatable, it just irks me.  I can’t help but think that the owner just didn’t want to look like a “bad guy” for getting rid of a perfectly nice dog.   Either way, let’s try to help this sweet girl.  She is already spayed, so that rules out that contributor to infection, and also cuts down on the investment a new owner needs to make in initial care.

She is located at Heard County Animal Control in Franklin, Georgia.  THIS IS NOT A NOKILL SHELTER. HER TIME IS UP FRIDAY, October 2nd. When a dog’s time is up, they are euthanized for lack of space.  She needs an adopter or a rescue to step up for her.  Her id number is 70809. Their number is 706-675-3570.  Tell them you read about her on HoundsGood.com

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Buy me a cup of hot chocolate. It really helps keep me writing and makes this site possible!

This sweet girl would make the perfect family pet. Hounds are loyal, are typically good with kids, and aim to please. She is 45-50 lbs and 2-3 yrs old. Her id number is 56909. Her sweet face is etched in the mind of several volunteers, and they don’t seem to be able to make any headway as far as generating any interest in her. She is a very nice girl who is somehow being overlooked.

Sometimes, when a dog is shown lying on the floor, they are thought to be “scared” and people pass them up on Petfinder. Well, sometimes the dog is merely just lying down. Other times, they snap a mug shot as soon as the dog enters the door. Sometimes they were on a pole, sometimes they were trapped in a safe trap. You can imagine they wouldn’t be at their best during that trauma.

Here are some additional photos:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=ybw4dii.8aiwtv02&x=0&h=1&y=-em61nz&localeid=en_US

Please contact the shelter RIGHT NOW and save a life!!! This posting is a last ditch, grasping at straws effort for her to be seen.

Heard County Animal Control Center
11818 Ga Hwy 100
Franklin, GA 30217
Phone: 706-675-3570

I’ve been really frustrated with Petfinder lately. There is a shelter that I know euthanized quite a few dogs and cats, yet they are still on Petfinder. The shelter swears up and down that they updated the site over the weekend, but it still is not updating. Maybe its still in the cache. I have cleared my cookies and opened other browsers and the story is the same. It would be great if they were still there, but I have a feeling people will concentrate on dogs that are no longer there, and in the meantime, new dogs will be euthanized for lack of interest.

I don’t know where volunteers were this week at all.  I received a lot of inquiries after the fact asking, “Oh, did this one make it?”  I feel like saying, “where were you a couple hours ago.”

Dogs that are suspected to have Doberman in them, at left, and the sweetie that I saw in videos on Doug Kaplan’s blog tend to fall through the cracks the most. If they are purebred, like the latter, they may have a chance with a breed rescue. If not, there are so many of them it is hard to find a place. Dobermans are the type of dogs that can be as sweet as pie, but have a bad reputation because they are big and black, and have been used in countless films as attack dogs.  I also don’t understand, that being said, why shelters are quick to label any black and tan dog a Doberman.

Some of these questions are all rhetorical.  I know the answers to many of them, but that doesn’t mean I can’t vent.  I know that the story remains the same, but I wish a few more people would make a decision on the side of responsibility.

The shelter was so slammed this week at Heard County Animal Control.  It is a tough time of year because many people are on vacation.  Rescuers are taking a break.   Families who would normally adopt are away. People that have one dog too many are motivated to surrender dogs because the vacation rental won’t take them, and the family vacation was the deadline to find a home, or they don’t want to pay a kennel.

Today was heartbreaking because there were at least 30 dogs and cats have been euthanized today. There were a couple that have been spared, but we only have a few days to find them a place before they will be euthanize. This dog is only 30 lbs and is thought to be a Spitz mix. He is 1-2 years old, and the Dog id number is 56809. If you are looking for a “not to big, not to small” dog, look no further.

This dog is the shelter favorite.  He is a very sweet Labrador Retriever.  He has a little something else in him, too.  He is about a year, to a year and a half old.  He weighs about 50 lbs.  If you are looking for a walking companion, or a family dog, look no further than him.  His id number is 53209.

This boxer guy has just a smidgen of something else in him, but his attitude is all boxer. He is silly, wiggles a lot, and is very sweet. He is a year to two years old.  His id number is 56109.  When you call, use that id number.

All of these dogs only have a few more days.

A commitment is needed between now and close of business monday.

Heard County Animal Control Center
11818 Ga Hwy 100
Franklin, GA 30217
Phone: 706-675-3570

Shelter Hours:
8:30-12: and 1:00-5:00 M, T, Th
8:30-12: and 1:00-4:00 Fridays
8:30-1:00 Wednesdays
9:30-12:00 Saturday
CLOSED SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS

There are over 40 dogs and countless cats headed for the euthanization room tomorrow at 4:00 P.M, at Heard County AC. I update a page here:http://houndsgood.com/heard-county-animal-control/. Also, the shelter’s petfinder list is HERE.

There are about 40 dogs that will be euthanized tomorrow at 4 PM at Heard County Animal Control in Franklin, GA. This is a small rural shelter with only 8 runs, and dogs are packed on each side.

I am especially touched by this girl, because she has black and tan markings she was labelled a Rottweiler mix. Of course, if someone scrolls past her on Petfinder and can’t have a Rottie they will pass her by and think she is big. Rottweilers are on the list of breeds in some areas that landlords don’t allow, cities ban, and insurance cancels over. The majority of Rotties are big teddy bears, but just like anything else, a few bad apples spoil the apple owners spoil the cart.

This dog is 40 lbs if that. Probably a bit less. Look at that fluffy tail. Does that say Rottweiler to you???  I didn’t think so.   My dachshund is black and tan, coonhounds are black and tan, and a variety of other breeds as well.

If you have it in your heart to help this petite sweetie, please contact the shelter right away.  She and her comrades need to generate some interest by 4:00 PM Tomorrow (FRIDAY)

Her id is 57309.  They do entertain out of area rescue groups and adopters.

Contact Info:

Heard County Animal Control Center
11818 Ga Hwy 100
Franklin, GA 30217
Phone: 706-675-3570

Need to know where Franklin is, there is a map on this page.

Are you looking for a way to help out dogs and cats in need but don’t have a lot of time to do so?  Are you very knowledgeable about a variety of breeds and think you can identify a purebred or a mix? Many shelter dogs would benefit by someone taking a look at them and telling the world what they think they are.  In a rescue group setting, someone can play up a dog’s personality and it doesn’t really matter if no one seems to be able to tell what 57 breeds they are.  However, when a dog is on deathrow, in a county pound, a grossly incorrect breed identification could cost them their life.  They have only so many days to be searched on Petfinder, or so many days for someone to call and ask the shelter if they have that breed.  The most common misinterpretation is assuming every black and white dog is a border collie or that every fluffy dog is a chow.    I have found Novia Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers and Australian Kelpies in shelters, previously labelled indiscriminate golden retriever and small shepherd mixes.  It instantly got the dogs rescued.

Here is a dog right now that is labelled a Spitz (dog number 56809).  A Spitz is not really a breed, unless you are talking about a Finnish Spitz.  A pomeranian, keeshond, American Eskimo, and the Finnish Spitz all fall into the label.    The dog is about 25-30 lbs and COULD have a little Spitz or Eskie in there but its really hard to say, and this sweetheart doesn’t have time for to mull it over.   Maybe there is Lab in there, but if labelled Lab on Petfinder, someone might think of a huge dog and may not adopt if they are looking for someone smaller.

On the other hand, there is also a dog labelled a shepherd/Rotteweiler.  I assume that she is just labelled that because of her black and tan coloring.  She is actually a medium sized dog.  If she was that breed combo, she would be a lot larger.  She almost looks like she could have some spaniel, setter, or hound in there.   I have nothing against Rottweilers.  They are fantastic dogs, but Rottie rescues are so overwhelmed with trying to rescue purebreds, they are not going to look at Heinz 57s.   There are many people who are looking for a great family dog, but may feel a Rottweiler is not the right fit for their family, so they will miss out on cute girls like this one because they will surf past any dog that says “Rottweiler” on it.

Her id number is 57309

Please call the shelter right away if you are a rescue and could help this sweet girl out, or are interested in adoption. These two dogs, among many others, only have until Friday at 4 PM.

Heard County Animal Control Center
11818 Ga Hwy 100
Franklin, GA 30217
Phone: 706-675-3570

I previously reported on this sweet lady at the shelter. Her last day is today, please inquire if interested, right away.

Dogs with skin issues don’t survive long in a shelter environment. Animal Control Officers don’t want mange to spread throughout the shelter. While the dog may not actually have mange, they don’t want to take the risk. Mange is highly treatable, is very inexpensive to treat, but takes time. You need to isolate the dog from others and bathe them very frequently with a special solution. Dogs that have had mange go on to live a very healthy life if that is their only issue.

The dog featured is such a dog that has a skin condition. It has not been named. It could be mange, or it could be an allergy. At any rate, her days are numbers. She is listed as an Australian Shepherd, but I think she is more of a Lab/Aussie or a Heinz 57.

If you are interested in adopting her, or have a rescue license and can take her into your rescue, please contact the shelter. Her id number is 50009. Time up is THIS FRIDAY. For more information on the county pound she is at, click here.

Heard County Animal Control Center
11818 Ga Hwy 100
Franklin, GA 30217
Phone: 706-675-3570

Shelter Hours:
8:30-12: and 1:00-5:00 M, T, Th
8:30-12: and 1:00-4:00 Fridays
8:30-1:00 Wednesdays
9:30-12:00 Saturday
CLOSED SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS

Dogs with skin issues don’t survive long in a shelter environment. Animal Control Officers don’t want mange to spread throughout the shelter. While the dog may not actually have mange, they don’t want to take the risk. Mange is highly treatable, is very inexpensive to treat, but takes time. You need to isolate the dog from others and bathe them very frequently with a special solution. Dogs that have had mange go on to live a very healthy life if that is their only issue.

The dog featured is such a dog that has a skin condition. It has not been named. It could be mange, or it could be an allergy. At any rate, her days are numbers. She is listed as an Australian Shepherd, but I think she is more of a Lab/Aussie or a Heinz 57.

If you are interested in adopting her, or have a rescue license and can take her into your rescue, please contact the shelter.  Her id number is 50009.  Time up is THIS FRIDAY.   For more information on the county pound she is at, click here.

Heard County Animal Control Center
11818 Ga Hwy 100
Franklin, GA 30217
Phone: 706-675-3570

Shelter Hours:
8:30-12: and 1:00-5:00 M, T, Th
8:30-12: and 1:00-4:00 Fridays
8:30-1:00 Wednesdays
9:30-12:00 Saturday
CLOSED SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS

A major rescue effort is going on for 35 dogs and cats at Heard County Animal Control in Franklin, GA.   If the effort fails, all 35 will be euthanized tomorrow morning.  Donations of the following are needed:

• Collars and Leashes for Medium and Large dogs, and several large breed puppies.
• Cat and dog carries.   The toy dog/cat carrier can be used for a cat, the small to medium dog carriers can be used for mom cats with babies, or several older kittens.

A hand is needed also.

• One or two more drivers are needed to drive from Franklin, GA into Tennessee, or Franklin, GA to a point in between.  Driver needs to be ready to load at Heard County animal control at 9:00 A.M. or earlier on Friday (tomorrow) and be able to transport several dogs or cats.

Also, financial donations would be appreciated by the rescue as well.   It will help offset the cost of vet care.  There are two dogs that are owner turn ins that are up to date on their care, and three dogs that have already received their rabies shots.  The rest need help with basic vet care to give them a chance at rescue and home.

This is their last chance.  There has been little or no interest in the dogs and cats because of the holiday weekend, and the shelter is closed to the public over the holiday.   One shelter, in Henry County, already lost all but seven souls in the entire shelter.  Let’s not lose 35 more!

Please see the Heard County Animal Control page for the latest details.

Jack and Hennessey are now home!!!  Thank you for all of your help.  A shout out goes to A Day In the Good Life and the Humane Society of West Texas who were nice enough to reblog about their Incredible Journey!  Now, there are five more dogs that need our help.  Ace and Abi, shown in the far left, are a case of an owner moving out of state and just dropping their dogs off at Animal Control!

If you live or work, or can reasonably get to I-75 between Atlanta and Dayton, Ohio, your assistance is graciously requested.   Five wonderful dogs have a rescue in Toledo who is willing to take them out of a high kill shelter in the Atlanta area.   There are just no takers on giving them a ride. Many transports occur on Saturdays, but the problem this week is that Saturday is a holiday, where many people just don’t want to drive.  The biggest factor is that the shelter itself is closed on the 4th, so there is no way to even pick up the dogs that day.    Is anyone along this route and is willing to take part of the drive prior to Saturday?  Also, if there is anyone willing to be a temporary foster in the Atlanta area, or somewhere along the way just so they can get out of the shelter until the rest of the journey comes together?

There are five dogs total.  If you can’t fit them all, the legs can be split up between two drivers.  If they cannot find a ride, they will be euthanized.   The only alternative is to find a spot in a local rescue.  If you know anyone who can take these dogs, or can drive, please spread the word along.

***Updated 7/1.  The shelter IS NOW CLOSED SATURDAY!!!*****

Times and legs are all flexible.  If your car is not big enough for 5, we have split the legs.

Reason for transport: from kill shelter to rescue

Sending Shelter
Heard County Animal Control Center
11818 Ga Hwy 100
Franklin, GA 30217
Phone: 706-675-3570

http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/GA430.html

Receiving Rescue
Pooky Boo Rescue
Toledo Ohio
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/OH663.html

**Route and Legs**

All legs are flexible! Please let us know if you need to change anything!

15 minutes has been added to each leg for water/potty breaks

FRIDAY JULY 3rd, 2009

Leg 1 driver 1 - filled, thanks Dee!
driver 2 - filled, thanks Holly!
Depart: Franklin GA 9:00 am
Arrive: Marietta GA 10:30 am
1 hour 30 min

Leg 2 driver 1 filled, thanks Linda
driver 2 - needed
Depart: Marietta GA 10:45 am
Arrive: Chattanooga TN 12:15 pm
1 hour 30 min

Leg 3 -driver 1 - filled, thanks Elisabeth!
driver 2 - filled, thanks Jennie!
Depart: Chattanooga TN 12:30 pm
Arrive: Knoxville TN 2:00 pm
1 hour 30 min

Leg 4 - driver all dogs possibly filled by Heather (pls confirm this change)
Depart: Knoxville TN 2:15 pm
Arrive: London KY 3:45 pm
1 hour 30 min

Leg 5 -driver 1 - filled, thanks Lauren!
  driver 2 - needed
Depart: London KY 4:00 pm
Arrive: Williamstown KY 5:30 pm
1 hour 30 min

possible change in plans - may overnight and continue Sat morning

Leg 6 -driver all dogs - filled, thanks Terrie!
Depart: Williamstown KY 5:45 pm
Arrive: Dayton OH 7:15 pm
1 hour 30 min

Leg 7 - Needed, rescue unable to meet transport
Depart: Dayton OH 7:30 pm
- Hide quoted text -
Arrive: Toledo OH 10:00 pm
2 hours 30 min
may be divided into 2 legs

please reply to cherryharleysavinganimals@yahoo.com

 Do not contact the shelter for offers to drive, as they may not pass them along.  Contact the shelter if you are interested in adoption or rescuing them!  If you can drive, email Emily or leave a comment!

I reactivated the Heard County Animal Control page that I used to have on this site.   I deleted it for awhile, because I didn’t keep it updated due to life circumstances.   Now, it is completely up to date with the latest policies, and of course, the latest dogs and cats in need.   There are many more cats that are not listed as of yet.

It was a very gut wrenching day.  Someone dumped an entire family of dogs this week.  There was mom, dad, and all the kids.  Their person ended up in the hospital, and the family decided that they did not want to take care of their dogs too, so out they went.   Luckily, a rescue spoke up for them, and they left the building.   The same happened with five lucky puppies.   The toughest dogs are always black labs and black lab mixes.  A lot of folks express how wonderful it was to grow up with a lab, but when push comes to shove, they get left behind at shelters.

Right now, there is the case of Jack and Hennessey.   They are yet another case of an owner going into the hospital and the family not wanting to deal with their dogs.  Hennessey has someone interested in her, but Jack, the already neutered Black Lab has no bites.   I really hoped that they could stay together, or at least the idea that he was already neutered, so his adoption fee would be smaller, would give someone extra incentive, but there has been nothing so far.

The timestamps may be different, but the dogs did indeed come in together.  We just happened to be able to get an updated photo of Hennessey.

 Now, there is the matter of arranging a ride for Hennessey to go from Georgia to upstate New York, unless someone at the last minute will take both together.  It would be great to find someone else in NY to adopt Jack who would let the two visit every so often, as they grew up together.  Then, there is the small matter of Jack going to be euthanized on Monday if he generates no interest.   If you are interested in Jack, or helping them both, please look for more details on the Heard County page.