HoundsGood: Chronicles of a Virtual Volunteer

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.

Last week, a pair of dogs, who had been together from a very young age were dumped off at animal control. Their elderly owner had bladder cancer, and their family refused to take care of the man’s beloved dogs.  They felt like taking care of the man was enough as it was. For me, it was hard to believe a family wouldn’t come to the conclusion that having his pets around him would keep him upbeat.

Death seemed imminent, as owner turn ins are the first to be euthanized. After all, the shelter need not hold them to give owners a chance to find them because they are not looking for them. “Pairs” are sometimes a tough sell on rescues or adopters as people feel badly not being able to keep them together, so opt for another dog. It seemed like there was no hope for these two, until a kind woman named Mary spotted Hennesey on petfinder from over a thousand miles away, and knew that she would fit in well with her two existing dogs.  Having a three dog limit where she lived, she could not take on Jack. We were thrilled, of course, when the sweet black and white lady was chosen, but feared that her buddy would be left behind to die. Even though he was neutered, so the main adoption expense would not have to be paid, black labs are a tough sell because there are so many at the shelters.

Jack was to be euthanized today. He was held over from Friday, and given one last chance. Over the weekend, a miracle happened. Mary was at a family function and mentioned her sadness over not being able to save both. Lo and behold, a relative – I believe the sibling of an in-law – overheard the tale of the two tails, and was interested in adopting Jack!Now, instead of being euthanized together, one making it and one not, or being split up and going separate ways, these dogs will be able to live the rest of their lives seeing each other from time to time! They will live just about an hour apart, and their owners are connected through blood and marriages, so the happy reunions will happen for these dogs not just once for old time’s sake, but regularly.This would seem like a Hollywood ending, but there is just one more element that has to come together and that is their transport to freedom.   There is a legged transport organized to get them from a kill shelter in Georgia, to their new homes in upstate New York.Do you live a long the way?  Can you help?  If you have ever taken a drive with your dog somewhere before, you are definitely well qualified to assist these kids get home.

SATURDAY JUNE 27TH, 2009 ~SUNDAY JUNE 28TH, 2009~

FRANKLIN, GA to Jordan NY

Passenger is coming from kill shelter to New Approved home waiting.

Transport Coordinator: Emily
Phone: 334-744-5590

Email:
cherryharleysavinganimals @ yahoo.com

Passenger List:
Hennessy~BORDER COLLIE MIX FEMALE
Jack~ Black Lab Neutered Male

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

Going to New home
Mary Hunnicutt ~Jordan, NY 13080
**All Passengers travel uncrated with leash and collar
****Paperwork accompanies all passengers
All legs flexible

SATURDAY JUNE 27TH, 2009

Leg 1- FILLED~THANK YOU EMILY
Depart: Franklin GA 8:00 am
Arrive: Atlanta GA 9:10 am
1 hour 10 min

Leg 2 – FILLED~THANK YOU
Depart: Atlanta GA 9:25 am
Arrive: Commerce GA 10:35 am
1 hour 10 min

Leg 3 – FILLED~THANK YOU
Depart: Commerce GA 10:50 am
Arrive: Greenville SC 12:05 pm
1 hour 15 min

Leg 4 -FILLED~THANK YOU
Depart: Greenville SC 12:20 pm
Arrive: Gaffney SC 1:15 pm
55 min

Leg 5 – FILLED~THANK YOU
Depart: Gaffney SC 1:30 pm
Arrive: Charlotte NC 2:30 pm
1 hour

Leg 6 – FILLED~THANK YOU
Depart: Charlotte NC 2:45 pm
Arrive: Jonesville NC 4:00 pm
1 hour 15 min

Leg 7 –

NEEDED~
Depart: Jonesville NC 5:15 pm
Arrive Willis VA 6:20 pm
1 hr 5 min

Overnight in Willis, VA – thanks Rigel!

Sunday, June 28,2009

Blue Tick Hound joins transport

Leg 8  filled, thank you Rigel!
Depart Willis VA        6:30 am
Arrive Roanoke VA    7:45 am

Leg 9 - NEEDED~
Depart: Roanoke VA 8:00 am

Arrive: Staunton VA 9:20 am

1 hour 20 min
Leg 10 -FILLED~THANK YOU
Depart: Staunton VA 9:35 am
Arrive: Mount Jackson VA 10:30 am
55 min

Leg 11 -
NEEDED~ FILLED~THANK YOU
Depart: Mount Jackson VA 10:45 am
Arrive: Martinsburg WV 11:50 am
1 hour 5 min

Leg 12 – FILLED~THANK YOU
Depart Martinsburg WV 12:05 pm
Arrive: Carlisle PA 1:20 pm
1 hour 15 min
Leg 13 -FILLED~THANK YOU FRAN
Carlisle PA -Tremont PA exit at rt 209 (81)
1:20- 2:45 PM
61.64 mi 1 hr 6 min

1 hour 15 min

Leg 14 -FILLED~THANK YOU MARY
Tremont PA exit at rt 209 (81)-Hazleton PA (81)
2:45-3:45PM
38.23 miles 44 mins

Leg 15 -Filled, thanks Mary!Depart: Edwardsville PA 4:25 pm

Arrive: Hallstead PA 5:40 pm

1 hour 15 min

Leg 16- Filled, thanks Mary!Depart: Halstead PA   5:50 pm
Arrive: Binghamton NY 6:10 pm
20 min
Blue tick hound Leaves Mary at this point

Leg 17 for Jack & Hennessy Filled, thanks Mary!

Depart: Binghamton NY 6:25 pm
Arrive: Jordan NY (Home sweet home) 8:05 pm

1 hour 40 min

Leg 17 for hound Filled by adopter Rita
Depart Binghamton, NY 6:25 pm
Arrive Oneonta, NY    7:25 pm
1 hour
Leg 18 for hound  Filled by Adopter Rita
Depart Oneonta, NY  7:30 pm
Arrive Scotia, NY  (Home sweet home) 8:45 pm

1 hour 15 min
end of transport!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Passenger #1:

Hennesey
Breed: Border collie mix
Color: Black & White
Age: young/adult
Weight: 40-50lb
Sex: Female
Crate: No
Leash/Collar: Yes – provided
Vaccinations: UTD

Altered: will be done by rescue/Adopter
Health Issues: None – Health Certificate accompanies passenger
Behavior Issues: None

Passenger #2:

Jack
Breed: Black Lab
Color: Black
Age: young/adult
Weight: 50-55lb
Sex: Male
Crate: No
Leash/Collar: Yes – provided
Vaccinations: UTD
Altered: Yes
Health Issues: None – Health Certificate accompanies passenger
Behavior Issues: None

*~INFO NEEDED ~*
Leg willing to drive:
First & last name:
Location:
Email:
Home:
Cell:
Vehicle description:
Tag state and number:

PLEASE CONTACT Emily at cherryharleysavinganimals @yahoo.com if you can drive one or more legs!

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

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.

These two sweet puppies are huddled in the corner of the shelter, just starved for love. They were picked up by animal control and only have until Friday to find a home or a rescue.

Usually, shelters euthanize dogs that come in with mange, which is a contagious, but highly treatable condition. It is also very inexpensive to treat. You just have to have a little time and patience, shampooing them the allotted number of times and keeping them separate from other dogs for awhile (meaning that they cannot be taken to a boarding facility).   The recovery rate is extremely high, and most dogs never have the problem again.

Fortunately, Heard County Animal Control did not choose to euthanize them, but to give them a little bit of a chance in the next few days to find a place safe.   The shelter thinks they might have a little Brittany Spaniel in them but are not entirely sure.  They are up to date with age appropriate

These sweet puppies need a rescue to speak up for them, or need an adoptive home.  A commitment needs to be made well before 4:00 P.M. on Friday, June 11th, which is tomorrow.  Please call the shelter right away.  Ask about id numbers 33509-33609.

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

Tell them that you saw these little ones on HoundsGood.com.   You won’t get any special discount for doing so, but its good for them to know what’s working to spread the word.

For the last week or so, there have been technical difficulties with photos on Petfinder.  They just have not been showing up.  This is a major problem.  It may not be so much a problem for some rescue groups, but it is for the kill shelters.  Often dogs just have three days, maybe five if they are lucky, to find a home.  Individuals and rescue groups may not look at the dog without a photo.  There are so many other dogs to save that surely they will take one from somewhere, but that specific wonderful dog might be passed up, or just not inquired about.

If you regularly contact rescues to beg for the lives of dogs and cats, please consider asking someone at the shelter to email you the photos if there is someone to do so.  This way, you can send the photos out to the groups individually.

I am having difficulty myself with looking at a whole list of dogs, and finding it hard to tell people to look at Petfinder.  The pictures show up intermittently or not at all.   If you are a volunteer or work at a shelter and have access to the photos, I encourage you to attach them.  Otherwise, some deserving dogs and cats just won’t have a chance this week at all!

These sweet dogs deserve a second chance.  Unfortunately their last day of life at Heard County Animal Control is tomorrow, Friday.  Three souls were lost last Friday, please make sure it is not a repeat performance. To contact the shelter to adopt, or to rescue, call:

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

Directions may not be 100% accurate due to new construction.  This is for general reference only.  Please call the shelter for accurate directions.

View Larger Map

This American Staffordshire terrier has a few little pups in tow.  She has been extremely sweet at the shelter.  In fact, they think she was definitely a house dog, considering her gentle nature and her manners.  If mom is sweet, puppies surely will be also when they grow up.  She and all of her babies are slated to be euthanized Friday at 4:00 P.M.  Volunteers have been campaigning for her since the weekend, to no avail. Please don’t just take the pups and leave mom behind. They are little and need their mom not just for nutrition, but for socialization.

Coonhounds are very sweet, loyal companions.  This redbone is no exception.  His id number is  31609.  Please call and reference his number.

Dog  31909 unfortunately does not have anything but an itty bitty photo.   He is an adorable young boxer guy.  Hopefully, more details to come.  Id 31909.

One of my rescue friends often said “everyone needs a beagle.” They are loyal, loving, sweet clowns. They make the perfect dog for a busy family or a single person, alike. They do have this habit of letting their nose get the best of them, and that’s why they get lost sometimes.

There are several wonderful Beagles at Heard County Animal Control in Franklin, Georgia right now. As wonderful as they are, beagles get overlooked quite frequently in rural shelters as there are so many of them. This fellow at left, was lost on purpose. The shelter staff picked many, many ticks off of him. The whole time, he wagged his tail. It appears that he was unceremoniously dumped on the side of the road, rather than wandering away. He is an older gentleman, but don’t let that fool you. Older dogs are the best!

His id number is 26009. Won’t you consider adopting or rescuing this sweet soul? He only has until Friday at 4:00 P.M.

Here’s another great beagle. Look at those cute spots! He is a bit younger than the first guy, and very friendly too. His id number is 25709.  His last day is Friday as well.

One more.  This guy is suspected to be Beagle/Pointer but no one is sure. His id is 25009

If you can provide a good home, or know of a rescue that can help, please contact Kaylene or Angela at:

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

Hurry!

UPDATE: These dogs have $50.00 in sponsorship money each. This means that if a licensed rescue takes one, a kind donor will send $50 to the vet treating them to defray the cost of their shots/neuter.

How can I help if I can’t Adopt?
1) Post this link to your favorite animal forum or send it to your friends in an email.

http://houndsgood.com/2009/05/07/everybody-needs-a-beagle/

2) Click on the “bookmark” icon below, where you can stumble, kirtsy, twitter, or post on myspace.
3) Contact your favorite rescue and offer to be a foster home.
4) If you are near the shelter, offer your services to drive!

Holy weekend is upon us.  Families get together from across the street or across the miles, and often bring their four legged family members with them.  For some dogs, cats, and rabbits, they have no family to look up at from under the table, or down at from the back of a sofa.  Holidays can be extra lethal for shelter dogs and cats because often shelter hours change or people are away and don’t adopt.

If you have been strongly thinking about adding a family member, and will be around this weekend, please strongly consider going to the shelter today to adopt.  Many shelters will euthanize not just based on being full, but anticipating adoptions over the weekend.  If they are filling up, and on top of it adoptions have been scarce, they may not keep as mant around, knowing that they will fill up quickly.

Here are a few dogs that need your help. They are both at Heard County Animal Control in Franklin, Georgia. For more information about them, contact Heard County Animal Control Center, 11818 Ga Hwy 100, Franklin, GA 30217, 706-675-3570.

This nice fellow is labelled a Corgi mix. He is just the right “not too big, not too small size” that families look for. His id number is 17709. Call now to save a life.

If you like larger dogs, here is your guy:

This young man is labelled a Plott hound/Lab cross, but no one really knows.  His family gave up on him because he likes to chase cars, and he is a good watch dog that may defend his property from other dogs.  Excuse me, but don’t some people WANT a dog that is going to behave in the manner of alerting someone to strangers?  And what’s a little car chasing if a responsible owner keeps their dog on a leash when they go for walks, and might have a privacy fence to keep him in?   Sounds simple enough to me. Maybe he is not the “right dog” for some, but he certainly doesn’t deserve to die because of it. Check with the shelter for additional information to see if he may be compatible with your home. His Id number is: 19509. As a large, black, mixed breed dog, he doesn’t stand much a chance.

No matter where you live, there are dogs and cats waiting for a good home.  Visit your local shelter, but don’t forget your county or city pound.  It may be “sad looking,” but you might just find your best friend there who is there through no fault of their own.

CoCo is a dog that is desperate for a Christmas miracle.

She was born on a hoarder’s property about two years ago.   The people had hid the litter in the house while the local authorities stepped in and forced them to relinquish some of their dogs and cats.  The only problem was that even though they had to give up their dogs, the local magistrate at the time hadn’t barred from acquiring more!  So, when Coco and her littermates Butch, Punk, and Bubbalah got past the small puppy stage and started to hit about a year to 1 1/2 in age and got older and not as roly poly, the owners got excited about new dogs they had taken in and surrendered the siblings one by one.   I have been following the story of these siblings for over 1 1/2 years, as well as their housemates.

Bubbalah was the first surrendered at about a year old went to a rescue.  Butch was at the shelter for a long time when he was surrendered at 1 1/2 years old, rescued by one group that didn’t show and then picked up by another.  Punk was reunited with her littermate, Butch, at the rescue in a very heroic multi state effort.  They are all listed as boxer mixes but I have a feeling there might be some cur and something else in there too.   All of the littermates have been friendly dogs, but just like to check you out first if you a stranger, as they have never left the property.  They need to be taught how to walk on a leash and other little things they have missed out on.

When it came time and CoCo was surrendered, the shelter was so full.  CoCo was there for awhile and then the people were told she would be euthanized right away because she was an owner surrender (strays are held for a few days to let their owner find them, but an owner surrender no one is looking for), so they came to take her back home for a little while.  She would be listed on Petfinder in case there was any interest.  Unfortunately, a dog out of the shelter doesn’t generate as much interest, but I urge you to consider helping her.  She may be out of the shelter but she is by no means safe.   She has been back at her owner’s home for months and may be living in a rusty wire cage outside in filthy conditions and may be sitting far from the house.

If you are a member of a rescue and can help this medium-ish sized girl (I believe she is around 40-45 lbs but check with the shelter), or are someone whose heart goes out to her and would like to adopt her and show her what it is like to be a family member, please contact the shelter.  The shelter will make arrangements for the owners to bring her back so she can be saved and escape that hell.   I calculate based on when the others were surrendered and the overall timeline, she would be just about 2 years old at this time.

Heard County Animal Control Center
11818 Ga Hwy 100
Franklin, GA 30217
Phone: 706-675-3570
Alternately, you can join the yahoo group volunteers have started for the animals at HCAC, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/heardcountycrittersclub. Discussion on the group does not substitute a call to the shelter, but you may find people that can help you and guide you.