Do you ever wonder how animal rescue groups get the animals they put into adopted homes?
I have to give them credit. I don’t want to walk the roads they travel. I don’t want to see the suffering they witness.
A day in the life of a dedicated animal rescue worker is anything but glamorous and more than often, heartbreaking.
Paws & Prayers animal rescue in Cuyahoga Falls has dozens of puppies it has rescued from bad situations. And each rescue is just that: some caring person steps in just in the nick of time to make a big difference in an animal’s life.
This story is about Deb, a P&P foster mom who went above and beyond the call to save a dog from central Ohio that was going into labor in a cold and noisy shelter. I am not using Deb’s last name for fear people will locate her and drop unwanted pets on her doorstep. The same holds true for most of the rescue workers I write about.
Early in November, the rescue received a call from the Morrow County animal warden who believed her pound was no place for a dog called Mama Bear to be in the throes of childbirth.
Deb arrived just as MB was giving birth. She believes the dog looked at her with relief.
The foster mom was prepared to stop at a motel and rent a “birthing room” if necessary, but MB was a trooper. Five minutes into the trip, pup number eight was born. Number nine arrived after she got the dog home and tucked in for the night.
Mama Bear gave Deb kisses of gratitude and began nursing her pups when Deb snuggled up with her to make her feel more secure in her strange surroundings.
For all Deb knew, it was the first time anyone had shown the dog any kindness.
The scenario plays out repeatedly for the rescue that has rehomed a record-breaking 1,700 dogs and cats since Jan. 1.
Just last week, volunteers pulled 20 beagle/collie mixed pups from a hoarding situation in another central Ohio county. They hope to go back and rescue another 10 older dogs under a year old, said Jen D’Aurelio, executive director for P&P.
“The first group will be ready to go to foster homes this week. They are coming around fast,” she said.
In many cases, the dogs shut down out of fear and lack of human contact, D’Aurelio said. It’s important to get them assessed both physically and emotionally before they are placed up for adoption.
An adoption fee today pays for the next animal to be rescued, spayed and neutered and given basic medical attention.
But with each one, the rescue must temper the act of saving an animal with the cost of its medical needs.
“If it is just something that a warm bed and good food plus $500 [will solve], we’ll do it,” she said.
But, how do you justify spending $5,000 in medical attention on a dog or cat at the expense of saving dozens of others?
“Honestly, that’s determined through donations. Once it gets to about $1,000, I really start looking at it,” D’Aurelio said.
P&P’s Facebook page chronicles stories about the animals it has in foster care. If one needs expensive surgery to survive, the story is posted online. If people choose to help, they can donate to the cause and the surgery will be scheduled.
“People are really generous,” she said.
D’Aurelio said if there is one message she could get out to all animals owners, it would be to make them understand that spaying and neutering their pets is the only way to stop the plight of homeless animals.
“People say they just want one litter to continue the lineage, but it’s never just one puppy. It’s the other 10 in the litter that create the problems,” she said.
To see photos of the rescue’s animals, visit: www.facebook.com/PawsandPrayers on the Web or see them at rescue events held each Saturday at local pet stores listed on the site. If you would like to adopt a puppy, you can make an appointment online.
In light of the number of puppies the rescue is currently fostering, the organization is in dire need of puppy food and durable rubber puppy toys. You can drop off donations anytime at the Chapel Hill or Montrose PetSmart locations.
Other animals in the news:
Season of Suppers— Stark & Wayne counties Meal on Wheels is collecting donations of pet food for their homebound clients to provide for their pets. Collection bins are available inside the Jackson Township and Massillon PetSmarts, PBS Animal Health in Massillon and Wooster and Belloni Foods in Brewster.
Licensed Dog of the Day — Summit County is sponsoring a program to acknowledge licensed dogs by asking owners to submit a photograph of the dog to be featured on the Fiscal Office Facebook page through Jan. 31. Each day, a new dog that has a current license will appear on the site. Owners are asked to submit the photo to www.facebook.com/SummitCountyFiscal, the names, breed and a few fun facts about them.
Rescued Animals Giving Trees — Help homeless and abused animals by donating to giving trees or boxes located at: RKO, 3541 Lincoln Way E., Wooster; Pet Supplies Plus stores at 4067 Burbank Road, Wooster, 2891 E. Waterloo Road, Akron; 3100 Manchester Road, Akron, and 4965 W. Tuscarawas St., Canton; PBS Animal Health, 2780 Richville Drive, Massillon; and Rohr’s Feed Store, 2420 Manchester Road, North Lawrence.
Kathy Antoniotti writes about pets for the Akron Beacon Journal. She is unable to help locate, place or provide medical attention for an individual animal. If you have an idea or question about pets, write her at the Beacon Journal, P.O. Box 640, Akron, OH 44309-0640; call 330-996-3565; or send an email to kantoniotti@thebeaconjournal.com.