|
|
|
|
|
To make a secured, online donation, please click the "Make a
Donation" button below.
We rely on the generous support of our community, so all
donations are appreciated.
|
|
|
|
|
In the Face of Cruelty There is Hope
By Rebecca Stevens, Executive Director
Click here to view the Survivor
Pets.
It was a Friday afternoon a couple of weeks
ago when the first two arrived. An animal control officer
walked in cradling a small, solid white Pit Bull Terrier in
his arms. She was so emaciated it took my breath away. I’ve
seen plenty of malnourished animals come through our doors,
but this was different. This was intentional. This dog had
been starved in an effort to make her mean, a common
practice used by those involved in dog fighting. The tips of
her ears were torn away, another sign that she had been used
as bait for the more aggressive dogs being trained to fight.
She, like her brother, was scarred, dirty, and starved.
As I reached down to pet her, she looked up at me lovingly
with her beautiful hazel eyes and licked my hand. I was
amazed by the capacity this animal had to love and trust a
human being with all she had endured. In her eyes, I saw
hope. In his eyes I saw the same kindness and desire for a
chance to be a part of someone’s family.
After a bath, a meal, and a lot of love from the Humane
Society staff, both Hope and Chance settled in taking the
first steps toward a happier ending.
In the next 24 hours, 4 more Pit Bulls would arrive at
the shelter in the same condition, wearing the same collars,
and all clearly part of the same illegal dog fighting
activity happening in our community.
All six dogs are doing well at the shelter, putting on
weight and have cleaned up rather nicely. We are all amazed
by how well mannered, friendly and loving these dogs are.
They have no reason to trust anyone, and yet they do. They
have been physically broken, but their spirits are far from
it. They are amazing. They are survivors.
Perhaps it was the holidays, or perhaps it was the story
each dog told, but the names we gave them were Hope, Chance,
Faith, Grace, Saint and Mercy. As I write this article, I
have to now add two more to the list. They arrived tonight
as I left for the evening, both in the same condition as the
others--scarred and scared. The six are now joined by their
siblings Courage and Glory.
What we need now is your help. We need to find homes, or
at the very least, foster homes, for these wonderful
animals. They, like all the other Pit Bulls and mixes at our
shelter, deserve a fair chance. Come see the faces of Hope,
Charity, Faith, Mercy, Courage, Saint and Grace. Come see
for yourself their resilience and tireless affection. Their
experiences have not jaded their views of human kind.
Perhaps we humans can set perceptions aside and pass
judgment based on an individual animal’s deeds, and not its
breed.
Click here to view the
Survivor Pets.
 |
UPDATE:
Hope is one of 9 pit bulls who arrived at the
shelter emaciated and abused. The canvas collar
she wore was so heavy she couldn’t hold her head up.
These photos are of Hope the day she arrived.
All would eventually find homes
after weeks of rehabilitation and medical care to
get them healthy. The 9th dog, Triumph, passed away
from cancer. The Survivor Program funded their care.
The person responsible for abusing
and abandoning the 9 dogs was later found, arrested,
and ordered to pay restitution.
|
 |
For more information on adopting or fostering a Survivor
Pet, please email
hamiltonhumane@yahoo.com , call or visit the shelter.
|
