I just got an email from a friend from one of the organizations (non-dog related) that I volunteer with and am looking for recommendations for who I might be able to refer her to. I know many of you on here have experience with rescues or vets who might be willing to assist.

My first response to her is that the dog should at least be seen by a vet to find out if she is in fact preggers and due soon. I can't imagine the photo is fool-proof, but it could be.

Quote :

"While I was at the Womens Breakfast at church yesterday there was an abandoned dog who showed up and she captured a lot of people's hearts. It was an all day project for several people trying to get her to trust coming to anyone, and at the end of the day I took her home to keep her until I can find her a home. I emailed several rescue places last night and based on her photo a couple have told me that she looks pregnant and due soon! Yikes, not news or expenses I was expecting! If this is the case, I doubt I'll be able to find her a home right away and I can't turn her out or take her to the SPCA where she might be put down. Does anyone know of a vet that might be willing to donate their time to help me out with her until a home is found?"

I will be glad to give her email via PM if anyone wants to contact her to offer any help or advice.

Thanks in advance!

1/25/2009 11:40:00 PM

Make some fliers and post them in the neighborhood, the grocery store, gas station, phone poles, etc. Post her on craigslist! She could be someones pet who just lost her way, and she could very well have a great home that she misses dearly. And since no one at the church were her owners, she wouldn't come to anyone else. At least try to find her rightful owners FIRST!

And only going by her swollen teats, she could have already had puppies and is still nursing them. (I can't see her belly to get a better assumption if she's pregnant.) All the more reason to find her owner! She don't look like a puppy, so unless she was a throw-out, then she may have a home already.

1/26/2009 12:32:23 AM

Yeah the N&O lets you do free found pet ads (or at least they used to).

And the SPCA doesn't put animals down fyi.

1/26/2009 12:40:37 AM

^ True, and the SPCA is VERY picky, sometimes.

Also, have her checked for a microchip.

[Edited on January 26, 2009 at 12:43 AM. Reason : ]

1/26/2009 12:43:15 AM

aww, poor thing. She looks scared

1/26/2009 12:57:41 AM

Most vets will do a free microchip scan. They'll also typically give you a really good rate on a checkup if you explain your situation.

1/26/2009 9:36:58 AM

She definitely looks pregnant: huge tummy, swollen nipples. Take her to a vet asap. Preferably one that knows you and is stray friendly. She looks relatively clean from that shot (no overgrown nails, etc), but no one in their right mind would purposely breed a little mutt like that, so if she had owners their probably somewhat neglectful anyway.

1/26/2009 10:54:23 AM

the SPCA does put animals down

there is an intake facility (in garner) where all animals are processed. Only those that are adoptable are sent to the adoption facility, and only if there is space. The SPCA euthanizes a good % of the animals it takes in.


Please take the found dog to a vet/shelter to see if she had a microchip and call animal control to see if anyone has reported a missing dog.

1/26/2009 12:13:13 PM

^ thanks for the helpful advice!

I'm pretty sure that the girls who found her thought to make check for owners and the like. Like I said, I'm just looking for recommendations for rescues or vets who might be willing to assist - specifically, a vet who is stray-friendly and could at least tell us if she's full of puppies.

1/26/2009 6:26:32 PM

^^ Incorrect. If the animal is very sick they'll put it down. If the animal is healthy they will not. I think you're confusing the SPCA with the Wake County Animal Shelter.

^ Any vet is "stray friendly" as long as you pay the bill.

[Edited on January 26, 2009 at 7:59 PM. Reason : .]

1/26/2009 7:58:21 PM

And really, if she's a decent bit along a good vet will be able to palpate her and feel (hopefully) at least one skeleton. So you'll probably just have to pay an exam fee and maybe take home some dewormer for her. At worst, he might want to do a radiograph...but really it sounds like all you want to know is, yes she is or no she's not. I'd decline the rads, if asked.

You could be in and out for under $40 I bet!

And I hate to have to say this, but I don't know if many people are aware...if it's a matter of having to take on 5 or 6 more mouths in addition to a hungry momma, getting her spayed now is always a viable and safe (at least for her) option.

[Edited on January 26, 2009 at 9:16 PM. Reason : .]

1/26/2009 9:14:55 PM

^^ what's your source?
I've known many people who have worked for/volunteered at all three facilities. The SPCA (intake and adoption center) and the Wake County Shelter. I've worked with many rescue groups in the area. I've toured all three facilities with staff members.

It would be impossible for these shelters to house and adopt out all healthy and adoptable pets. The shelters simply do not have the resources/space to do so.

Quote :

"SPCA Pet Adoption Program In order to be eligible for the SPCA's Adoption Program, an animal must be: 1- In reasonably good health 2- Of sound temperament This also means the animal must possess a high level of adaptability to different situations (for example, a dog that is friendly and comfortable in familiar surroundings can become aggressive and/or defensive in the unfamiliar location.) Coming to a shelter any shelter will be traumatic for your pet. 3- The third criteria is there must be a slot available in the SPCA’s Adoption Program at the SPCA Curtis Dail Pet Adoption Center. The SPCA will NOT take a pet’s life that we have already accepted into the program to make room for additional animals, and the program has a finite amount of space. For these reasons the SPCA will not guarantee that your pet will be accepted into the Adoption Program. This is why you will be informed by a staff member that we will not guarantee adoption."

Meaning the SPCA and Wake County Animal Shelter both take animals in. They operate differently though.
SPCA: Dogs must 1) meet the adoption criteria at the intake facility in order to be sent over to the Curtis Dail pet adoption facility and 2) there must be space for them to go to the adoption facility. Once the animal is sent to the Curtis Dail adoption center they will not be euthanized (unless it becomes very ill or aggressive).
However, plenty of adoptable animals are euthanized at the SPCA intake facility (that the public does not see or have the option to adopt).

http://www.spcawake.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Lost_Found_intakepolicy

[Edited on January 26, 2009 at 9:56 PM. Reason : hope the dog finds a home]

1/26/2009 9:56:17 PM

Totally agree on the spay/neuter. I think one of the first things for the caregivers to determine is whether or not she's pregnant. That alone could impact so many future decisions. (1 dog vs. 1 dog + 5 puppies.)

1/27/2009 1:25:01 AM

^^ I used to work at the SPCA many years ago. If #3 was an issue and someone brought in an animal, we would tell the people upfront there wasn't space and recommend they try taking the animal to another private shelter. I suppose their policy could have changed in informing people, but I seriously doubt it.

1/27/2009 1:30:22 AM

individuals surrendering an animal to the SPCA are told that there is no guarantee that the animal will be adopted. It's in the contract they sign upon surrender. It's the same with all shelters (unless the shelter is a true "no-kill" shelter and then they have to turn away animals when they're out of space).
The US is faced with a huge pet overpopulation problem (epidemic) = millions of unwanted dogs and cats are euthanized every year. This poor dog is an example of the problem.


(sorry for hijacking your thread... but the info is relevant if the dog is surrendered to a shelter)

1/27/2009 6:04:42 AM

^ yep you're right. See above for where they do more than that.

1/27/2009 7:24:46 AM

^^ no problem at all - thanks for providing best info available.

Also, thought I would offer an update:
-General vet visit couldn't determine if she recently had puppies or is currently pregnant. Will require a more detailed follow-up.
-Found dog notices were posted in the local area, on craigslist, through shelters/rescues, and with the SPCA
-No one has contacted them so.... this was the most recent email update I received:

Quote :

"The plan is that if I don't hear from someone in a week to claim the Hope Dog we will go ahead and get her spayed so that she will be more attractive for someone to adopt her. I called the SPCA - they charge $45 to spay an animal in their new clinic but because they have gotten such an overwhelming response they are booked up for the next 3 or 4 months out. As sweet as she is I would like to find her a home before then! The other option is the SPCA has is that they will sell a voucher to the public for $76 to have her spayed at a participating veternarian. Laurie Ann's vet is on the list."

The folks who found her don't qualify (make over $50k), so I'm getting the voucher for them. Another gracious person is splitting the spay fee with me, but if anyone else wants to chip in $5 to help contribute to the nice folks who've helped take care of her for her food, visits, treatment, etc. - that would be fabulous Feel free to just send me a PM or email at mailto:ncsulilwolf@gmail.com

1/29/2009 10:32:36 AM

thanks for the update
She's lucky to have found such a great group of people

1/29/2009 10:49:39 AM

Email sent. I'd like to help if I can.

1/29/2009 11:00:40 AM

^ and ^^ thanks!! She is a very lucky pup

1/29/2009 1:18:18 PM

Here's a follow up on the pup herself in case anyone is thinking of adopting or know anyone who might be looking:

Quote :

"Hope is so good. My grandson came over last night - he's 2 - and I was curious how she would be with him - she was great! She sat calmly and patiently while he petted her and while he sat beside her and buckled and unbuckled her collar - he loves clicking and unclicking things - and we took her for a walk around my house while he held the leash - she was very good. She is good with other dogs too - at least thru the fence - all our neighbors have dogs so when we are out in the yard they all play with each other thru the fence - that is when I see her playful side. She isn't aggressive toward any of the dogs - she just wants to play. She is definitely one of those dogs that chooses a person to belong to. When I am home she doesn't want to leave my side - she follows me from room to room and the minute I sit down she jumps up beside me on the couch and snuggles up or puts her head in my lap. Usually I'm the last one to leave in the morning and I put her in her crate - this morning I left first and Dirk said she clawed at the doors and at the window blinds trying to follow me. She lets Dirk pet her and snuggle her but she doesn't go with him if he calls her and if he is petting her she is looking over her shoulder for me the whole time. It kind of worries me that it might be one more traumatic event for her to be put into another home when the time comes. The other day when my son came to the house she hid under the desk. When my daughter-in-law came over she didn't hide. I'm not sure if she had a bad experience with a male. She is so tenderhearted and sensitive that it breaks my heart sometimes. There are times when I speak to her or reach for her that she will percieve it in a negative way and she cringes and flattens into a submissive pose and then crawls to me and puts her head in my lap for affection. I wish I knew what her past history is. I will need to be very, very careful as to the home I find for her - it will have to be just the right situation. I really have found no negatives about her - she is housebroken, good with kids and other animals, loving and affectionate, she doesn't shed, she's good about being in a crate, she travels well in a car, she walks nicely on a leash, she is not a barker - I have not heard her bark yet, and she is protective in a way that is not aggressive - when a stranger comes to the house she will give me a warning growl but she doesn't advance toward them aggressively, and once I greet them she is fine. She's a great dog. It's hard for me to believe that someone would abandon her. I wonder if she just got lost but I haven't had any response to any of the ads I've posted."

2/2/2009 1:28:13 AM

Update on the pup please? Does she have a home yet? If not, I will contact the lady and set up a time to drop off some vittles for the little girl.

2/6/2009 4:26:03 PM

Just so you know, you don't have to take her to the SPCA to get spayed, and it certainly don't HAVE to be the county you live in. For example, there is a Humane Society vet in Greensboro that don't require any financial information, its just low cost for everyone. We took my neighbor's husky just yesterday and if she's under 60 lbs, its $65. There are low cost spay/neuter clinics everywhere! You just gotta find them!

Here in Greensboro, the SPCA stopped their spay/neuter sometime in the past 2 years and now they only do feral cats.

2/12/2009 10:30:16 PM

its kinda fucked cause i almost ran over that dog near sunday drive by the rbc center - i would have stopped and grabbed her but i was late for a meeting already - job>stray dog

2/12/2009 11:45:10 PM

Hi all! Her caretaker and I have gotten some kind donations from folks willing to help which cover the cost of the spay/neuter certificate and is being done by a vet who came personally recommended by other pet owners.

The only thing is that Eddi - the person who has kindly taken the pup in - has her home on the market and its been shown so she needs to find a home for "Hope" soon. If anyone knows anyone, just shout!

Also - totally unrelated since Hope is an adult dog, but if anyone has a puppy who'd like a free (opened) giant bag of food, I have a donation for you! My sister's friend had to give up her puppy to a better suited family and they already had tons of food. The friend who I thought could use it has already switched to adult food for his four-legged child. Email me if you'd like it - free, just come it! NCSULilWolf@gmail.com

PS - Feel free to pass that last part along. I'd donate it to a shelter, etc. if I thought they'd take open bags!

2/13/2009 12:39:39 AM