ELIZABETHTOWN, NC, July 9, 2009 – Tuesday July 7th was a special kind of moving day. A Beech Bonanza aircraft piloted by Pilots N Paws volunteer John Greco, landed at the Elizabethtown airport.Waiting with anxious anticipation were A Shelter Friend volunteers Silvia Kim, Becky Spearman, Denise Cross and Krista Hansen, plus a Boxer mix Mama with her four cute-as-a-button puppies and two elderly Cocker Spaniels. Oscar Taylor on duty at the airport is also a volunteer with the group.
If the name A Shelter Friend is not familiar to you, listen to what the group has done to make life better for a growing number of thrown-away pets in BladenCounty. A Shelter Friend, Inc.(ASF) is a not-for-profit organization whose volunteers work with the Bladen County Animal Shelter, rescue groups and the community to increase adoptions and provide hands-on support for rescue efforts.
If you have seen the flyers hanging in businesses around town showcasing smiling, friendly, dogs and cats shouting “Adopt Me!!!”you have seen the work of A Shelter Friend.
If you log onto www.Bladen.Petfinder.com to view the pets that are currently available for adoption at the shelter, you are viewing the work of A Shelter Friend.
If you meet someone at one of the local veterinarian’s with a bunch of pets being vaccinated and receiving health certificates, they are A Shelter Friend volunteers preparing those pets to move from Bladen County to rescue groups who will see that they are spayed or neutered and then adopted into safe and loving homes.
Back to the strange assembly on hand at the airport.Their elderly owner had turned the two purebred Cocker Spaniels in to the Bladen Shelter after his wife died. ASF volunteers point out that 33% of all dogs landing in animal shelters across the country are indeed purebred. Mama Mia and her four young pups were also turned in to the shelter, homeless and unwanted.Soon after their arrival at the shelter, ASF volunteers had snapped their pictures and posted them online for exposure in and beyond BladenCounty.
The black Cocker Ashley is nearly blind and depends on buddy Cinnamon to guide her. Silvia pulled both from the shelter so they could receive veterinary attention while Krista networked with rescue organizations seeking a spot for the pair in an adoption program. Becky Spearman offered to foster the two at her home while they awaited their chance.The shelter is no place for a nursing mother, so Silvia pulled Mama Mia and her pups and into foster care they went.
A few pets are adopted locally and within the state of NC each week from the Bladen Shelter, but the vast majority goes to rescue groups in the Northeastern states. These nonprofit organizations depend on ASF to tell them basic information about pets whose internet posting attracts them, like behavior toward people, other dogs and even cats.(ASF will never knowingly recommend aggressive pets.)
Diane’s Discount Pet Supplies and Adoption Center of Pottstown, PA quickly stepped up for these pets.With their age and health in mind, air transport was sought through Pilots N Paws online forum, which links rescue organizations with pilots who volunteer their time and aircraft for what Oscar at the airport deemed a “great endeavor.”
Denise Cross offered back-up care for the Cockers while Becky was away for the 4th. They received a luxury bath at Barking Lot and were outfitted in doggie kerchiefs for the journey. Both women felt this was a special pair of dogs with a unique bond. Everyone, especially pilot John, fell for the charm of Mama Mia and her roly-poly puppies.
John promised a swift and safe flight to Pennsylvania, and they were on their way to a new life.
Learn more about the activities of BladenCounty’s own A Shelter Friend online at www.AShelterFriend.org And please keep in mind that a world which shows empathy toward animals will show more compassion and tolerance toward each other.
~Krista Hansen