Sometimes it takes a village of animal professionals to save those headed for euthanasia.
On June 8th Claudine Wilkins, attorney and founder of The Animal Protections Society and Animal Law Source, received a call that no animal advocate wants to hear. There were seven Labrador retriever mixes being held at the Metter Animal Shelter who, if not rescued, could face euthanasia due to lack of space.
"Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely
for that one dog, the world will change forever."
These seven dogs were part of an animal case in Candler County. The dogs were held for complaints of running at large and nuisance which had been going on for a few years. The dogs were awarded to the City of Metter Animal Control and Shelter.
Tom Condrey, a retired Animal Control Officer and an ambassador for the Georgia Animal Control Association, was notified by Metter Shelter caretaker Jennifer Phillips, to find a rescue for these seven dogs or they could face euthanasia.
Tom then called Claudine and relayed the desperate situation these seven pups were in and Claudine jumped into action to find a solution. Within an hour, she was able to secure a safe location for the dogs, by calling her friend Melissa Haller, Intake Supervisor at the Cherokee County Animal Shelter, who offered to take them all in, provide heartworm treatment and find them homes.
Cherokee County Animal Shelter organized transport from Metter Animal Shelter to their location with Puppy Pipeline, a non-profit transport specializing in the transportation of surplus adoptable dogs and puppies from mostly rural southern animal shelters to northern shelters and rescue groups where there is a greater demand for adoptable dogs. Thanks to Mike Dougherty, founder of Puppy Pipeline, these dogs became the Lucky Seven who now have a chance at finding a forever home.
This happy "tail" couldn't have happened without the dedication of all involved who's main goal is to save lives by working together and combining resources. So thank you to Jennifer Phillips, Metter Animal Shelter, Tom Condrey, Claudine Wilkins, Melissa Haller, Cherokee County Animal Shelter, Puppy Pipeline and Mike Dougherty.