We were heartbroken to bring Shep back to the shelter after the hurricane.
When we got all of the animals moved from outdoor kennels in advance of the storm, all of them had a place to go except one. Poor Shep.
With no rescues or fosters available, he went to boarding at DogTown during the hurricane. At least he was indoors, and further away from the bad weather, but it was only a temporary solution.
They were already completely booked for Labor Day weekend, so we knew they could only hold him until the storm cleared. With heavy hearts, we had to pick him up from boarding and bring him back to the shelter afterwards. What we didn't know was that the news would get even worse.
𝘽𝙖𝙙 𝙣𝙚𝙬𝙨 𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙚.
When we brought him back to the shelter on Friday before Labor Day, we learned that Shep's 'owner' called. They said he was an 'outside dog because he tore up his kennel.' Apparently they were planning to leave him outside during the hurricane. When they called, they said they planned to reclaim him, but they wanted to wait until after the long weekend. They let him sit in the shelter for 3 more days. Who does that?! We were heartbroken. This poor, sweet boy deserves better.
As it turned out, they didn't reclaim him on Tuesday. Or Wednesday. The shelter staff gave them 2 more days... a full week after his stray hold was up. Not surprisingly, they never showed up. That was all we needed. A trusted volunteer scooped him back up and we put him in witness protection while we worked on a plan. We waited another full week before saying anything out loud, just in case.
Several people were interested, and Nancye Frank, Erin Kupcha and Susan Merrill worked on a plan for Shep. After exploring all the options, Erin picked him up from boarding, took him to the vet for a heartworm test and exam, and brought him to his new foster home.
Shep officially became a FUR baby, and he settled in with his new foster Mom Deb very quickly. Shep is a super sweet, smart, happy, wonderful dog. He didn't have a single accident in his kennel, and he's very eager to please.
We used to think that every home needs a dog. After years in rescue, we've learned that some people don't deserve a dog.
Thank you Tori, Chelsea, Swamp Haven and Dogtown USA, St. Augustine for holding him while he had nowhere to go. Thank you Nancye, Susan and Erin for networking him, and Gavin and another trusted volunteer for chauffeuring him around. And thank you Dr. Darnell and the staff of Ponte Vedra Animal Hospital for squeezing him in on short notice not once, but twice.
We're excited and relieved to announce that Shep is now adopted! He's finally living the life he deserves. No more living outside. No more waiting for someone who will never show up for him.
Congratulations, Shep. Your new life starts now!
To Foster: www.floridaurgentrescue.org/foster To Adopt: www.floridaurgentrescue.org/adopt To Donate: — Credit Card: www.floridaurgentrescue.org/donate — Venmo: @FloridaUrgentRescue — PayPal: floridaurgentrescue@gmail.com — CashApp: $FloridaUrgentRescue — Mail: Florida Urgent Rescue 7643 Gate Parkway #104-27 Jacksonville, FL 32256
𝗙𝗨𝗥 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗛𝗟𝗬 𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗠 Sick and injured animals need help fast. Every donation helps, but Monthly donors give us flexibility to respond immediately when there is an emergency. When there is a hoarding case or a hurricane, a dog with a gunshot wound or a cruelty case, we have to act quickly. We don't have time to do a fundraiser, and wait for those funds to get to us. Your monthly donation can help us save lives again and again. To learn more, please visit: https://www.floridaurgentrescue.org/donatemonthly
Florida Urgent Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and FUR earned a Four-Star Rating on Charity Navigator, the highest possible rating. FUR also received a 2023 Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency by Guidestar, and is a 2023 Top Rated Nonprofit on Great Nonprofits. Learn more about FUR at: www.floridaurgentrescue.org — at First Coast Veterinary Specialists & Emergency. #AdoptDontShop #RescuedIsMyFavoriteBreed #HappilyEverAfter #germanshepherd #HurricaneIdalia #Idalia
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