Special pets seek holiday homes
Published 8:43 pm Monday, December 3, 2012
Maria Schiefer/Bully Advocate and Rescue Collective Hope didn’t really appear to have much hope on the day she was rescued by Suffolk Humane in June. A more recent photo of the pit bull-mix after five months of loving care show she was aptly named by the organization.
Suffolk Humane Society will take applications at a community event this weekend in an effort to find forever homes for two special pets under its care before Christmas.
“Hope” is a female pit bull-mix whom society volunteers found wandering emaciated beside the road near Driver in June. “Tiny Tim,” a three-legged kitten, has no idea he’s different from any other cat.
A special fund established to help pay for Hope’s veterinary bills — she was suffering a severe skin condition and required antibiotics and steroids — also paid for the amputation of Tim’s deformed right-front leg.
Hope before. (Matthew A. Ward/Suffolk New-Herald)
“(The fund is) a wonderful thing to come out of Hope’s suffering,” said Kay Hurley, the society’s community outreach director. “It’s helped other animals, and hopefully it will continue to.”
Applications from folks who believe they can provide a loving home for Hope or Tiny Tim will be taken at an adoption drive at Suffolk Animal Care Center, 124 Forest Glen Drive, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
For each of up to 50 pets adopted that day, Mike Duman Auto Sales will donate $50 toward the costs.
“I know how much my pets mean to me and my family, and we have adopted wonderful pets from Suffolk Animal Care Center,” dealership owner and Suffolk Humane board member Mike Duman stated in a press release.
“I hope others who are considering adopting will take advantage of this special offer, give a pet a forever home, and give themselves the gift of a loving pet.”
Usual adoption fees are $60 for cats and $75 for dogs, and Duman will refund $50 for those who bring proof of the adoption to his dealership at 2300 Godwin Blvd.
On a Facebook page administered on her behalf by a society volunteer, Just A Lot Of Hope, the pit bull-mix is described as a diva.
“We have had some (applications for Hope’s adoption), but it just has to be the right fit,” Hurley said.
Hope’s future home would ideally be free of cats, have either no other dogs or a submissive male dog, and be fenced.
“She really, really wants to be with people,” Hurley said. “She’s good with kids, but she’s a lot of dog; it has to be someone who can handle a lot of dog and someone who can be her alpha.”
As photos of Hope attest, her transformation since rescued has been dramatic. Mournful eyes, a boney frame and red-raw skin have been transformed into a loving expression, healthy weight — she has gained 15 to 20 pounds, Hurley estimates — and shining coat.
Tiny Tim was part of a litter that came to animal control, Hurley said. “The other kittens were healthy and were adopted, but Tiny Tim was born with a deformed leg,” she said. “Tiny Tim adapts pretty well and doesn’t realize he doesn’t have another leg.”
For more information on the adoption discount, call the Duman dealership in Suffolk on 1-888-239-2076 or 539-1000, or visit www.mikeduman.com.
Photos of adoptable animals currently available at Suffolk Animal Control can be viewed at www.suffolkhumanesociety.com.
Suffolk Humane can be contacted at 538-3030.
