I recently came across a story on my Facebook feed that had been posted by Panda Paws Rescue in Vancouver, Washington. It’s a moving story with a great message and one in which speaks to our mission here at Gimme Shelter Animal Rescue.
10-month-old Lilly is gorgeous and so incredibly sweet! But did you know that she was shot with a shotgun and left for dead by her owner?
Yes. He literally packed up his house, shot his dog and moved out. The neighbors called the police and took her to the vet where they found she had a microchip. The original owner was horrified to hear that the puppy she had given away on Craigslist ended up in this situation. She thought he was a good man who was going to love the dog. But she never did a home check or called his references and landlord. Instead she took everything he said at face value and she let her puppy go; to a man that ended up shooting her and not even aiming well enough to finish the job! Pretty sick!
Panda Paws Rescue took her into their home, nursed her back to health, worked on her basic obedience and then the Oregon Humane Society teamed up with LexiDog Boutique and this lucky lady was adopted within 48 hours of networking!
Every day, all over the world, terrible acts are committed against dogs. The thought of rescuing them only to have them returned into harm's way is wrong and totally unacceptable. Lilly could have been sparred the suffering all together if simple steps had been taken prior to the adoption.
The welfare of our dogs is our top priority, and the extra step of a home visit ensures that our dogs are going to a suitable home that will provide a safe and loving environment with people who will properly care for their new pet.
