When Good Rescues Turn Bad

Although we mainly do wildlife and exotic rescue, many of our members also do domestic pet rescue on their own. We take in dogs, cats and other pet animals which need help, and sometimes get involved with an animal who presents major difficulties in finding a permanent home. As we are all limited on space and finances, every unplaced animal takes up room that could be used for the next needy pet.

After we have spent months on medical care and rehab, training, and general maintenance, it would sometimes be the most practical to label some pets "not adoptable", but, we don't do this. So, as a result, we have "stockpiled" several pets who need truly special people to take them into their hearts. When an overweight cat was abandoned in a kill shelter with both front legs shaved, we did not know until after her rescue that she was diabetic (most likely the reason she was abandoned by her owners). Simple insulin shots give her a chance at a full and healthy life, but finding someone who is willing to provide for a lifelong condition is not easy.

The purebred Bull Terrier with the badly injured leg is young and healthy, and now has three legs, but apparently she had been "baited" (a term meaning teased to attack other animals) in an attempt to make her a fighting dog. Now she is a powder-keg of energy, loves people, but cannot be trusted with any other animals. Possibly the most obedient of all the current orphans, she needs a fenced yard, lots of exercise, and an owner who will be diligent in keeping her secure from escape, as she could be a danger to other small animals in the neighborhood.

Rusty is a Chihuahua who thinks he is an attack dog. He was badly abused before coming into rescue, bonds to one and only one person, and prefers females. He needs someone to give him the time to bond and who will protect him from any further beatings.

There is a Chihuahua who urinates as a show of love, a Lab pup who was beaten and broken and is now so shy that she now needs a very patient family to bring her around, and several sweet cats who have vision issues, and just ask that you don't move the furniture around.

There is a great deal of compassion needed for anyone to go out of their way to adopt a special needs animal. There is also a great deal of reward. Not only do you find a companion who will truly love you, but who also truly needed you. For every special needs animal who goes to a loving, permanent home, there is space for another rescue.

Please look deep into your heart and see if there is a place for any of these pets. Call the Pet Line office at 631-696-5172 to be put in touch with the "foster parent" of any of these animals.

March 21, 2008

For more information about this article, please call our office: (631) 736-8207

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