URGENT NEED: Support Medical Care For Pets Hurt in Helene 

Animal Rescue Stories

Read heartfelt stories of rescue, and share your rescued animal stories with others.

Zoey with her baby

Zoey with her baby

When the last of my cats died in Sept. 2008, I thought I would wait for awhile before getting another. I made it to the evening, then through my crying, my friend said "be ready at 9:00 in the morning, you are getting a cat".
I went to the Granite City APA and the first cat I held was Daylynn. She was a bit chubby and sweet, and I fell in love. Just to be sure, I tried several other adults and then a kitten. When Daylynn was placed in my arms again, I knew she was coming to her forever home.
I changed her name to Zoey, and the friend who took me to get her bought her a catnip filled duck baby. You can see how much she loved it (it doesn't look that good anymore). Imagine my surprise to find she plays with toys - in 40 years of cats, I have never had one that did. Now Zoey has her own toy box of toys - mice, foam balls, and a lamb baby too! She loves when I pick them all up, then it's her turn to get them all out!
She is really something, she saved me as much as I saved her from living in the shelter.
I can't imagine buying an animal, when there are so many wonderful ones looking for "forever homes".

Karen Boyett
Granite City, IL
Trash to Treasure

Trash to Treasure

One day while attending a major university for my PhD, I went to the dumpster to take out the trash. When I heard a kitten crying and couldn't get it to come out - well... I went dumpster diving. That's when I discovered someone had closed them in a box and thrown these beautiful girls in the trash... One of them appeared dead already from freezing cold. I took them in (even though that wasn't kosher in university housing) and warmed them up. I waited until morning to see if the near-dead kitty would revive. She lived but a high fever threatened her life. The emergency vet said "Wow! Her eyes are so big, it takes her two minutes to blink!" $350 later, peering into two sets of big eyes, I decided Maggie and Emmie were mine - or better yet, my heart belonged to them. What a treasure they have been for over 7 years - and- I couldn't have written my dissertation without them!

Jo McClendon
Pt. Richmond, CA
Here goes Bentley, in His New Wheels!

Here goes Bentley, in His New Wheels!

Bentley is on the mend.

Two months after surgery to remove the bullet from his back, the spry little dog gets around just fine, with the specially fitted cart that does the work for his paralyzed back legs.

"He's just done great," said Gail Boggs, who adopted the year-old beagle after her daughter found him hobbling along Crows Landing Rd.
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Bentley uses a cart to accommodate his paralyzed back legs after being shot.
Bentley's story captured faraway attention. An appeal for help to pay for the dog's treatment brought in donations from places as unexpected as Ala., and Portugal. The best donation came from an anonymous dog lover who donated the tab for Bentley's bullet-removal surgery at the University of California at Davis.

Boggs, collected money for Bentley,"I don't even know how much the surgery cost, because I never saw a bill, it could have been up to $10,000."

Bentley's care fund is still necessary, because he'll need specialized care for the rest of his life.

If a recent afternoon at a Modesto park is any indication, that could be a long time. Bentley tooled about with his cart, enjoying the attention he attracted and chasing birds with about the same success as any other dog.

He gets around the house easily without the cart, socks covering his back paws and legs to keep them from wear and tear.

Some people wondered whether it was prudent to try to save a dog so seriously wounded. Bentley provides his own answer. "Look at him, "It's obvious he has a good quality of life."

"His story means so much to so many, especially these days. It gives many people a reason to feel hopeful."



Donations may be sent to the Bentley Fund, Bank of the West, 945 Fresno St., Newman, 95360.

GAIL F. BOGGS
CROWS LANDING, CA
suzy the three legged cat

suzy the three legged cat

suzy was found as a kitten at a gas station,her pelvis was broken in 3 places,and her leg was broken in an unusual angle.she was taken to the shelter where my mother worked,the leg needed to be amputated, and there was no money. I took up donations in Denver to get her surgery, she came through with flying colors. She now lives like a happy little princess in Denver Co.

denise rouse
denver, CO
A Shelter Dog No More

A Shelter Dog No More

The first time I saw Penelope, I had stopped at the shelter for no particular reason. She came to me, shaking all over. I told her not to be afraid because puppies always get adopted. I went back a few days later, and she was still there. My son knew I had to have this dog, so he brought her home to me. I remind her regularly what I told her the first time I saw her: Puppies always get adopted. She had lived her entire life (4 mos., 7 days) in a small pen. Now she has a big back yard to play in and a big bed to sleep in. Nell is the sweetest Staffordshire Terrier in the world!

Rebecca Haley
Paoli, IN
I went for a cat

I went for a cat

My two girls and I went to the North Shore Animal Shelter to find a kitten or a cat for my other cat for company. They didn't have any.....the nice volunteer asked me if I wanted a puppy. She brought in two cute little puppies; a boy and a girl. Someone just adopted the sister and he was left alone. I said Thanks but no thanks....I didn't want a dog. We kept looking and the "volunteer" came over to me and said "Can you hold him a minute, I have to clean the cage?" So she put this cute pup in my arms who just cuddled like a baby . I asked why was he so quiet? She said he had a cold.....Quiet my eye!! He has never shut up since that day almost 14 years ago (needless to say the local police have been at my house several times because he was so "quiet") and he is going strong. My pal; my boy; my son.....He's grown up with both of my girls and of course with me.

Jo Ann De Poalo
New Milford, NJ
BRUNO THE BOXER

BRUNO THE BOXER

It was the last thing I ever wanted was another dog; especially an UGLY BOXER. My mom was dying but I did go to the rescue for husband's birthday and he chose Bruno. I hated him the minute I saw him...We had to pick him up in Connecticut on a cold October Saturday. He was thin, looked abused and barked at me the minute he saw me and worse off; he has enough gas to fill my car and then some (and it stunk real bad). After my mom died it was Bruno who made me laugh; it was Bruno who made me fall in love with him...This pic was taken the day he had a seizure and we had to put him down 2 days before Christmas.............I was devastated. My heart is still broken............I miss him so much....My friend will be in my heart forever

Jo Ann De Poalo
New Milford, NJ
HALLOWEEN BLACK CAT

HALLOWEEN BLACK CAT

Meet Lightning. My daughter and I were standing waiting for the school bus when a lady drove up to me; she got out of her car and screamed....it's on my wheel.......so my daughter crawled under the car and pulled out this "thing" that looked no more than a few weeks old....Halloween week.... A black cat.....It's 9 years later and there he is..........big, fat and a mush....We love him...

Jo Ann De Poalo
New Milford, NJ
Our Wall Kitten

Our Wall Kitten

A feral cat gave birth in my parents attic. When one kitten fell into the wall, we helped cut a whole to get him out. He looked only two weeks old! We bottle-fed him and now Malachi is part of our family.

Nikki Benson
Queen Creek, AZ
Our Baby

Our Baby

Our Scooby-Doo had a tough start to life. His mother(our dog Shudo) gave birth to six puppies in our basement, and two days later, she attacked and killed three of them. We couldn't give the puppies away, so we began bottle feeding them. Scooby became very close to my father, and seems to think he's his mother. We're so glad we became his adoptive parents! We couldn't have asked for a better addition to the family!!!

Stephanie
West Warwick, RI