This article is about a remarkable shelter for anyone seriously seeking or considering the adoption of a dog. It comes with my personal endorsement and sincere recommendation. I am referring to a shelter simply called “Save A Mutt Kennel.”
Save A Mutt’s mission statement tells the story in simple, heartfelt words:
“Save A Mutt Kennel obtains dogs & cats from shelters and pounds with high euthanasia rates. We will advocate for the animals in hopes of finding them a new forever home. We will provide the ground work for each pet such as spay/neuter, vaccinations, vet care and basic training.”
The shelter is a foster/home-based group of caring, concerned animal lovers in the states of Virginia and the Carolinas. Because of the diversely located foster homes, each animal requires relocation to his or her new home. For this reason, Save A Mutt includes transport fees in its modest adoption fee structure.
An adoptive family can be assured that the animal of interest has been fostered and “quarantined” for no less than two weeks or probably much more to evaluate the animal prior to releasing him to his new home. This allows the foster mom to monitor the animal on a one-on-one basis to assess adjustment, health and behaviors.
All adopted animals receive a thorough physical by the Save A Mutt’s veterinarian prior to adoption. The new adoptive family is given all health and vet records, as well as a current health certificate for the animal’s travel journey and the adopter’s records. Animals are current on all age-appropriate vaccinations and tests.
Any animal over 6 months will be altered and heart-worm tested unless he’s already up to date. All animals over 1 year will become current on heart-worm testing.
All animals are micro-chipped when we have the chips available at no extra cost. Pups under 6 months will go to their new home with access to low cost spay/neuter. The adopter will be required to have the animal altered by six months of age.
Save A Mutt exists to help needy animals regardless of their location, but most of the dogs and cats are saved from the numerous kill shelters in the South. Sadly, a number of states still use the “gas chamber” and, horribly, the “heart stick” methods of killing. On the Save A Mutt Kennel website, you can actually watch a video that explains the primitive gas chamber. Nothing about these killing methods is humane in the author’s opinion.
Says Save A Mutt:
The sad fact is that many people are clueless that so many animals lose their life this way. Our southern kill shelters have astronomical euthanasia rates. For example the kill shelter in Surry County NC where I grew up they took in 4,090 dogs and cats in 2010 and only 186 of those animals were adopted out.
You can see these numbers for yourself. 2011 Public Animal Shelter Report. For what it is worth, Surry County is rather small compared to the other shelters who take in larger numbers.
The rescue secures good homes for each animal that is adopted. Would-be adopters are checked out, and references are followed up. Save A Mutt does its very best to place animals into loving homes. To make it the best experience for animal AND adopter, the shelter arranges all transport to the new home for each animal placed AND absorbs the fees.
Save A Mutt is not a non profit 501(C), but just a rescue business that is funded out of our own pockets. We are geared toward helping the neediest animals. We have huge costs involved in operating our rescue efforts.
Author’s specific recommendation: When I point you to Save A Mutt Kennel, I am using my own experience and the adoption of Ozzie as a reference point. I just adopted my pomeranian from Save A Mutt. Ozzie was transported a couple of weeks ago. I had numerous contacts back and forth with both the shelter and the transporter and I really got to know them and their dedication.
I must say to my readers, Save A Mutt Kennel is a superb rescue. Not only do I have the most remarkable pet, but I had pictures and knowledge of his actions and behaviors before he arrived. My queries were always answered and I thoroughly enjoyed conversing with my dog’s foster mom. It was immediately apparent to me that her utmost concern was for the dog and finding him the best possible home. I am thrilled that he came to live with my family. He has adjusted so well in just one short week, far sooner than I would ever have expected. Truthfully, I believe it is due to all the nurturing from his Save A Mutt foster mom [please see my story: My new adorable pomeranian, Ozzie] before he came to live with me.
I wholeheartedly recommend for you check out Save A Mutt Kennel. Included with this article are just a few of the available animals that need good homes.
Get your new pet from Save A Mutt. You will be more than pleased with the experience and the pet.
Save the life of a deserving pet.
As a follow up, I plan to expand on the subject of shelters in the South – where some kill more dogs and cats than are ever adopted out.
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