It was with a very heavy heart that I and several Ugly Mutts Associates returned from a visit to our sponsored shelter. With the shelter at capacity with 400 cats and 200 dogs filling every cage, it was sad news to hear the shelter is being forced to euthanize friendly, healthy animals. As we walked down the rows of cages the sad and longing faces looked back at us and although there was still that shred of hope in their eyes, we knew that without help many of these beautiful babies would not make it out of the shelter.
Black dogs and hounds as we all know are the hardest to find homes for and for many puppies the only forever home they will know is the shelter. While we walked the rows of cages you could see dogs like Sammie, a beautiful, young, black Labrador mix and Molly, with her elegant and gentle ways, just longing for someone to take them home. Knowing that these animals were here because of irresponsible people, and knowing that with just having spayed or neutered a pet, so many of these lives would not be in jeopardy today, it was hard for us to hold back the tears.
While it cost $300.00 per animal for a two week stay at the shelter, it cost only $2.00 to euthanize the pets. That is a sad reality that in today’s worsening economy with donations at their lowest, spells death for many of these beautiful animals.
Ugly Mutts does not have a shelter but with the help of caring individuals who open their homes and their hearts to a rescued dog, we have been able to save approximately 200 of these shelter dogs every year. Until recently we also relied on the use of a private kennel that allowed us to keep dogs in a safe environment until a foster spot became available. With the kennel now going out of business, Ugly Mutts is once again making a plea to the public to help us save these dogs. We are in dire need of families that are willing to take in a larger breed dog such as Sammie. If you think you might be able to help, and are willing to provide temporary shelter for a deserving dog, please check out the foster information under the “Get Involved” tab on our website and send in your foster family application today.
Karlene
Rescue Coordinator
Ugly Mutts Dog Rescue
“Saving one dog might not change the world but it can sure change the world for that one dog.”
