07/09/2017
On Monday, Sept. 4th, Two vans from Fur Fun Animal Rescue left Lisbon, IW, heading for Texas. Their mission: to bring back dogs from a Texas shelter...as many as they could fit. Upon departure, they had 29 dogs!! These were dogs that were in the shelter before the hurricane, and their stray-hold time was up. By taking these babies, space would be available for hurricane rescues!!
Some of the "passengers" had spent 2 years in that shelter!! Only by the grace of God had they managed to escape being euthanized!! Also there were 7 nine- month old puppies that had known only the shelter, having been born there. This trip was their first time out into "the world"! Sure it was quite a shock to them! A couple of babies were feral...never trusting humans! They will require a lot of time to learn that people can be quite nice!!!
When transporting animals across state lines, one must have a health certificate from a vet for each and every animal! To get these dogs to the point of being approved for health certificates, it cost Fur Fun over $2,200.00 for examinations, medicines, and health care certificates!! It took an entire day and a dedicated vet to get this done!
With med's and health certificates in hand, and the babies all loaded for their great adventure, home was only about 18 hours away. So the next step was to find a place to overnight the dogs. AGC was contacted about boarding facilities in Joplin. After much discussion and a couple of phone calls, AGC had a private citizen willing to open up their acreage to this group.
The vans and all their excited passengers arrived Wednesday evening and we were set up and waiting to receive them. First came the walking of the "crew", followed by the watering and the feeding. There were carriers to be cleaned as some had gotten sick and some had to go to the bathroom. The ladies then proceeded to microchip each dog, clip their toenails, clean ears and medicate for ear mites in those needing it.
Then it was time for a final walk of the dogs before bed time.
That day had began at sun up for these ladies and it was 10:00 that night when it ended. AGC provided motel rooms for the rescuers that night. They were back by 6:00 a.m. the next morning to walk the "kids", feed and water and to get them loaded up for the final leg home.
29 dogs' lives changed for the better this week!!! You might say they hit the lottery big time!!! AGC so appreciates these folks and the passion they have for what they do. We are very grateful Fur Fun reached out to us and allowed us the opportunity to help!! By emptying the shelters, the homeless and displaced animals of Hurricane Harvey will have a place to be safe until reunited with their families!!!
