Animal Rescue Stories

Kikue (sounds like key-koo)

Kikue ( sounds like key-coo)

Kikue was only 6 weeks old, without mother or litter mates when I spotted her among 75-100 older feral cats living down by the river. But being disabled, I could never move fast enough to grab her. All I could think about for a couple of days, I even envisioned someone with a net helping me catch her.

The next day when I drove down to check on her, there were two volunteers from, The Cat House, in Parlier, CA., trying to catch cats, with nets! But, so far, only able to catch one... I just knew which 'one' it was!

I asked if I could have her-- which of course, was music to their ears. And when I produced my own carrying cage and told them of my "vision", they were flabbergasted-- as was I.

Three months old on the photo above, she is now 11 months; clean, wormed, neutered, healthy, big and beautiful. A real home body, she loves being outside during the day, stalking, catching and torturing poor lizards to death (hum). But, at night she's all snuggles and often here, fascinated by my computer screen and a little too interesting in the keyboard! :)

Kathleen Quen
Reedley, C

Kathleen Quen
Reedley, CA

Sable helped me through cancer treatments

I started treatments for cancer in August 2005. Our 14 year old Lab had to be put down the first day of my treatments. I just had to have a companion to help me get through this time in my life. I went to petfinder and found this beautiful boxer that was forced surrender from a puppymill. Poor baby had been used for breeding purposes only and never let out of her crate. Today she is my spoiled rotten baby that sticks to me like glue and I'm now almost 4 years cancer free.

Radine Campbell
Louisville, KY

Jasper My Only Boy

After 7 years volunteering for a rescue organization my husband and I had acquired 7 female mixed-mutts that started off as fosters that we grew too attached and could not let go. We had made a promise no more, we had all the love we could handle until one after-noon I got a call from a friend that volunteers for the same rescue about a dog that the local pound had contacted her about and was a pure bred Aussie. The Aussie had been turned in because the owner could no longer care for and the pound only holds a few days before they euthanize. Something told me to go get this boy, what's one more, besides we needed a sweet boy to provide a little more diversity. He was so beautiful and loving and he gets along great with our girls we decided to keep him. We have had no regrets opening our heart and home to just one more. If every family could just save one just think how many more lives could be saved.

Donna Duncan
Gallatin, TN

Sweet Benny

I decided that I wanted another dog partly to keep my older dog company and partly to maybe make it a little easier when she passes (though I doubt anything will make that any easier.) I saw a adoption event advertised on Petfinder near where I live and decided to check it out. Benny was one of the first dogs I saw when I got to the event. He seemed about the right size and didn't seem aggressive towards cats when they tested him near the cats that were at the event (I have 2 cats.) They figure he was about 8 years old and he had been in the shelter for a month by then. I really think that his time was probably short by then and that I saved his life. After having him at home for a day I realized 2 things that they hadn't mentioned in his paperwork: 1 that he can't hear very well at all and 2 that he has no barker. Oh he trys to bark but all that comes out is air so I call him by airbarker. So all that being said the bottom line is that I got really lucky getting a dog as sweet as Benny. He is a love and gets along great with all the rest of my animal family. I will always adopt whenever I get new animals as I think you do a really good thing in saving a life.

Linda
Cosmopolis, WA

Little John

My husband saw Little John's picture on Petfinder.Com and knew immediately that was the cat he wanted. He weighed 17 pounds but we still called him Little John as our other cat is Robin Hood. They make a wonderful pair. He's the only cat I've ever owned that has a pet toy that he carries around and talks to and brings to us to throw. He is an endless delight.

Berengaria
Salt Point, NY

Belladonna & Bagheera

Belladonna was one of several Siamese dropped off at a shelter-possibly by a breeder getting rid of cats that were not "Show Quality" {sigh}. My mother loves Siamese, & when we saw Bella on Petfinder, she knew that was the cat for her!
Bagheera was born in a shelter, & had never had a home-until I saw him on Petfinder, & thought he would be a good companion for Belladonna & me-they sleep together, & chase each other around the house. It took a while for Bagheera to get used to having a home, and a "Person"-but Bella has taught him well {she is a bossy little thing!}. If I take a nap, they will both come & keep me company, and are both very vocal-especially if dinner is late!
Cheers for Petfinder-the best place for finding friends & Forever Homes!!!

S.Raven Diamant
Sparta, NJ

How I got my name Chopper

My forever family rescued me at 4 months old. I had no ears, I am a pit bull; cruel people used me as a bait pup, then they did a kitchen cropping. Boy that hurt, with my ears infected someone took me out of their yard and tied me outside the police department. My mom heard about me took me home and then I had 2 ear operations, my ma & dad love me, so they named me Chopper, I live with two dogs, five cats, two parrots, ferret, boa and we all love one another. Thanks for reading my story. - Chopper Percell

Barbara Percell
Shelton, CT

Lola's Story

We rescued our pitbull Lola from a hoarder where she had probably been all 5 years of her life. She looks just like our Lucy, who we lost to cancer last year. I didn't think I was ready for another dog until I saw the email about Lola and I knew right away that I had to have her. Now she is learning what toys are, soft furniture and grass! We are having so much fun watching her learn how to be a dog! She is such a sweetie.

Lynne Lerner
Van Nuys, CA

Daisy

This is our girl Daisy. We adopted her from our local animal shelter and she is the sweetest dog we could have ever hoped for. She was very scared and skittish when we first brought her home. It has taken awhile for her to come out of her shell but now she is a very happy and loving part of our family! We are so blessed to have her!

Stacy
Bloomington, IN

Meet Bailey

Meet Bailey. We rescued him from our local shelter 3 years ago after seeing him on Petfinder.com. He's 4 years old now, and loves his new family. Bailey enjoys hanging out with his adopted 'sister' Margo, a black lab mix, & his adopted 'brother' Sammy, a rotty-shepherd mix; both rescued from the same shelter. They all love playing in the yard, wrestling, going for walks, rollerblading, going to the beach, & bike riding. Bailey's more than happy to speak, roll over, or shake hands in order to receive some of his favorite treats, including carrots, melon, bananas, & cheese. Hoping to spend many more years of happiness & love with Bailey. He's our precious little angel!

Maryann Ossenfort
Lake Ronkonkoma, NY