Rescue Re-home Reach out
DOGGONE GOOD MEWS From the Bucks County SPCA to Our Friends and Supporters
SPRING 2017
LOST DOG STEALS HEARTS ON LONG ROAD HOME Buddy was a stray with no ID when he was picked up and brought to the Bucks County SPCA. Like all lost dogs, he was held for our stray-hold period of five days and listed on our website in hopes of finding his owner. No one came for Buddy, but staff expected the good natured pup would be adopted in no time. During his stray-hold period a woman named Nancy visited the Lahaska shelter in search of a new canine companion for her dog Jilly, also adopted from BCSPCA. She took an instant liking to Buddy and hoped to adopt him once his stray-hold was up. To her surprise and ours, Buddy’s journey to adoption would take much longer than expected. Unclaimed strays are examined by our veterinarian, vaccinated, and spayed or neutered if needed, to ready them for adoption. On Buddy’s exam day he was coughing enough that surgery was delayed. He quickly declined over several days and was then diagnosed with pneumonia. We moved Buddy to our Upper Bucks shelter where he could be isolated from the rest of the animals while receiving closely supervised treatment.
For more than two months Buddy relied on the expert care of our veterinarian and animal care staff to see him through his illness. They too were taken with the affable pit bull terrier-mix. Updates on Buddy’s condition became a regular conversation between the two shelters. Everyone was pulling for him.
Nancy, his would-be adopter, was informed of Buddy’s illness from the start, but she was undeterred. She called regularly to check on his progress and to assure us that she’d be waiting for him when he recovered.
Much to our relief, the antibiotics, fluids, and TLC did their work. By mid-October Buddy was well enough for surgery and given the all-clear for adoption. We transferred him back to Lahaska to give the staff there a chance to say goodbye. He was greeted like a long-lost friend. Lots of tail wagging, smiles, and a few tears accompanied the reunion. Caring for lost or abandoned pets is a work of the heart. Seeing them come full circle is the sweet part of the sometimesbitter work of sheltering thousands of animals year after year. Three months after she first met Buddy, Nancy signed the adoption papers and departed for home with her new companion. She reports that Buddy is off to a great start. “He is a great addition to our family. Buddy and our other dog Jilly get along so well. I think his tail is always wagging. Thank you so much!” Your support makes Buddy’s story possible. On average, $200 is invested in the care of each animal brought to us. Some, like Buddy, receive much more. Your gifts make sure we’re always ready to help those in need.
EXPANDED LOST & FOUND RESOURCES AVAILABLE ONLINE: www.bcspca.org/lost-found Losing a pet is a terrible experience. Last year we returned 295 stray animals to their owners. To help reunite owners and pets more quickly, we’ve updated our website to include photos of lost dogs, cats, and other small animals in our care. An expanded list of resources and tips is available, too. The best tip of all is to make sure your pets are microchipped and wearing tags.