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Central Virginia Link Coalition

Saying goodbye is never easy

I just got off the phone with my mother, who has finally decided to say goodbye to her 17 year old girl, Sasha. The poor dear has been struggling for at least a year,  anxious most of the time, and having more "accidents" in the house. Not to mention, unable to stand while eating.

Are there treatments available to help improve Sasha's life? I'm quite sure. But how do you decide how far do you go in seeking treatment? My parents have a hard enough time making ends meet, let alone affording vet bills in the thousands.

What do I think about my mom's decision? Relieved and sad at the same time. It's a tough spot to be in having to make this decision - one I hope to avoid. My 15+ year old girl is struggling and it breaks my heart. When do you say no more medication or treatments? Times like these I wish they could talk. :.(

The humane alternative: No-kill shelters - Op Ed in newspaper

Please take a look at this piece in this weeks paper – link below.  You can check out No Kill Hampton Roads at www.nokillhr.org and see the stats for local shelters (be sure and read the foot notes).  

Our Facebook page is www.facebook.com/nokillhamptonroads  I hope you will “like” and “share” it widely.

The humane alternative: No-kill shelters on Page B9 of Sunday, December 09, 2012 issue of The Virginian-Pilot

Hope Floats, We are all in the same boat!

Hope Floats came to Richmond Animal Care and Control (RAC&C) in July of 2012 as a stray. When no one came for her, she was given the name Hope Floats and soon became a shelter favorite. After passing multiple behavioral evaluations and still no adopter, Ring Dog Rescue, sponsored Hope Floats; she was spayed, heart-worm tested, vaccinated and micro-chipped.

In an attempted to find her the right home, she was promoted on Ring Dog Rescues sites and social media. No luck! In, November of 2012, renovations at RAC&C began. Hope Floats, started to degrade, with sounds, limited space and the fact that she had now been at the shelter for 5 months. It was clear to staff and volunteers that something had to be done, and after 5 months no one wanted to euthanize her.

Ring Dog Rescue contacted their partner, Heritage Humane Society. We talked about her testing, medical, and her potential. On November 20th, Hope Floats got a new chance. She was picked up by a Ring Dog Rescue volunteer and driven to Williamsburg. After being introduced to their volunteers and staff, she was set up in a large cushy run, given a meal and allowed to rest peacefully. The fantastic staff and volunteers, who were awaiting her arrival; quickly got to work, taking Hope Floats out for walks, running, and yummy snacks. On, Sunday November 25th, Hope Floats was adopted into a loving forever family.

This story is a true testament to working together. Municipal shelters having a relationship with rescue organizations, and them in turn having relationships with other organizations and humane societies, can change the life of an animal. And while, Hope Floats, may only be one dog, she like all are deserving of a chance when that chance is there. Sharing of resources and relationships can make a change, even if it is only one lucky dog.

Richmond Animal Care & Control, Ring Dog Rescue and Heritage Humane Society, all wish Hope Floats a great new life.

RDR teams up with Chesterfield County Animal Shelter

Ring Dog Rescue has teamed up with Chesterfield County Animal Shelter, to get pit bull type dogs adopted! The first 10 approved applications wishing to adopt a “Pit Bull Type” dog; Ring Dog Rescue will pay the $60 adoption fee. The adopted dogs will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated for rabies, and implanted with a microchip.

Please consider adopting a homeless Pit Bull Type dog into your family, today! There are many to pick from in all colors, shapes and sizes. This promotion is only valid for adult dogs, to approved applicants.

 

Chesterfield County Animal Shelter is located at 9300 Public Works Road Chesterfield, VA 23832. It is open to the public Monday - Friday 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturday noon - 4 p.m. Applications will be screened on site.

 

Thank you,

A. K. Taylor

Tonya Irizarry

Ring Dog Rescue, Inc.

Ban Cruel Fox Pens: Virginia’s Last Form of Animal Fighting

It’s the South’s last legal blood sport, and in Virginia, it’s under serious examination. It’s time for legislators to get serious about ridding this country of fox penning. 

In this practice, foxes, and sometimes coyotes, are trapped live in the wild with steel-jawed leghold traps and transported miles in cramped cages in the back of pickup trucks. Dealers sell foxes to pen operators for cash, and then the stressed wildlife are released into a large fenced enclosure for dogs to chase down, incessantly night and day. During fox pen competitions, hundreds of dogs may be released as judges stand around the pen scoring dog packs as they run down foxes. The lucky few will survive for a while; the sick and weak animals will immediately be ripped apart by dogs. 

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