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Jenn Burrows moved from Michigan to Texas about 18 months ago and immediately noticed that San Antonio had more stray dogs than she had ever seen before. She didn’t know what to make of it, but she was happy when she got the chance to help a stray white pit bull mix that walked right into her house one day.
However, Burrows quickly became disillusioned about what it takes to help a stray dog in San Antonio. She had the dog scanned for a microchip and found someone she thought was the owner.
“The man denied it was his dog,” Burrows said. “But I was convinced he dumped the dog by what he said. He asked where I found the dog, so he probably wanted to know how far the dog strayed.
She posted information about the dog on Craigslist and contacted all pit bull rescues, general rescues and animal shelters in town. Rescue groups told him they were full and animal shelters said it could be weeks before they could take in a dog his size.
These groups gave him other options, including rescue groups in Austin, New York, Florida and Iowa. Nothing happened.
“I was following every lead and exhausting all options,” she said.
It took a good Samaritan a lot of time and effort to fine Casper the Pit Bull toss a house.
Courtesy picture
Burrows paid for his vaccinations and began treatment for heartworm when he tested positive for the deadly disease. But she couldn’t keep the dog, so she boarded him in a kennel while trying to find him a home.
A San Antonio agency, Charlie’s Legacy Dog Rescue, finally arrived. He raised money to help pay for part of his pension and heartworm treatment, and arranged for Casper, as they call him now, to board a transport to a relief group in Canada that had reserved a home for him.
With not enough resources and kennel space at shelters and too few rescue groups to handle the number of stray and homeless dogs in our city, it can be difficult for a good Samaritan like Burrows to step in and help. ‘to help.
“The overcrowding here, the number of wandering people who cannot find accommodation and the fact that they have to be transported out of town to find accommodation is really surprising,” she said. “I’m sure people won’t take a stray animal because there just isn’t enough help out there. It just crushes me because all of my pets since my first cat in college have been rescued pets.
It shouldn’t be that hard to help a lost pet, and I hope more people will consider fostering. We have made progress, but we still have a long way to go before our resources can keep pace with the needs of our community.
Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist, and pet expert. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to [email protected].
