Back from the Brink...

It took nearly 6 months but we have finally received some justice for an abused & abandoned dog named Buddy. Back in Jan., a concerned citizen called us that a neighbor moved out & left behind their dog outside in an Oxford pen. Our Cruelty Investigator arrived promptly & discovered the saddest sight in rainy below-freezing temperatures, an emaciated shivering Cur mix (hound dog type) standing in a bare open pen with not so much as a blanket. Though he was friendly, he was barely able to stand due to his starvation, basically, a skeleton with hide.

We promptly administered vet emergency care. Sadly, he tested positive for heartworms, which could be so easily prevented if he was ever cared for properly. His small meals were gratefully gobbled down but frequently vomited up as his stomach had not seen anything for so long. In the past 6 months, Buddy has been slowly regaining his strength & weight but continues to eat every meal as if it's his last.

We made a committment to Buddy & others just like him. We will care for them until we find them a loving safe forever home. We are able to do that thanks to donors like you. We use your donations to provide them medical care, pet food & training to become a wonderful well-adjusted family pet. You make this happen & we thank you on behalf of Buddy & the many others you help. Soon we'll show you a progress report on Buddy and what he's up to!

Little Ellen was FOUND!

Our tiny little rescued dog Ellen was found safe & sound hiding under a shed in the Red Barn Mobile Home/RV Park in Bushnell. Thanks to loving & committed volunteers who searched the park grounds day & night, someone amazingly spotted her at night!

Ellen is now slowly settling in to her new adoptive home with attention to detail on how small she is and how easily she can fit through small spaces.

FREE Pet Food for You or Us!

Help us receive Premium Holistic Pet Food for FREE!!!! If you don't need it, would you sign up & receive it on behalf of our HS/SPCA & donate it? Empty food bowls are not a pretty site...every bit helps when a shelter can hardly afford cheap food. Quality pet food like this will help suffering animals recover better & help them heal more quickly.

It's so simple: just go to www.wholeearthpetsupply.com (the great folks who let us know of this offer!), complete the form after clicking on the pet food link, then select a local retailer where you can pick up your food when the coupon is mailed to your home. Ask the retailer if they are willing to hold your bag if you wish to donate it to us & we'll pick it up gratefully! This could allow us to feed many cats & dogs so choose which you wish to donate-we need both ALWAYS! Please select either Whole Earth Pet Supply or PAWS For a Moment as the retailer as we have a good relationship with both. Many thanks!

Meet July's Volunteer of the Month!

Meet Cindy F., a longtime animal lover and supporter of our HS/SPCA. She has always been involved with animal rescue and sheltering organizations because she believes that the morality of a community will be determined by the way it treats its animals and its elderly. Cindy's house is warmed by the presence of her beloved dog Sara, a Border Collie who retired from Therapy Dog and Search & Rescue service and her three cats, one of which is blind and was raised by her wonderful dog!

Cindy feels an obligation to assist those in need, as taught by her father since childhood. He told her "if you have the ability and a situation presented itself where assistance was needed, you had a duty to provide that assistance." Cindy feels that the wonderful thing about working with animals is that "they are not critical or demanding of the help they receive. They appreciate whatever they are given without complaint and give so much back to those who care for them."

The photo of Cindy is with the young colt Champ who had become seriously ill soon after his birth from his abandoned starved mother Cinderella. Cindy often lends her expertise to our equine foster homes when needed. As you can see, with loving hands from our dedicated volunteers and supporters, Champ many other animals have a chance at happiness.

Cindy has also been the kind "Santa" providing our holiday dinner attendees each with a gift and we believe that she holds the record as our most dedicated gift wrapper at our annual Barnes & Noble fundraiser! You're great Cindy and we thank you!

Lucy's Baby Has a Name! Let Us Introduce You to...

..."Little Ricky!" It was a name we saw that many contestants submitted and was a popular choice. We suppose that when mama's name is Lucy, what else could the baby be named but Little Ricky! We must have a lot of "I Love Lucy" fans!

The winner is Ms. Lara Bennett of Ormond Beach, FL and she came to meet them on Monday. Ms. Bennett took her generosity one step further by donating back her $100 Wal-Mart Gift card prize to us helping more animals in need. She knows how costly horses can be as she has a QH and driving ponies to enjoy at home. Thank you so much Ms. Bennett!

Thank yous also go to the many kind people who entered the contest to help us raise donations to help more animals like Lucy & Little Ricky. Check our more photos on our Facebook page!

Don't forget: Lucy & Little Ricky will be available for adoption after weaning & gelding, in approx. 6-8 months, and can also be adopted together in a permanent loving home.

Dottie the Dachshund is Sumter's Sweetheart

We are pleased to present little Dottie Lynch, owned by Betty and Joe Lynch of the Villages as Sumter's Sweetheart contest WINNER! Dottie, a seven year old Dachshund, was adopted from our own HS/SPCA two years ago.

As owner Betty mentioned "we fell in love with Dottie online looking at her photo on the HS/SPCA website. We love her so much and our home would not be the same without Dottie. Dottie was five when we decided to adopt an older dog and she has made us both feel like 'kids' again with her love and our love for her."

2nd Place JB in Sumter's Sweetheart Contest

This Jail Bird is free now and enjoying her 2nd place title in Sumter's Sweetheart as her Mom's sweetheart! Diane Kupchak adopted JB from the Osceola Animal Control almost 4 years ago when JB was almost two years old. She is an amazing and loving companion and treasured by Diane.

3rd Place Muttley Perkins in Sumter's Sweetheart Contest

Muttley, a handsome Tibetan Terrier mix, was rescued by the HS/SPCA. "A visit to Sandy Bays Grooming cleaned him up and created the handsome dog that we love and adopted into our family. He truly is the protector of our home as any visitor will attest" said owner Marsha Perkins. He's a sweetheart to many of us who know him and he landed a sweetheart of a family too!