They were going to be euthanized for a completely treatable condition.
“You have two hours to come get them, or we’re going to euthanize them.”
This was the shocking message that a pair of citizen rescuers received from a shelter they thought was helping them save fourteen dogs that had just been removed from a hoarding situation. The shelter had been warned that the dogs had some kind of mange, but no mention was made that they would be euthanized for such a condition. When the dogs tested positive for demodectic mange, however, the decision was made to euthanize them unless the original rescuers came immediately to take them back.
Demodectic mange is a noncontagious skin condition in which a dog’s immune system is so weakened that it cannot control the mites that naturally live in its hair follicles. It is completely treatable if a dog is given the necessary medication and provided proper nutrition. The recovery time is protracted, and severe cases often include secondary infections, but time, medicine, food, and basic care are all that is needed for recovery.
Desperate to save these animals that they had thought were finally safe, the original rescuers reached out to Wright-Way’s Executive Director begging for an emergency transport for all twelve puppies and the two momma dogs. Texts began flying at Wright-Way as we figured out when we could get a transport to them, who would be available to foster them (because our admissions center is operating at maximum capacity), and how to arrange for health certificates so they could travel from Arakansas to Illinois. Meanwhile, the rescuers and our Director begged the other shelter not to euthanize.
After arriving at Wright-Way Rescue, each pup was examined by one of our veterinarians before they could be released to foster. All of the puppies were suffering from the effects of external parasites, long term malnutrition, and varying levels of demodectic mange. One older puppy was discovered to have a broken leg and another has a leg with a severe infection from an untreated wound that appears to be caused by something like a small caliber bullet.
These sweet puppies and their mommas have come to us from Lawrence County, Arkansas where there is no animal control. The only hope for homeless pets struggling in this area is this pair of dedicated citizen rescuers who have no official funding, housing, or supplies and rely on the support of rescues like Wright-Way to get these animals to safety.
The first report of these puppies came from a driver who saw them wandering along the highway just outside the town of Black Rock. The rescuers went to the place the puppies had been spotted and began figuring out where they had come from. They came to a rural home with 19 intact dogs and puppies. The owners were overwhelmed and, while they loved having all the dogs and puppies, they were unable to take care of them.
They explained that just a year-and-a-half ago, a female dog wandered onto their property, and they took her in. Saying, “We just can’t turn a dog away.” Not realizing the importance of spaying and neutering their pets, they soon had a litter of puppies on their hands. Two of those puppies grew up to become the mommas of the current mixed litter of 12 puppies. The owners were sad to see them leave but very relieved that they would get the care they needed. Four male dogs and the female dog who they took in as a stray are all staying behind. This grandma dog is scheduled for a spay surgery, thanks to a local voucher program..
Your donation immediately impacts the lives of these 14 animals rescued from this situation by helping us provide the medical care they so desperately need. But it also does much more than that. Your donation creates long term impact in underserved communities like Black Rock, Arkansas. You make it possible for Wright-Way Rescue to continue working alongside the citizen rescuers of Rural America. Most importantly, your support lets us say “yes” to emergencies like this. Thank you for believing with us that More Is Possible!
