Rehabilitating and re-homing the animals that come into our care is one of the most rewarding services we provide at the Pennsylvania SPCA, and nothing strengthens our resolve to continue this mission more than a happy ending. We have nursed animals on the brink of death back to health, taught those who have suffered unspeakable cruelty how to trust again, and believed in the underdogs when no one else would. Here are some of their inspiring stories:
AJ
In January 2009, PSPCA Humane Law Enforcement rescued AJ from neglect. He was sick and injured when he arrived at the shelter, and doctors had to amputate one of his hind legs. A few weeks later, he went up for adoption, with a new body and a new chance at life. He got that chance in March, when a PSPCA employee fell in love with him and took him home. He now lives with his owner and his big sister Luna in Center City. He loves coming into work to visit all of the staff who helped save him.
Annie
Annie is a 4-year-old Pit Bull who came into the Pennsylvania SPCA in April 2008. After nearly a year at the shelter, Annie was adopted in January 2009, only to be returned a few weeks later. She waited three more months, hoping for a new family to take her home. Finally, in April, Annie was an orphan no more - she went to her forever-and-ever home, where she loves sun bathing in the yard!
Bacon
At only 10 weeks old, Bacon had a sad start to life. His owner starved and neglected him, and finally doused him with hot cooking grease before abandoning him in their home. For two weeks, little Bacon had to fend for himself. He was eventually rescued by PSPCA agents and brought to the hospital for treatment. Bacon's wounds are healing and his health continues to improve every day. He was taken into a foster home earlier this week.
Brian
Despite fighting scars on his body and a sad look in his eyes, Brian was a gentle giant from the moment he came to the Pennsylvania SPCA in October 2008. With a huge scab covering his face and crudely chopped ears, Brian was never the handsomest guy on the adoption floor, but his calm demeanor and affection for people earned him a special place in everyone's hearts. Brian waited patiently at the shelter for someone to look past his outward appearance and take him home for months. His wish came true when he was taken into the care of For the Love of the Underdog Rescue in January.
Heinz
In October of 2007, Heinz was rescued from a cruelty case, and came to the Pennsylvania SPCA under protective custody. Because he was considered "evidence," Heinz could not be put up for adoption until after his abuser's case went to trial. For 16 long months, Heinz stayed at the PSPCA, waiting for his day of justice. It finally came in January 2009, when Heinz left the shelter for good and began life in a new home. His favorite thing to do these days is relax in his very own "bark-a-lounger."
Jefferson
In February 2008, a good samaritan stopped her car at the sight of an emaciated brown dog wandering the streets. When she opened the car door to go to him, he jumped right in. Jefferson spent the next twelve months at the Pennsylvania SPCA, making him one of our most long-term residents. Potential adopters came and went, and poor Jefferson always seemed to get overlooked. But as they say, every dog has his day, and nearly a year to the day after coming to the PSPCA, Jefferson finally found a forever home. He lives just a few miles from the shelter.
Lolli
Lolli came to the Pennsylvania SPCA on July 5 after Humane Law Enforcement officers found her wandering in the yard of a drug house. She was so severly emaciated at the time of her rescue doctors say she was probably just hours from death. Since coming into the PSPCA's care, Lolli has gained some much-needed weight and is well on her way to making a full recovery. After an urgent appeal was released, the community donated more than $2,500 toward her care.
Mazzy
When Mazzy came to the Pennsylvania SPCA after being seized from her neglectful owners, she was in a sad state. Underweight and almost completely bald from mange, she looked a bit more like a hairless rat than a dog. Lucky for Mazzy, a PSPCA staffer saw the beautiful girl on the inside and took her home to nurse her back to health. Now that she's made a full recovery, Mazzy is the life of the party, and loves playing with other dogs and taking walks with her big brother Fredo.
Sarge
Sarge is a 14-year-old Pit Bull who was rescued from a fighting ring, where he was chained in a basement and used for breeding. When he came to the shelter, he had likely never been outside of that basement. Sarge was adopted by a former PSPCA employee, who took him home to live with her husband and four other dogs. Sarge is now a certified therapy dog and volunteers in the community with Pals for Life.
Sonny
When Sonny was just one year old, he was picked up by animal control after being hit by a car and suffering a broken leg and other injuries. He was transferred to the Pennsylvania SPCA's veterinary clinic for medical treatment, and spent a month there recuperating from his ordeal. Pretty soon Sonny felt better and his sunny disposition returned, and it wasn't long before he was adopted. His new owners report that Sonny loves to climb into laps and give kisses, and say they can't imagine life without him.