On September 8, 2009, our beautiful black lab mix, Katie, died at the age of 14. She was the last of a quartet of beautiful labs that graced our home and kept us hopping. Brokenhearted, we gathered the worldly possessions of our babies and took them to the Newport Animal Shelter to comfort the animals there. I approached the shelter with a great sense of dread, fearing the sad scenes I would fine there.

As we stood outside, cars began rolling in in droves, filled with cages of dogs and beautiful puppies.  I took this as confirmation that sad things took place here – witness these sweet animals being surrendered to almost certain death.  To my amazement, Kelly, one of the shelter angels, told me, “Oh, those are just animals who have been fostered and are coming in for their health certificates before going out on rolling rescue”.  These animals are loaded up in cages and placed in vans in the late afternoon.  Volunteers drive through the night to deliver their little changes to no-kill shelters all up and down the east coast where there is a need for certain types of animals.

Runs typically carry as many as 50 dogs and puppies.  Last year some 1,653 lives were saved in this manner.  Under the direction of Dr. Carolhood, Newport Animal Shelter has gone from a nearly 85% euthanize rate to a nearly 85% save rate.  I have never seen such caring people.

While we were there, my husband, Don, said to Kelly that if they ever took in a Boston Terrier to let us know.  One week later we received a call that changed our lives once again.  A Boston Terrier named Rocky had been brought in because his family was losing their home.  The next day we met a precious, impish little ball of black and white who loved to lick faces.  We fell in love.

As soon as he was properly neutered and given his shots, we brought him home.  We can’t imagine life with out him.  He goes on most family outings, curled up in his fuzzy little bed in the back.  He sleeps between us at night and is the center of our attention.

We heard later that faith, his house mate, had been sent to Connecticut and adopted there.  Two weeks ago, Dr. Hood spearheaded a low-cost, no-cost spay and neuter clinic for low income people.  It was held in the local armory and 241 animals were altered that weekend.

The number of unwanted puppies and kittens prevented is really impressive.  This is not the first spay and neuter clinic (know as “The Big Fix”) to be held by the shelter and more are planned.  A ferrel cat program is in the works.

The people responsible for this shelter’s outstanding record have overcome amazing odds, not the least of which the resistance from local politicians.  Local businesses and organizations, on the other hand, have been wonderful.  We can only hope that other areas will be as successful as the Newport Animal Shelter.

-Karen

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