Adoption

It’s been a little more than a year since Loretta W. met Jane, her new pup, at the ASPCA Adoption Center in Manhattan, but it didn’t take long for her to become a full-fledged dog lover and devoted pet parent. Loretta shared the following story with us about her time with Jane so far.

February was the one-year anniversary of the morning I saw Jane's face on Petfinder and brought her home four hours later from the ASPCA Adoption Center. I never imagined myself with a points card at a pet store, having to slap my own hand to stop me buying another dog sweater, chew toy, grooming tool or accessory—but that's me now. I didn't see myself brushing a dog's teeth, massaging her joints and muscles, kissing her head or staying vigilant about her personal hygiene either, and now it's routine.

Most importantly, just before I took Jane in to the vet for her wellness check-up in October 2012—where she got a clean bill of health—I read through the 20+ pages of her medical records from her two months at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital. I was so grateful to see the absolute VIP medical treatment Jane received as she was treated for pneumonia, anemia, mammary tumors (including one malignancy), an umbilical hernia and dental issues, plus getting spayed. It's thanks to the scrupulous care she was given at the ASPCA that I was able to end up with the best dog anyone could ever want.

She's a lot of fun, a real character, and makes me laugh all the time. My apartment building in Brooklyn is dog crazy, most of them rescues. Jane, while fundamentally independent, has many friends among the residents and dogs in the building, as well as among the people and dogs in the neighborhood and park. She's a completely established member of the community. Jane is especially wonderful with puppies and young dogs of any size—she is confident, extremely patient, tolerant and sweet. She's a real city girl.

Got a special adoption story? Share it (or Jane’s story!) on social media using the hashtag #HappyTail.

West Coast dogs are on the move! On Saturday, 68 adoptable dogs traveled from Southern California to shelters in Washington where they’ll have a better chance to find loving homes. The dogs traveled by plane, car—and even helicopter!

The dogs left Los Angeles Animal Services’ West Valley Shelter and Best Friends Pet Adoption & Spay Neuter Center on Saturday morning and headed for the Long Beach airport! They were loaded onto 22 planes flown by volunteer pilots with Pilots N Paws, sponsored in part by Subaru, and began their voyage north. In Fresno, California, the dogs boarded a second set of planes, and Pilots N Paws volunteer pilots flew them the rest of the way to Northern California. 

Check out our photo album on Facebook of this amazing trip!

After landing at the airport in Redding, the dogs were met by vans funded by the ASPCA and driven by volunteers and staff from Kitsap Humane Society in Silverdale, Wash. After receiving walks, dinner and fresh water, the dogs were driven overnight to Kitsap Humane Society and Seattle Humane Society (in Bellevue, Washington), where they will eventually be available for adoption.

About 100 more Southern California dogs are awaiting their rides tomorrow. Stay tuned to ASPCA.org for updates!

It’s not uncommon for a member of our team here at the ASPCA to fall in love with one of the animals at our Adoption Center. Luckily for a sweet senior named Hennessy, Todd Speciale, a Client Services Representative at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, did just that.

Todd and Hennessy’s bond grew over the course of the year that Hennessy spent with us, waiting to join a loving family. Todd says he visited Hennessy each day during his lunch break.

Todd eventually decided to see how well Hennessy would fit in with his family, especially with his two young boys. When Hennessy’s week-long home visit went smoothly, Todd decided to make the adoption official.

“Hennessy has adjusted extremely well to living with her new family,” Todd says. “She is such a sweet and loving dog. She is very good with my two young boys. She loves to go on walks, and most of all, she loves to give kisses. We think she greatly appreciates us for saving her, and we greatly appreciate her for being her.”

We think Hennessy is very lucky to have found such a loving home at long last.

“She is a sweetheart, and I am so glad I was able to adopt her,” adds Todd.

Did you adopt a pet from the ASPCA? Tell us about it at happytails@aspca.org.

Sometimes pets come into our lives when we least expect them to. Sharon O’Connell shared the following story about rescuing two of her four special kitties, Dymphna and Pepper, when both were in desperate need of a safe and loving home.

Dymphna's Story

On a summer Saturday three years ago, I went to drop off my recycling and garbage when a little furry kitty ran past me. I had never seen this kitty before, and the attendant said someone must have dropped her off the previous night. I tried to go up to her, but she kept running back and forth from recycling bin to bin. Frantic that I could not take her home with a busy day ahead, I vowed to come back.

That Monday after work, I put some tasty tuna fish in a cat carrier, waited for her to go in and eat, and then rushed her to the vet.  After they took blood tests, they came back to tell me she was disease-free and in much need of fattening up.  When I arrived home, I knew what I wanted to name her—Dymphna, after the princess Saint Dymphna of Ireland, because of her calmness and kindness.  To this day, Dymphna is the sweetest kitty, constantly seeking love and attention from us and the other kitties.  She is my littlest angel. She is kindest cat I have ever met in my life.

A year ago, I received a phone call from a local vet attendant pleading with me to find a home for a 14-year-old kitty—someone had dropped her off because she did not get along with their new kitten.  I immediately called a friend, and she agreed to take the senior kitty. Soon, my friend moved, and Miss Pepper became mine!  It took a few months to adjust, but she is doing fine with my three other kitties—especially Dymphna who was the first to accept her.

Pepper is now 15-years-old, and is experiencing so many new things in her later years.  She is so soft, and even hugs me and holds me tight with her paws when I hold her.  Every day we walk together in the yard, and to have been able to see her smell the grass and flowers—probably for the first time in her life—melted my heart.  She is my comfort girl, and I vow to make her final years great ones.

Did you adopt or rescue a pet? Send us your story at happytails@aspca.org.