April 18, 2016
Spring is in full bloom, and for many animals, the warmer weather brings more than just the shedding of winter coats. Many will have litters of puppies and kittens who will inevitably end up in already overburdened animal shelters or even struggling for survival on the dangerous streets. In March, PETA’s dedicated team of animal-care professionals helped more than 1271 animals by performing free and low-cost sterilization surgeries on dogs and cats from indigent households.
For both Sophie and Binky, the warmer weather won’t bring any puppies. These two sweet dogs got a free ride to and from their free spay appointments. Their guardians knew who to call for help since each had previously had two cats sterilized at PETA’s clinics. Loving but cash-strapped families like these depend on PETA’s local program to provide a helping hand when no one else will.
Our round-the-clock team also responded to dozens of calls about animals like those below.
When PETA workers came across Kane, all he had for “shelter” was a filthy plastic doghouse that would tip over, barely providing him with any protection from the elements. Kane was tethered in an area littered with sticks and junk, and he had only a small, rusted tin for water. PETA fieldworkers cleaned up the area and provided food and a custom-built, straw-filled doghouse. They also replaced Kane’s pitiful water dish with a sturdy bucket filled with fresh water, gave him some much-needed attention and affection, and left with a promise to check back on him soon.
Biggie was tethered to a tree in a barren, isolated area. The plastic house that was supposed to serve as his shelter had several cracks that allowed cold wind and rain to penetrate it. PETA gave Biggie a brand-new doghouse stuffed with straw bedding to help him stay dry and comfortable. Thanks to supporters like you, he was one of 10 dogs who received a free, custom-built doghouse in the second week of March alone.
While delivering straw to “backyard dogs” one Sunday, two PETA volunteers came across a horrific sight: a young dead dog inside a plastic barrel. The dog, whose name was Night Train, had been chained up and left outside in the elements. A necropsy confirmed that he had starved to death—the only contents of his stomach were a partial glove, a piece of plastic, and some red fabric. PETA’s fieldworkers are working with local officials here to secure cruelty charges. PETA’s hardworking straw-delivery volunteers often find “new cases”—dogs we didn’t know about previously. Our intervention has prevented many dogs from enduring a terrible fate like Night Train’s, and our fieldworkers will press hard to secure punishment of his abuser in order to send a strong message that such cruelty will not be tolerated.
Responding to a call from Baby’s worried owner, our fieldworkers found the neglected pup to be a bag of bones chained to a cinder block. Baby’s owner first said that she had recently acquired the puppy and “could not get any weight on her” but eventually admitted that she had been unable to afford food for a few days. After our team counseled her on proper care, the owner surrendered Baby to PETA. Upon examination, the hungry pup was found to have a severe hookworm infestation, which accounts in part for why she was so underweight. This sweet dog is now in a foster home, growing healthier and receiving some much-needed TLC.
Sebastian, the miniature horse PETA rescued from a muddy pen littered with broken boards and his own waste, is on the mend. He spent the last few weeks receiving treatment for partial paralysis that affects his face and a hind leg, which needs continued care. Thanks to a longtime PETA supporter, Sebastian will be joining other rescued animals where he can show off his captivating personality, receive proper care, and never face abuse or inhumane confinement again.
Your compassion and generosity and that of other PETA supporters are what allow our team to help hundreds of animals like Sebastian, Kane, and Sophie each month. Thank you!