There are just some of our favorite SAAP Success Stories as submitted by fosters, supporters, adopters. Visit often for more very SAAPy success stories.
Harvest
Harvest was found on a rural road and taken to a shelter where it was quickly discovered that she was pregnant. She needed rescue so her future puppies could be well taken care of and safe! She made her way to SAAP in October 2019 right after delivering 6 puppies! She also took in a few orphan pups and raised them as her own while she was in foster care. Her puppies were all adopted in December and then it was Momma Harvests turn to be adopted! However, Harvest was diagnosed with stage 3 Heartworm. As she started treatment, she was also diagnosed with pneumonia which required multiple vet visits and many medications all together! One night, Harvest had to be rushed to the emergency vet because she was coughing up blood and having seizures. This was a complication of the heartworm disease. Her foster mom thought that she would have to say goodbye that night. Miraculously after a week in the ICU, she survived! As if this poor former momma didn’t go through enough, they found a breast mass that has to be sent off for testing. Luckily, it came back negative for cancer and she was FINALLY cleared for adoption. An amazing family that had been waiting for her the whole time was able to take her home May 2020. Harvest was in foster care for 6 and a half months, underwent countless vet visits, given many medications, and showered with love by her foster family. Now she is spoiled by her forever family!
Ida
You may recognize Ida from her viral shelter picture that was shared and commented on more than a thousand times. Ida was dropped at a rural shelter after her previous owners could no longer use her to breed puppies. In July of 2019, she became a SAAP dog when a foster stepped up immediately after seeing a miserable senior girl that had lived through enough and wanted nothing more than to give her the love and life she deserved! When she arrived, it was suspected that she had lived outside for most of her life and was not well cared for. She had to have extensive dental procedure done due to severe ortho disease, an ear infection, and a mass that had to be removed from her chest and sent to be tested for cancer. Luckily, the mass came back negative and soon after with some love, rest, and caring, she was ready to go to her new family! In August of 2019, her forever family took one look at her and knew it was meant to be! In January of 2020, this amazing family decided to adopt Button as well! Button was a one-eyed kitten who had an underdeveloped eye that needed to be removed. Both are living the life of luxury and completely spoiled in their new forever home!Cynthia Rose
Maya
February 2015-A 5 month old puppy was dumped at the shelter. She needed major TLC and medicine for her demodex, non contagious mange.
March 2015-Maya went to live with her forever family who will continue her treatments and give her the life she deserves.
April 2015-Medical treatment continues for Maya and she continues to improve. You can continue following her journey on Facebook by following “Maya’s Journey”
Mikey
What are the odds? A rescue story
Before & After Pictures of Mike
In December 2013, a rescue journey was unfolding that defied all odds. On December 26th, 2013, a Pit Bull Terrier came into the Daviess County Kentucky animal shelter. They called him “Mikey”. He had been hit by a taxi and left on the side of the road. Luckily, someone saw the incident and brought him in. He was in bad shape. He had a shattered femur, a fractured pelvis, a gash on his brow, and his eyes were blood red from head trauma. Here he was, a heavily stereotyped breed in need of thousands of dollars in surgery, lying at a shelter in a state known to be among the worst for animal rights. He needed a miracle.
On New Years Day 2014, a “Hail Mary” plea went out via social media by way of this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5fUoLVgBcc SAAP volunteers saw the video and we reached out to Daviess County to make arrangements for him to come to our rescue. Mikey first had to stop at an Animal Hospital near Louisville where he underwent extensive surgery for his injuries, including the insertion of a metal rod to help support his leg and pelvis during recovery. Once he was stable enough, Mikey made the second leg of his trip and went directly into foster care.
Unable to walk, Mikey would use his front paws to pull himself around. We carried him in a sling for potty breaks and also to start his physical therapy. Over the weeks, Mikey’s leg grew stronger and he required less and less assistance in order to walk, but there was still one major hurdle to overcome. The doctors were doubtful that he was going to be able to keep his leg. The weight and movement of his leg hindered the healing of the pelvis. Additional x-rays were taken and specialists consulted. Ultimately it was decided to give it a few more weeks and re-evaluate. The extra healing time paid off and Mikey was able to keep his leg.
As Mikey neared the point of being in an adoptable state, there was one last major challenge. Who would take him in? His breed carries the toughest of stigmas and there was a chance that after further evaluation, he might need additional surgery. He needed someone who would be extra cautious given his condition and be prepared to react quickly if anything happened. As if it were a fairytale, the perfect family stepped forward and adopted Mikey. Tori Lawton and David Cook gave him an amazing home.
Now, a year later, Mikey is living the good life. He has a wonderful home and even has a little sister that looks vaguely familiar. From lying injured on the side of the road in zero degree weather, to lying with his little sister on the couch, it’s been an amazing ride for Mikey. I’m so proud to have been a small part of his incredible rescue.
Good samaritans, shelters, animal hospitals, transport, rescues, fosters, adopters, and financial supporters all make stories like this possible and it’s an awesome thing to experience. If you’ve ever considered being part of animal rescue, know that you can make a difference. Just ask Mikey!
Bailey (FKA Cinder)
June 2014-Nobody gave up on her, as she remained on the run for 4 weeks with a coyote trap stuck in her leg! Dr. Stamper (vet at Pet Wow) not only saved her leg, but she can run like lightning.
There was wire trap wrapped completely around her arm. The vet had to make an incision basically around half of the arm and then cut the wire near the bone. The good news is that she was able to use the leg before so she has good blood and nerve supply so as long as things heal up she should do great. Definitely infected so flushed and it and we are putting her on some pretty heavy duty antibiotics but as long as she does well the first few days I think she will do very good long term.
April 2015-Cinder is now Bailey and is a foster sister to SAAP dogs with her new family.
Beretta
Beretta came to SAAP with her 8 puppies after a less than perfect life. She was very scared and actually scared a very experienced SAAP foster with her growling and reaction towards people. After time and patience, Beretta became a loving, sweet dog and found herself a wonderful forever home.
