New transport program aids three-legged dog
Eevee, a stray with extensive injuries, can be seen before medical care and a new program helped the dog find adoption. (Courtesy of Friends of Madera Animal Shelter)
A program begun 10 months ago to move dogs out of a crowded Madera County shelter to out-of-area human societies and animal rescues has saved 1,440 animals, according to Friends of Madera Animal Shelter.
One of those is a one-year-old Chihuahua named Eevee.
A flea-covered stray found hiding under a house’s porch, Eevee came to Madera County’s shelter with a horrific injury to her left front leg. Oregon Humane Society agreed to accept the little dog as part of a FMAS 31-animal transport from Madera to their Portland facility.
Veterinarians at OHS say her recovery from such extensive injuries is remarkable, all the more so because she was living as a stray dog with no apparent owner or medical care. Equally remarkable, they said, is the small dog’s ability to walk and run with just one front leg and one rear leg.
OHS veterinarians were forced to amputate the leg, which had a bone stump protruding from the knee. Eevee’s condition was complicated by the apparent loss of her right rear leg. Although most of her rear leg had been lost, the injury had healed and did not require surgery.
“She has adapted very well. She can move around, walk at a fast pace, and we’ve even see her go up and down a stair,” said Dr. Margaret Wixson, a veterinarian at the OHS Holman Medical Center.
“She acts like a normal dog who just wants to be a dog and be loved by people.” said Wixson.
After 11 days at OHS, Eevee was available for adoption Thursday. In a few hours, a family adopted her.
“The (Rescue Transport) Program is critical because the sad fact is Madera County has too many animals and too few adopters,” said FMAS Rescue Coordinator Robin Bell, adding that more volunteer help is needed.
A Rescue Volunteer Orientation is scheduled for 10 a.m. Aug. 27 at Madera County Animal Shelter, 14269 Road 28. Help is needed with paperwork, dog assessing and handling, video taping, loading and driving vans and more.
“There is a job everyone and this is your chance to make a difference,” Bell said.
For more success stories or updates, visit www.facebook.com/friendsofmaderanimalshelter or our website www.fmas.info. For information, contact FMAS at 559-363-5106.
