Happy Tails: Maggie

Dear Volunteers of Castaway,

On December 14th, you transported a dog named Shea's litter.  One of those puppies was pup number 8, now called Maggie.  She appreciated the chance you gave her to find her forever home and thought you might like to hear a happy update.  Her forever family walked in the door at Eleventh Hour's Petsmart location in NJ to "just look" as we were searching for a golden retriever puppy to add to our family.  Our three year old wanted a puppy for Christmas and we're a bunch of suckers when it comes to the sad look followed by "please".

Needless to say we filled out a pre-adopt in case we happened to "just look" at someone who might fit.  Then we found Maggie.  Her name was Prancer, she had rolled in something awful in the cage with her brother and sister, and she pee'd on my foot.  All that aside, our 4-year old shepherd mix and her couldn't have cared less that they were laying next to each other.  It was love.

She was approximately 12 pounds when we adopted her December 15th.  She is now 5 months old (by your birthday) and is weighing in at a growing 40.6 pounds.  4 more pounds and she outweighs her new older brother Buddy.  She is a menace when it comes to jumping, but we're working on her manners with puppy training courses.  (She already graduated her first basic course.)  She's proficient in leave it, stay, and sit.  Down and go to place need some more work.  As she is most likely a pit mix, we're working to have her achieve the status of canine good citizen so she can be an ambassador for the breed.  She plays gently with our son, nipping him when he gets out of line but never breaking skin or leaving any red marks.  She plays like crazy with Buddy in our 1/2 acre fenced yard, and she sleeps (depending on the night and her mood) either on our bed, a fluffy dog bed next to our bed, or in her crate with her favorite blankets.

She is gorgeous, crazy, and beyond all she's our new little princess. She charms everyone she meets, and we wouldn't trade her for anything.  Thank you for taking Shea and her babies into your shelter and giving us the chance to find our new fur baby.  I have attached a few pictures for you so you can see how she's doing since moving to NJ.  The first is her with her new big brother Buddy, the second is her in one of her favorite spots (the bed).

Thanks again!
Erin, Rich, Ryan, Buddy, and Maggie

Help Us Help Bluey

Bluey, a Pibble Mix,  was pulled by Castaway Critters Pet Rescue from death row at a high kill shelter.  The ACO assured Castaways Bluey was good with other dogs.   Bluey went into a very experienced foster home where he was doing well with the other older dogs but then two pups were brought into the foster home and Bluey did not do so well with them. The puppies are fine but Bluey needs a little help.  Bluey was scheduled to go to our rescue friends in NJ but since he is somewhat dog aggressive his invitation has been put on hold.  Bluey's current fosters are not able to keep him past 3/31 and all of our other fosters have smaller dogs or puppies in their care so Bluey can not go to them. We are in a difficult spot but there is a small glimmer of help and hope.  A very good trainer near Castaways has offered to take Bluey into his program for the 6 weeks of training to help Bluey with his aggressions but there is the cost of the training and boarding at the trainer's.  It will cost $1200 to help Bluey and we just do not have the funds because of all the sick, HW+, senior dogs we have rescued recently.  We want to do what is best for Bluey and we feel the trainer is what is best to help Bluey have a great life as Bluey is a wonderful dog with humans of all sizes.

We know everyone is bombarded every day with requests for help and we hesitate to add our voices to the fray but we have to if we are going to help Bluey.  We need to raise the $1200 as soon as possible so Bluey can start his training. If you would like to donate to help Bluey please paypal your donations to castawaycrittersrescue@gmail.com or if you prefer you can use our Razoo page (please note they only take credit cards.) http://www.razoo.com/story/Help-Bluey-The-Pittie-Mix-Pay-For-His-Training?referral_code=share

We are a 501(c)3 so all donations are fully deductible according to the rules of the IRS. Thank you for helping us help Bluey.

Dog of the Month: FeeBee

Meet pretty girl Feebee. She is approx. 2 years old and was rescued from a high kill animal control facility. We think she is a Mountain Cur/Boxer mix, she weighs about 40 pounds. She is very sweet, loving, loves to run and play. She has a wonderful personality, is good with other dogs and would be great with kids! Feebee is spayed, vaccinated and ready for a forever home. If you think Feebee may be the right girl for you, call Nancy at 706-835-1828 today! Also, go to castaway-critters.org to see more dogs and cats ready for adoption.

As our featured Dog of the Month, adoption fees are half the normal amount. However, if you don't have room for another kitty or doggie and would like to sponsor instead, please call 706-781-3992 or email for more information. You can always go to castaway-critters.org to see more of the pets at the shelter waiting for homes.

Cat of the Month: Guppy

This is Guppy.  He was thrown away in a large trash bag, tied shut, and full of garbage.  He was rescued when a woman was putting her own garbage in a street side dumpster and saw the black bag moving.  She gave him a bath before she brought him to us because he was so filthy.  We have rarely met a sweeter, more loveable cat!  Guppy is a young male with really amber eyes, beautiful coloring and maybe a year old.  He is friendly, playful, affectionate and well mannered.  Purrfect for any home.  He is the sweetest boy!

As our featured Pet of the Month, adoption fees are half the normal amount. However, if you don't have room for another kitty or doggie and would like to sponsor instead, please call 706-781-3992 or email for more information. You can always go to castaway-critters.org to see more of the pets at the shelter waiting for homes.

Happy Tails: Taffy

We received an update on Taffy: Taffy and her new brother Elvis are doing great. He is getting bigger and he drives her crazy as you would expect a puppy to do. But she tolerates it and when she is done tolerating she growls or snaps and he rolls over on his back. I’ts so cute but then seconds later he is back pulling at her neck again! It will be funny to see how they are when he is 3 times her size! But for now she can push him around.

They tease Mary the goat by playing with her outside and then they run into the dog door and Mary can’t get through inside the home. It’s all just too funny. But Taffy plays with little Elvis like a dog should. She’s going back to being a dog and it’s so refreshing to see.  

 

Taffy is so pretty and she gets so excited when guests come over. She runs in a circle in the yard and wiggles herself in half like only pitties can do! She’s awesome!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Tails: Chucky

We recently received a quick note and some pictures from one of our adopters.

"You called him Chucky, we named him J.J. but everyone now calls him 'Snicker Doodle.'  Go figure." Stan & Rita

 

 

 

 

We are Here to Rescue

In the world of animal rescue, as in other fields, there are things that go on that the public does not realize. Most people think when they relinquish an animal to a rescue, shelter or humane society, that compassionate people will take and care for that animal and it will be safe until they find it a new forever home...on a beautiful farm with rolling fields of clover.

The reality usually is no such thing. Just because they are a shelter or rescue does not mean that your animal will make it out with its life. Most shelters and rescues have a board of directors that governs their intake and functions. There are few state-governing rules. Each shelter or rescue can decide which animals they will take for admission; and depending on the shelter, limit themselves to the young, pretty, and easily-adoptable.  Shelters now label themselves either “low kill” or “no kill” to make it sound better for the public...yet each term can be deceiving. Low kill means the rescue or shelter will not kill one animal to make room for another, or will only euthanize for severe injury or illness or both. No kill means they will not kill unless it’s to end suffering. However, it’s all subjective and dependent on the individual shelter and their mission. But some shelters get around this in a creative way by calling in animal control to pick up animals that do not conform to their admission criteria, therefore maintaining their no kill status.

 

This is not to say all rescues, shelters and humane societies are poor and inhumane. There are some that work diligently to save and rescue as many animals as possible from neglect and death—and go above and beyond to help them all. We urge you to learn how the rescues and shelters in your neighborhood really operate before ever depending upon them to find a forever home for any pet that crosses your path.

 

At Castaways, each and every soul is worthy of our love and compassion no matter the breed, age, or health. We are here to rescue.