NewsOctober 29, 2024

Bollinger County Stray Project rescues a litter of pups from a grim fate, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of animal rescue efforts. Learn how community support saved these innocent lives.

Ms. Kitty is a stray on Hwy JJ at Tamara Kay's home. She has posted her on What's Happening in Bollinger County. She says the cat is very affectionate. She's looking for a home for Ms. Kitty. 
Ms. Kitty is a stray on Hwy JJ at Tamara Kay's home. She has posted her on What's Happening in Bollinger County. She says the cat is very affectionate. She's looking for a home for Ms. Kitty. Submitted

Over two months ago I received a call from a home health care organization. The family had a stray dog appear, most likely dumped. She was huge, and so were her nipples. She was about to whelp a litter of pups and it appeared, a lot of pups.

I would learn the dog came into heat soon after being dumped and was bred by the couple’s two adult males. So they knew she was bred and did not start seeking help right away

That is the kind of thinking that really irritates people in rescue. Mom could have been spayed and it could have been the end of unwanted pups.

I posted her and no owner or rescue came forward.

Reel forward about two weeks later I received a call about their litter of surviving pups. I asked for photos of them which I never received. .

Last week another call when the pups were between 7-8 weeks old. Another home health care worker called. This gal was worried because the family told her they were going to shoot the pups if I would not take them.

The elderly couple and their son had worked out a plan. He would take the pups to Walmart in Dexter or Cape this past weekend and any left would be brought home and shot.

I asked them to please send me photos and I would try again to find a rescue for them. This was not an ER situation.

This time they actually did send photos, and the pups were so cute and appeared to be free of the typical pit mix that most have been of late. I would have a better chance to find them a rescue.

Indeed, that was what happened. I had two people call to help the litter. One claimed she was working with a rescue in St. Louis, but that gal had lied to me about two years ago after I and another lady took two litters, then were stuck with them. It was her “sick” way to get the pups safe, but with NO regard to either the other lady or my situation in winter.

I had a back up plan to care for the group in my care. The other lady was a Good Samaritan who was married. I hoped her husband did not divorce her after being dumped on with a litter of popping machines that would be in her home long term. She had never cared for a litter before and suddenly, in bad weather, she was about to have her marriage and patience tested.

She purchased puppy food and sorted out a spot for a messy crate. I advised a puppy play pen would be helpful and what food would be least apt to cause a loose stool with the pups. Also advised to de-worm them.

I called her again in a few days. With each call I apologized for how that ordeal went down.

Fortunately her husband took it in stride. I was so thankful, but never have I forgiven that lady who “set us up” by an outright lie that a rescue was going to take them. I eventually found a group for my litter and she found homes for the ones in her care.

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SO when the same person sent me a text, like she did the last time, that the same rescue would take these pups, but not mom, I asked for the rescue contact. She refused to give me the name or number.

Fortunately another gal texted me that I know well, and the next day she picked up the mom and litter.

I have seen families torn apart, divorces take place, when a member, usually the wife, takes on rescue dogs or cats without the support of the spouse or family unit. Decisions to take on a litter, a potty pooping, messy, noisy, group of pups should be made by the accepting family.

Fortunately no one hated me for what happened, but I will never again trust that woman who lied to both of us, and now it seems lied a second time. .

Dogs held for other rescues (1):

… One of four Aussie/Husky, Great Pyrenees type mix pups that were abandoned in Bollinger County, now age 12 months.

Return to owner (0), placed in other rescues or foster (8) or adopted (0):

… Litter of seven pups, age 7 weeks and their mother, a hound looking mix, former stray: they went to a foster about to get her rescue license. The litter and mom will be held for another rescue to accept.

Dogs with erlichia or heartworm (0), special needs (0), or euthanized (0):

…None.

Lost, found, and pets needing homes:

… Several dogs listed on our Facebook page also on the two Bollinger County “What’s Happening” pages, that are found or missing. IF you don’t have FB call us so we can try to match lost pets.

Miscellaneous and contact info:

We were caring for 17 dogs and pups at our home 10/27/24. If you have a stray camping out in the yard don’t wait. Call us at 573-722-3035 or cell 573-321-0050.

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