Whether you believe in angels or not, the grace of several “angels among us” was evidenced recently when 49 dogs’ lives were saved due to the work of Angels Among Us Pet Rescue.
Just before a two-week lockdown at the Walker County Animal Shelter due to an outbreak of parvovirus, the Atlanta rescue group swooped in and picked up all the adoptable dogs in the kennel. WCAS manager Alison Smith said the dogs were immediately taken to a veterinary facility where they were tested for parvo and treated if need be. The dogs were also given all their necessary immunizations as well as spay/neuter surgeries.
Now the dogs are ready for adoption with “angels” guiding them to become more adoptable by the day.
Smith said she has been trying to find local foster families for WCAS’ dogs and cats for 10 years.
“I still need foster families and volunteers,” she said. “I have one volunteer.”
Smith said Angels Among Us is a reputable rescue that can provide services beyond what WCAS has the capability of doing.
“Potentially, the dogs could be adopted by families all over the United States,” she said. “Everything needed for the animal, AAU provides.”
She encourages locals to donate to the registered nonprofit, as AAU functions solely on donations.
“I would ask that they donate to AAU to help the Walker County animals,” she said.
One problem Smith faces at WCAS is the shelter’s location. It’s in the middle of nowhere, she said. She would love to construct a larger no-kill shelter in a more noticeable location, perhaps on Highway 27 or Battlefield Parkway, she said.
“We have a small amount of pets to be adopted out still at the shelter,” noted Smith.
WCAS partners with McKamey Animal Center, Pet Placement Center and the Humane Educational Society in Chattanooga to help adopt out some of the rural shelter’s pets.
“We are diligent to find pet placement and homes for animals,” Smith said.
The more the community steps up to help by volunteering, making donations and fostering or adopting animals, the more lives are saved, she said.
“The healthy animals we make every effort to adopt out or send to a rescue,” said Smith. “However, some pets brought in are heartworm-positive. Some are covered in fleas and ticks and some show evidence of having intestinal parasites. The community surrenders these animals to us in this condition because they cannot afford to provide the care necessary for their animals.”
The shelter is in need of newspapers to line crates, crates, rubber backed entry rugs and Kuranda beds.