
This story begins with a dog named Max. Max lived with a family who fell on hard times and due to housing instability became homeless. Max didn’t care that his family didn’t have a home. He didn’t enjoy the exposure to the elements and the discomfort of life on the streets, but Max loved his people and was content being with them.
Max had people that loved him very much. People who were worthy of honor and respect, even though their life had drastically changed and become unstable. Max’s people found us. We were their last hope as they had already called around to so many shelters and none of them accepted pets.
Max’s people wanted so badly to keep Max by their side, but the harsh reality of life on the streets loomed over them. They were faced with the options of abandoning their beloved Max or staying on the streets, where they did not feel safe.
We were unable to help and that was heart wrenching, however we did not lose faith and we did not give up hope. We persisted in our efforts to spread the word, fundraise, and fight for the people and pets in our community. We worked harder so that we could save dogs like Max and his beloved owners who did not want to abandon Max to the uncertainty of a shelter. One week later another call came in. For this call we were able to say yes! We owe our gratitude for that yes to our gracious donor, the Charles L Shor Foundation.
This call was from a woman who had made the incredibly brave choice to leave a domestic violence situation. By the grace of God, she had gotten out of the situation safely with her two pet cats. However, she was staying in her car and while it was safe, it was not sustainable for her or her cats. She needed a safe shelter while she got on her feet and had found one nearby. So then, she called us. We did not tell her that she would have to abandon her pet to be safe. We did not tell her that she would have to stay in danger in order for herself and her pets to have a roof. We told her we hear you, we hear your needs and we are able to help.
She was incredibly grateful that her story was heard, her need was understood, and that she would be able to find the safety she deserved knowing that her cats were waiting safely to be reunited with her.
Written by Clare Hotard
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