Donna Vickroy: So many cats and dogs are looking for ‘forever' homes — they need our help
An animal lover's work is never done.
Your compassion and networking skills are once again needed to help some special Chicago area animals find a forever home.
You may recall that within days of their story going online, Mimi and Gucci found a new family and left the Naperville Area Humane Society. The bonded pair had been relinquished in February after their terminally ill owner could no longer care for them. Today, they are settling in at their new home.
Theirs is a success story. But it also is a drop in the bucket event.
As difficult as it may be to place healthy, single animals with a new owner, the challenge can seem off the charts when special needs or extenuating circumstances come into play.
Of course, all it takes is finding the right human. Then again, it's a great big world.
And so we're back, hoping that once again you, savvy reader, can find a good match for these pets in need. Reminder: While these stories highlight the desperation of a few, there are literally thousands of furry creatures in need of a family. If you're considering a pet, consider those that are living in area shelters. They could use a hero.
Peter Cangelosi's heart broke when he learned two puppies and their mom were scheduled to be euthanized at a Houston facility on Feb. 14.
'It was Valentine's Day,' said Cangelosi, founder and executive director of Pets and Vets USA in Roselle. 'I couldn't let them die.'
Cangelosi, who regularly rescues dogs on the verge of being destroyed, said the 14-week-old puppies are a mix of Labrador, border collie and husky. They have a lot of energy and love to run.
They are a bonded sibling pair, one male, one female. Named for their birthdate, Valentina sleeps atop Valentino, he said. 'That's how close they are.'
They need to stay together, Cangelosi said. Meanwhile, he plans to keep the mother until she fully decompresses from a life spent on the streets.
He realizes finding a home for two animals is a tall order. 'It's a matter of finding that right person out there,' he said.
For more information on Valentina and Valentino, or any of the many other dogs Cangelosi rescues from dire situations across the country, go to petsandvetsusa.com.
Gregory and Mark are 2-year-old 'best buddies' currently living at NAWS Humane Society in Mokena. The cats have been waiting for a forever home for a year now.
'When these beautiful boys first came to NAWS, they were so scared that they would huddle in their litter box together, too frightened to let anyone even touch them,' said Debbie Nolan, the shelter's director. 'Now, they can't wait to come out of their cage to play and explore our Feline Hall.'
Gregory, with the bright orange fur, is definitely the more adventurous of the two, she said. He will climb to higher surfaces to oversee all the activity at the rescue and has been known to spend hours running around with the other kitties.
'His snarky little face is just adorable,' Nolan said.
Mark, with the buff orange fur, is timid and prefers independent play with toys, she said.
Both are curious and interested in other pets, she said. Both enjoy attention from people but do best when approached slowly.
'We can see how hard they are trying, and we are so proud of how far they have come,' Nolan said. 'In the right home, with an adopter who will be patient with them, we expect them to thrive and build a trusting bond.'
Because they provide companionship and comfort to each other, it would be ideal for them to go home together, she said.
If you would like to meet them, or have any questions, email Catadoptions@nawsus.org.
Ruthie is 'a beautiful 2½-year-old tripod girl. She was found as a stray in a forest preserve and immediately brought to an emergency vet, where it was determined that she suffered from a severely broken leg,' said Jeremy Manthey, social media and visual content coordinator at South Suburban Humane Society in Matteson.
'Unfortunately, her leg could not be saved,' he said.
After amputation, Ruthie recovered in a foster home, where she currently resides, he said.
'The loss of her leg has not slowed her at all. She's a happy girl who loves the other dogs in the foster home. She built herself a fort on the couch where she could catch the most peaceful nap. She is an affectionate pup who craves attention and head scratches,' Manthey said.
If you'd like to meet her, fill out the form at forms.gle/pj317JttC7s38ibQA.
As always, any help is big help. If you can't adopt, consider a donation. At the very least, help spread the word. It just might reach the right human.
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