(9/24/2006)
Chance (once called “No Chance”) was found behind a business establishment in LaPlace, LA. The owner called Animal Control and the dog was taken to the shelter. They intended to feed him for five days in the hopes that he would be rescued before they would have to euthanize him. They couldn’t adopt him out because there are restrictions on Pit Bulls and Pit mixes. His story is unknown, but his condition is that of an animal who was sadly neglected… possibly locked up for quite a long time. No one knows how long it had been since his last meal, but with his entire skeleton outlined within his skin it was obvious this was not an overnight situation.
An experienced rescuer, Melanie Manning of VetAdoptions, saw Chance at the shelter and went to work sending out a plea for help to local rescue organizations. The result was the rescue of a little dog in seriously bad shape. Malnourished, skeleton visible, he was taken in by ARNO. Their immediate step was a veterinary check to work out a plan for care and recovery. A feeding schedule has been established; he is anemic, heartworm positive, and has other problems that must be put aside until he has gained weight and stabilized. Chance weighs only 15 pounds; he should be at least 40-45 pounds. Meanwhile there has been an overwhelming outpour of concern for this little guy, as word spread quickly because of the graphic photographs of his condition.
Chance will be nursed back to health by ARNO animal care volunteers, overseen and treated by Dr. Kelly Kreider of Lake Animal Clinic, and eventually be ready for foster and adoption. The bills for his veterinary care will be ongoing. If you can donate to Chance’s recovery fund, please go to www.animalrescueneworleans.org and click on DONATE. If you would prefer to send a check by mail, please send donations to Animal Rescue New Orleans, 1219 Coliseum Street, New Orleans, LA 70130.
ARNO has received not only messages from animal lovers wanting to be kept updated on Chance’s recovery, but also received concerned messages about why ARNO took Chance. Charlotte Bass-Lilly, executive director, states “Chance is just one example of the dogs ARNO helps… obviously urgent, as all are when first rescued. ARNO has accepted responsibility and is committed to long-term care to get him to full health. This is what we do…this is only a part of why ARNO is here. No dog was displaced to take this poor creature into our care. No dog was turned away because of Chance.” Outlying shelters’ intake numbers are up 50-70% because hurricane evacuees have crowded their townships and cannot find enough housing that allows pets. These outlying shelters are the ones who would have to ‘displace’ other dogs to keep one like Chance. That would not happen, Chance would have been the dog ‘displaced’ and that was why the urgency, not to mention his condition.
Bass-Lilly also concurs that there are animals on the streets still left in the three parishes most devastated by Katrina that are in urgent need, too. Urgent need of food, water and medical care… and ARNO doesn’t ignore them, these animals are being fed, and taken in, too, as they can be tracked and trapped, then given medical care and sterilized. She added, “What is an urgent matter is that ARNO survives…without ARNO thousands of animals we have saved would have surely died.”
UPDATE: 10-24-06
Chance is doing so great! He has gained over 16 pounds, double his weight!!!! His bloodwork has come back perfect so he will be starting his HW treatment on Wednesday, October 25. He is such a sweet, playful guy. And, he loves our office cat, Mimi! Thanks for keeping Chance in your thoughts….
Support and Volunteers Keep Us Alive
his bath, as he feebly stands on his own
in his kennel filled with soft blankets
and sheets to protect his bones from
hitting the kennel floor.
ARNO needs help with food (dry cat food), and donations for medical care and volunteers to help with transportation to and from vets, with shelter animal care, food/water and administrative tasks. Foster homes and permanent homes are also actively sought, and pets ready for a home are posted on both Petfinder.com and 1-800-Save-A-Pet.com. “We ask for support from the public so we can continue rescuing dogs like Chance. We are the only sizable rescue group left on-the-ground in Louisiana feeding, trapping, and rescuing in the devastated areas of the storm. ARNO receives pets on a regular basis from people still living in their vehicles… they have nowhere to live after a year of this nightmare,” said Robin Beaulieu, shelter director and rescue coordinator.
ARNO, an all-volunteer organization, actively recruits volunteers to sustain their programs. Volunteers, local and out-of-towners, are needed for a weekend, a few days, a week or a month. If you can volunteer for the food-water program, trapping, warehouse, office duties, or animal care, contact 504.571.1900 and leave a message, or email [email protected]. You can also submit an online volunteer application at https://animalrescueneworleans.org/volunteer.html
ARNO works with many of the remaining Louisiana and Mississippi rescue and humane organizations, sharing resources, supplies and pet food. ARNO touts that cooperation and collaboration gets things accomplished for the animals better, bigger and faster!
ARNO Seeking Humane Groups Across North America
ARNO is seeking additional partnerships with no-kill humane organizations that can help by even taking a few cats or dogs ready for a permanent, loving home. All ARNO animals exported are in excellent health, completely vetted including spay/neuter and free of heartworms. If your group or organization can help please contact [email protected].
About ARNO (Animal Rescue New Orleans)
Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO) was created for and is dedicated to the rescue and aid of abandoned and homeless animals in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. ARNO’s response includes, but is not limited to, immediate medical needs, as well as rescue of those animals that have been neglected, abused and deprived of loving care. ARNO promotes the foster, adoption, and reunion of pets with their original caretakers, as well as spaying/neutering of all companion animals. ARNO has the largest foster network of a rescue organization in the state of Louisiana, fostering for reunites as well as finding new homes for pets that are not claimed.