Adopted from a Shelter, Returned, Then Rescued: The Incredible Journey of Nellie
Nellie
It all began with a timely email from a fellow rescuer who had spotted a young German Shorthaired Pointer at the local animal shelter. Notifications like this weren't unusual, as they were just one small part of the much larger effort to save countless animals in overcrowded kennels waiting for loving homes. Coincidentally, on the same day, we received another email, this time from the Adoption Coordinator at the shelter. The brief message informed us that a young GSP had been rescued as a stray and was now available for adoption. The adorable images of the pup tugged at our heartstrings, but we wouldn't be able to visit the shelter for a few more days due to unforeseen circumstances.
It was toward the end of a long and busy week for California GSP Rescue, who had already rescued five dogs from local animal shelters that week. Despite our eagerness to help, we were logistically challenged. We replied to the Adoption Coordinator, asking if the young GSP would be safe over the weekend. To our relief, the Adoption Coordinator quickly responded, assuring us that the pup would be in no danger over the weekend and that she would provide us an update in the first part of the following week.
The following week we heard from the Adoption Coordinator that the young female GSP was no longer available. Over the weekend, a young couple had adopted her, and there was a collective sigh of relief. However, that relief was short-lived.
Two weeks later, we received another email from the Adoption Coordinator with not-so-good news. The young couple had returned the GSP to a different animal shelter that was full and didn't have any kennels to spare. We were shocked and disappointed to hear that the pup was back in a shelter and at risk of being put down. The Adoption Coordinator was arranging to transfer her back to the original shelter and asked if we could assist. This time, California GSP Rescue didn't hesitate, and we made plans to save this young German Shorthaired Pointer from an uncertain fate.
Volunteer Greg made arrangements with the adoption coordinator to visit the animal shelter and save Nellie. While there, he walked the kennels and noted all the amazing dogs that filled the kennel runs - so many purebred and mixed dogs with wanting gazes. California GSP Rescue was freeing up a kennel to buy the dogs in the kennels another day.
If you want to learn more about Nellie, why her adopters returned her to the shelter, and the other adoptable dogs at the animal shelter needing homes, watch the video. If you want to learn more about how to help, please consider becoming a Rescue Hero and making a small monthly donation. The Rescue Heroes assist California GSP Rescue in continuing their efforts of rescuing German Shorthaired Pointers and helping decrease the number of dogs being euthanized for space at the animal shelters.
