Cam Is safe!

Cam

We find it upsetting and equally sad when older GSP’s are picked up as strays and taken to animal shelters. Yes, older GSP’s can be opportunists finding an open gate or a door left open too long to escape and explore. However, owners usually know these chronic behaviors, likely having dealt with them for years, and know what to do. But if the owner could not find their dog, why would they not check a shelter? That is the question we beg to know. These are not young active mischievous dogs but rather older, more mellow GSP’s that are relatively easier to manage than the more youthful, highly energetic, more demanding German Shorthaired Pointers.

At 10-years-old, Cam would fall into the category of older GSP’s. Someone found him and brought him to the shelter as a stray, which, given how easy going and slow his usual walking pace, we find it hard to believe he would wander too far from where he sleeps and is fed. Because he had no microchip, the animal shelter held Cam for the mandatory five days, and no one came or inquired about him. No one.

California GSP Rescue received emails from a few Volunteers that regularly monitor the local shelters. Cam was on our radar, and we continued to watch him. The animal shelter has an evaluation policy that needs to be completed before a dog is made available. Fortunately, on the day that Cam became available, an Animal Control Officer was able to complete the evaluation. No one showed up to claim him and, unsurprisingly, no one was there the first day he was made available for adoption. The next day he was made available to rescue.

Making an appointment and planning the transport can be challenging. However, when the Animal Control Officer let us know there was an appointment the same afternoon, we didn't hesitate. The sooner Cam was out of the shelter, the better. A Volunteer immediately made plans to go to the animal shelter the same day and get him.

The Volunteer arrived at the shelter and checked in. It would be a few minutes for one of the Animal Control Officers to collect Cam and bring him out. Looking at Cam walk toward the gate, the Volunteer knew this wasn't a dog that was likely to have run away. No way. The owner had either dumped Cam or, worse, brought him to the shelter as a stray claiming he had been found. Both are despicable acts, but there wasn't time to worry about how Cam arrived at the shelter. Now that Cam was safe, the focus would be on finding him a forever home where he would be loved and would never end back up at the shelter.

The Volunteer loaded Cam up in the back of the car. On the way back, he called Dr. Kang's office. The next day, there was an appointment to bring another dog for Dr. Kang to examine, but the other dog would have to wait a week. Cam was going in his place.

Finding homes for dogs like Cam can be a challenge as most families are interested in adopting a younger dog. However, Cam has several good years left in him, and someone is going to hit the jackpot when they adopt Cam as he has a lot of love yet left to give.

If you are interested in learning if Cam is a candidate for you, please apply to adopt. If you are interested in adopting, please like and share this post with everyone you know. We are confident someone is looking for a dog like Cam - we just need help finding them! If you would like to help even more, please consider becoming a Rescue Hero