Chef Is Safe!

Chef

Animal Shelters everywhere are full. When a California GSP Rescue Volunteer saw there was an older German Shorthaired Pointer in a shelter, they didn't waste any time contacting the Rescue Coordinator. The adoption coordinator at this particular animal shelter had worked with California GSP Rescue for several years, and immediately replied with information about Chef.

The Animal Shelter listed Chef as eight years old but to the California GSP Rescue volunteer, that was being nice. From the photo, he might be nine or possibly ten years old. However, judging a dog's age by just a picture is challenging, and the Volunteer knew one could be off by several years. In addition, Chef had several large masses that would need to be looked at by a Veterinarian. Fingers crossed, they were only lipomas, fatty tumors found in adult and older dogs. Like so many recent dogs California GSP Rescue has recently rescued, Chef had been picked up by an Animal Control Officer as a stray. Yes, hard to believe, but this bumpy eight to ten-year-old GSP was found as a stray, and the owner never came to claim him from the Animal Shelter.

The Rescue Coordinator let the California GSP Rescue volunteer know that Chef had just become available. She had been busy networking and working with Rescues to help place all the other dogs. The Animal Shelter was full. There were two to three dogs in kennels, and these weren't just Mix Breeds. There were Purebred dogs like Chef. Some were under one year of age. Mistakes people had made - poor decisions to purchase a puppy without doing any homework on the breed. In an Animal Shelter, with most dogs being much younger than Chef, his chances of being adopted were very slim.

California GSP Rescue didn't waste any time. The Volunteer immediately made plans to get Chef out. Knowing most adopters aren't interested in adopting a dog with lumps and possibly medical issues, Chef would be at risk of being euthanized to make room for the constant flow of dogs Animal Shelters are currently experiencing.

Arriving at the Animal Shelter, the Volunteer was met by a chorus of dogs barking. The welcome was deafening and made it difficult to hear the Rescue Coordinator as they walked towards Chef's kennel. It was as if each dog was saying, "Hey! Look at me!" However, the Volunteer was here for one dog, Chef.

Chef and a young Huskie shared the same kennel, and the Volunteer made a note to share that information as there aren't many older dogs that would tolerate an active young breed. Both dogs greeted the Volunteer and Rescue Coordinator as the Rescue Coordinator slipped a leash on Chef and gave the leash to the waiting Volunteer. Oh, Chef was happy as he pulled toward the door. It was as if he knew better things were to come. Chef was safe.

Many Animal Shelters are at capacity, and California GSP Rescue receives emails every day requesting help. We help by focusing on one active breed that isn't for everyone, and you can help too. Like, comment, and share this post and other posts on social media to help find forever homes for the rescued GSP’s. If you are a GSP owner, help educate others about the breed, especially if they show interest in an active young GSP. Explain that most need a minimum of thirty minutes, and sometimes more, of strenuous exercise. Make a donation - funds will help GSPs like Chef get any medical attention they need. Lastly, consider becoming a Rescue Hero and helping support the efforts of an all-volunteer organization dedicated to rescuing German Shorthaired Pointers.

Chef at the shelter