Chester is Safe!
Chester
Chester wandered around in a remote area before animal control picked him up and listed him as a stray. The animal shelter must hold strays for five days before making them available for adoption. During that time, the hope is that the owner will come forward and claim their dog. Chester's owner did not.
California GSP Rescue was notified about Chester shortly after animal control picked him up. Looking at the photo of the young (estimated two-year-old) black and white German Shorthaired Pointer, we thought for sure someone would be looking for him and pick him up. However, after five days, the owner didn't come forward. The shelter made him available for adoption. Knowing that the young purebred dogs at the animal shelters are the most desired dogs of the visitors looking to adopt, we thought he'd be adopted the first day. He was not.
California GSP Rescue has a good relationship with the animal shelter holding Chester. Through emails and phone calls, we learned not only that there was little interest in anyone adopting Chester, but the animal shelter was experiencing a surge of stray and unwanted dogs that were being relinquished. Kennel space was at a premium. Even though Chester was a young purebred German Shorthaired Pointer, he was now at risk of being euthanized to make room for the incoming dogs.
After learning that Chester's owner didn't claim him and there was little interest in adopting Chester, California GSP Rescue began making plans to get him. The animal shelter requires payment to be made over the phone and an appointment for Rescues to pick up dogs. An extra step, but the Rescue Coordinator realizes that the Volunteer for California GSP Rescue is traveling a distance and does the best that they can to accommodate schedules.
The California GSP Rescue Volunteer arrived a few minutes early and went to the kennels to find Chester. Passing by a staggering number of dogs waiting to be claimed or adopted, the Volunteer found Chester in his kennel, almost as if he was expecting a visitor. Chester appeared a little shy. Who was this person looking through the bars at him? It wasn't his owner, but he did offer treats. Chester slowly approached to investigate. There is something about moments like this. Few words are spoken, but a connection is made. Chester looked at the Volunteer with gratitude.
The Volunteer met the Rescue Coordinator to complete the paperwork, and the Rescue Coordinator called to bring Chester up. He arrived a few minutes later in the lobby and was relatively calm compared to other GSPs that had previously made the same walk and pulled to greet all the people waiting. Walking outside, he found some shade and plopped down, not yet wanting to step out into the sun and heat. With a bit of encouragement, he made his way to the back of the car and jumped in. He was happy to be out of the animal shelter and didn't know what lay in store for him. Chester was safe.
Many Animal Shelters' kennels are full. California GSP Rescue is receiving notifications daily 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 GSPs.
If you have an unaltered dog, please consider getting them spayed or neutered. Most of the dogs at the shelters are mixes and from unwanted litters.
Please think about making a donation - funds will help GSPs in need of forever homes. Lastly, consider becoming a Rescue Hero and helping support the efforts of an all-volunteer organization dedicated to rescuing German Shorthaired Pointers.
