Kiki Is Safe!
Kiki
The week before Thanksgiving, we received several emails about a German Shorthaired Pointer in a Central Coast Animal Shelter. One email from Hallie, The Volunteer Rescue Coordinator, asked if we could help with a GSP that they had taken in.
Kiki was a four-year-old stray held at the animal shelter, hoping her owner would come to claim her. When no one showed, the animal shelter reached out. Kiki had a grapefruit-sized growth on her leg that would make adopting her out locally nearly impossible. The only way to get her out of the shelter would be to find a rescue that could get her the medical attention she needed and find a suitable home.
California GSP Rescue wasn't concerned about her medical needs as they would get her to see their Vet and get her the medical attention needed. Rather, transporting her would be challenging because the shelter is so far from our Southern California base. Messages started going out to the Volunteers to check their availability, but the real game-changer was the animal shelter volunteers.
Hallie asked for assistance from their end and immediately got a response. Michelle was a shelter volunteer that would be traveling to Southern California the following week for Thanksgiving and offered to assist.
With the first leg of the transport taken care of, California GSP Rescue needed a volunteer to meet Michelle. Not having all the logistical information meant the California GSP Rescue volunteer would need to be flexible on the meeting time and place. Volunteer David had no plans to travel over the holidays and would be available most days to meet. He would then drive to meet Volunteer Greg, who would take Kiki on the last leg of her trip.
With all the legs of the transport covered, the execution was the last remaining challenge. Michelle planned to travel to Southern California on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving - one of the year's busiest travel days. That would ultimately require some last-minute changes between the second and third leg of the transport, which David would solve by adding a waypoint. His house.
Under normal circumstances, this is discouraged and not allowed for several reasons. However, the day before Thanksgiving was different from a typical day. David had a dog-friendly home, and there wasn't too much trouble Kiki could get into in the short time she was there other than getting on the couch and counter-surfing!
With an hour delay, Volunteer David met Volunteer Greg, and Kiki was one step closer to a forever home. The only concern was getting the growth on her leg looked at by Dr. Kang. It would take a week to get her in, but Volunteer Peggy got her in to see Dr. Kang, who removed the benign lipoma growth when he spayed Kiki. A big thanks to Volunteer Peggy for helping transport her to see Dr. Kang.
In the short time Kiki has been at California GSP Rescue, we've found she can be a little anxious and excitable but calmer when exercised. At four years of age, she'll still need regular exercise but will be a little easier to manage than the younger, more energetic GSP’s. She is adventurous and sweet - like a good GSP!
While Kiki is still being evaluated, she will likely be adopted quickly once her stitches are removed. If you are interested, we strongly recommend you submit an adoption application now. Her medical bill was just over $500, some of which will be covered by the Rescue Heroes.
Please click here if you are interested in donating or becoming a Rescue Hero.
California GSP Rescue is grateful to the Rescue Heroes whose monthly contributions help pay for the food and care for the GSP’s while they wait for their forever homes. California GSP Rescue is also grateful to the Volunteers that donate their time and make everything possible.
Lastly, California GSP Rescue is exceptionally grateful to Volunteer Rescue Coordinator Halle and Shelter Volunteer Michelle for helping get Kiki to California GSP Rescue. Please look for more on Kiki soon.
