Zac Is Safe!
Zac
Zac showed up in the shelter five years ago in February 2016 as a stray. California GSP Rescue monitored him in 2016 until his owner claimed him, and again in August 2021 when he showed up again at the shelter. However, five years later, in 2021, he was brought to the animal shelter by his owner and surrendered.
The past eighteen months have been unusual times for animal shelters, from being emptied with an increased interest in adopting, to being overwhelmed with animals being given up, returned not only from individuals that adopted, but surrendered from others that went and got puppies. Animal shelters are not rescues. Most Animal Shelters hold animals for a period; the State of California mandates five days for any strays, after which they will need to make room for the continuous incoming flow of dogs and cats. Zac wasn't in a good place.
For Zac to be made available, the shelter must first evaluate him. This process takes time. Nearly five days passed before he was assessed - no significant issues with other dogs or people - and listed for adoption. If Zac were eight years younger, there might have been several individuals showing up the day he was made available, but at nine years of age, no one showed.
California GSP Rescue made plans to pick up Zac after the holiday weekend when the animal shelter opened. The volunteer arrived at the animal shelter and found a small group of individuals waiting to see young dogs. Covid safety standards prevent individuals from walking the kennels. Anyone wanting to meet or even view a dog must wait for an animal control officer to bring up the dogs to the front gate. California GSP Rescue's volunteer put his name on the list and waited patiently for an Animal Contol Officer to retrieve Zac. In contrast, others around him looked at the photos of younger, more desirable dogs.
After a wait, an Animal Control Officer arrived with an excited Zac - excited to be out of his kennel and see his only visitor. Hard to believe this "boy" was nine years old as he jumped into the back of the car. The volunteer leaned down to secure him and was given kisses - almost as if Zac knew what had just happened. Zac was safe!
When rescuing a dog, one gets a certain feeling that is difficult to explain to anyone who has never saved a dog. If you are a previous adopter, you know the sensation. Everything an adopted dog adds to your life is more extraordinary because the dog exists. The dog also senses this - they are here because a chain of events led them to a second chance. California GSP Rescue would like to thank all the adopters, volunteers, supporters, and, last but not least, the Rescue Heroes that help support our efforts and allow these magic moments to happen.
If you would like to support our efforts to continue to save dogs like Zac, please consider becoming a Rescue Hero.
