Abandoned dogs now with Citizens for Animal Care
Jolene was found in a ditch on Cloud Springs Road a little over a month ago. She had two broken legs. The brown and white girl with one blue eye and one brown eye was a frightened, hungry dog.
Jolene’s first stop on her rescue journey was the Catoosa County Animal Shelter where a vet looked her over and administered some pain medication.
The shelter called Catoosa Citizens for Animal Care (CCAC), and they took Jolene to their vet in Dalton. “The vet said she needed a specialist to operate on her legs,” says CCAC volunteer Sara DeBerry. “We searched around and found one in Chattanooga who could do the job.”
Jolene is now in a foster home where a CCAC volunteer is pampering her while she recovers. “She’s a really sweet dog who wants to stay close to her person all the time,” says DeBerry. “When she’s better we’ll be looking for a forever home for her.”
In the end, Jolene’s care came to $4,000. CCAC posted news of Jolene on their Facebook page to try to raise funds to cover the vet bills. “A rescue group from up north donated $1,500,” says DeBerry. “And a lady who works for the vet donated $500. A lot of other people made donations, too. Every single dollar helps.”
Gabby was discovered by the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Department, abandoned and starving in an empty house. The boxer puppy’s ribs were protruding and she had no use of her back legs. CCAC took Gabby to a vet, who is working to determine if the problem with her legs is congenital or a result of malnutrition. When she’s well enough, Gabby will go to a CCAC foster home until the animal rescue group can find a permanent home for her.
“This is what we do every day,” says DeBerry. “Unfortunately, a lot of people think it’s acceptable to dump and abandon dogs and cats, to starve them and abuse them.”
The good news, says DeBerry, is that there are so many kind and generous people who are willing to help. “We have great volunteers and incredible supporters, but fundraising is something we have to do all the time.”
Last year, CCAC found homes for 431 animals, most of them from the county shelter, and transferred 540 animals to other rescues. They had 475 animals spayed or neutered and paid for special vet care for 130 dogs and cats. They also helped pay for vet care for the pets of 40 local citizens who faced financial hardship.
CCAC provides all supplies for the foster parents who care for animals until homes can be found for them, including food, litter, medicines, even towels, blankets and toys.
“We’re blessed to have a lot of people, from individuals to businesses, donate both money and supplies. We’d never be able to do this without them,” says DeBerry. CCAC’s expenses last year ran just under $68,000. The group is an allvolunteer organization, so all funds went to care for animals.
How to help
CCAC will be conducting a number of fundraisers within the next months.
April 22, 8 a.m.-noon: Blue Mountain Yoga in Ringgold is sponsoring a Pet Show & Animal Jam to benefit CCAC. For $20, you can enter your dog to win prizes or just show off. The Gabby was left behind when tenants moved out of a Catoosa County house. She was discovered by the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Department. (Contributed photo)
entry fee includes a yoga class for people, a meditation class for people and their dogs, and a zumba class for people. If you don’t have a dog but would like to participate, the classes are $5 each. More info: call or text 423-488-3283 or email rylanddia2@yahoo. com. Blue Mountain Yoga is located at 24 Millennium Circle, behind Cracker Barrel.
April 29, 8 a.m.-10 a.m.: Pancake breakfast at Applebee’s in Fort Oglethorpe. $5 per person, all proceeds go to CCAC. Applebee’s
is located at 2219 Battlefield Pkwy.
WoofTrax Shoe Drive: Do you have shoes around the house that are gently used or new? CCAC needs to collect at least 2,500 pairs of shoes to qualify for up to $4000 from WoofTrax Shoes for Shelters and Rescues. Donations can be dropped off at K-9 Tub Time on Nashville St. in Ringgold or donors can contact CCAC.
June 3, Dixie Highway Sale: CCAC is now accepting items they can sell at the annual Dixie Highway sale. Items can be dropped off at K-9 Tub Time in Ringgold, or contact CCAC.
CCAC is a 501(c) (3) non-profit, allvolunteer organization dedicated to helping abandoned dogs and cats in Catoosa County find loving homes. Web site: catoosacitizensforanimalcare.org. Facebook: facebook. com/CatoosaCitizensForAnimalCare. Hotline: 706-937-2287.