Calls, Emails, Inquires, Donations, and Offers Pour in from Across the Globe for Formerly Mistreated Pup…
Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (Jan. 12, 2021) – Yesterday morning, Helen Woodward Animal Center released the story of a 3-year-old Lab/Shepherd mix whose former owners had removed his eyes instead of treating an eye infection and then relinquished him. Within one day, Louis’ journey has touched the hearts of animal-lovers across the globe who have been calling, emailing, donating, filling out adoption applications and offering services to help Louis adapt to his new life. In the midst of a truly polarizing and stress-inducing week in our country, people everywhere are coming together for Louis. The Center is incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love. Louis goes available for adoption TOMORROW, Wednesday, January 13th.
Louis’s story is a truly devastating one but, unfortunately, not one uncommon in the world of animal welfare. The hundreds of calls and emails coming into the Center from across the country are full of heartbreak and anger, and questions about prosecution of the former owners. As with the majority of animals that end up in facilities and shelters across the country, there is no way to access his past history and with Louis unable to communicate, it is impossible to put all the pieces together. Medical checks, however, reveal a broken leg that was not treated, and formerly, severely infected eyes that were eventually removed. Louis’ leg has received surgery and he is adapting to a life without sight, but both conditions reveal a past life of neglect and extreme mistreatment.
If there is a light at the end of Louis’ dark tunnel, it is the overwhelming love that has been pouring into Helen Woodward Animal Center via emails, phone calls, donations, and applications. The donations that came in overnight in honor of Louis hit close to $12,000 by business open. The Los Angeles Chargers reached out, requesting to share Louis’ story and bring him more attention. Offers to sponsor his adoption, to sponsor his food, to sponsor muffin halos/bumper-collars/sonar-collars, to pay for his medical care, and more, are coming from across the country. The Beloved Foundation, in Greenville, South Carolina, has offered to cover a portion of Louis’ aftercare. Social media shares and emails filled with loving messages include people from states as far away as Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Washington D.C., New York, Texas, Montana, Kentucky, Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina and from countries as far away as Spain, Panama, The Netherlands, Chile and Canada.
Helen Woodward Animal Center adoptions staff say that over 160 calls came in for Louis overnight from over 32 different states including Hawaii and Alaska. Inquiries to adopt also include calls from Canada and Mexico. Ultimately, however, Helen Woodward Animal Center is seeking a local adopter to reduce the stress of Louis’ transition into his new home, and so that the Center can provide his new family in-home training, for a special needs pup, by Center Trainer, Rob Kuty of San Diego Pet Training.
“We are amazed and so touched by the response and the donations,” stated Helen Woodward Animal Center VP of Development Renee Resko. “Louis is just one of many animals we’ve seen neglected and mistreated and each one breaks our hearts. The fact that Louis’ story is getting so much attention means that more people will see the necessity of proper pet medical care and the responsibility pet-owners take on when they bring home a furry family member.”
REQUIREMENTS TO ADOPT LOUIS INCLUDE:
- Local adopter
- One story home
- Fenced yard
- Patience and love
- Snuggler
SPECIAL PREFERENCES FOR LOUIS INCLUDE:
- A gentle dog sibling
- An adopter with at least one family member who works from home
Louis will be available for adoption TOMORROW, on Wednesday, January 13th. To adopt Louis or for more information on Helen Woodward Animal Center, please fill out an application on www.animalcenter.org, or call 858-756-4117.