Lucky Penny - Three Legged Stray

Adopted 6.8.09 - Penny was spotted hopping around a residential neighborhood by a good sumaritan who after several days of trying was able to capture her and bring her to Citrus County, FL Animal Services.  After a thorough veterinary inspection, it was determined that she'd survived a likely hit by a car that crushed her left front shoulder and knocked out the teeth on the left side.  Everything has well healed, and there was no evidence of pain, so Penny was ready for a new home.  Penny's luck was about to change as she was broght to the attention of ValuePetSupplies Rescue Advocate, Samantha Carter.  Penny charmed Samantha with her sweet playful personality, so she voluteered to foster Penny at home.  Well now Penny has joined the Carter's pack of rescued Dogs and Cats along with Lucy, Lefty, Mr. Pink, and Lemon. Check out this video of Samantha meeting Penny the lucky 3-legged dog...aww.

Gizmo - Misunderstood Old Sweety

Newly Adopted on 4.29.09, Gizmo was surrendered to our local shelter by his former owners after 5-years with them. They claimed he was 11 years old (no way), and not compatible with humans, cats, or other dogs (wrong). This profile was essentially a death warrant at an overpopulated Kill-Shelter. His days were numbered when he came to the attention of ValuePetSupplies Customer Relations and Rescue Advocate, Samantha Carter. Luckily for Gizmo, Samantha's sister-in-law, Terry Carter, was in town and was looking for an older dog to be a companion for her elderly chihuahua-terrier mix, Moxie. After a week of fostering with Nick, Sam, Lefty, Lucy and three cats Junior, JJ, and Mr. Pink - Gizmo was found to be a real sweetheart that did enjoy chasing cats a bit, but was otherwise a well behaved member of the pack. Nick buzzed his nails for what must have been the first time in his life. At first he howled like a kid getting his first haircut, but by the end he was relaxed and happy. Gizmo is on his way to Vermont to meet Moxie and settle into his new life of being spoiled rotten. We'll miss you Giz!

Mr. Pink - Three Time Looser

Adopted in 2008, this amazing cat started his strange journey as a stray kitten who was brought to the Inverness County Florida Shelter. His first adoption ended by him ending up in an rescue officers trap, so back to the shelter he went and his owner didn't want to pay the fees to reclaim him. His second adoption lasted three days because the family said he didn't get along with the family dog. So back at the shelter his days were numbered. Everyone at the shelter loved him, but his failed adoptions weighed against him. Shelter staff notified ValuePetSupplies Rescue Advocate, Samantha Carter, about "this amazing pink cat" so naturally she had to check him out. Mr. Pink now has a perfect life with Samantha and Nick roaming the orange grove in their back yard. He is one cool cat who thinks he can fly and fears nothing as you can see by his picture where he's nested on a very active honey bee hive in the grove. Another amazing rescue pet!

Rascal - A Gentle Giant

Rascal was a sickly stray, with infections and pneumonia; his paws were burnt from time spent walking on hot pavement. He was at the shelter for 3 months before he was well enough to be considered for adoption. In the mean time, the animal shelter staff picked up on his sweet and gentle nature. Samantha made it her mission to find the right home for him. She posted his picture on a shepherd rescue website and he quickly found his perfect family with a female companion shepherd (they are best buddies) and loving owners. Rascal was adopted in July 2008 and we regularly get email updates about his new fabulous life. Check out this slideshow of Rascal and his new Family.

Julia - A Sweet Shy Girl

Julia is the sweetest dog we've ever met. She was a stray living in a neighborhood of foreclosed homes, no doubt a victim of the economic conditions that cause many such abandonments. She was so shy that it took weeks for the animal control officer to gain her trust. In spite of her sweet personality, the local shelter is forced to euthanize pets if they aren't adopted quickly. She was days from being put down when Nick & Samantha committed to foster her until a permanent home could be found. With the invaluable assistance & experience of the Humane Society of Citrus County, she was adopted in February 2009 by a great family with young children who are just crazy about her.

Porter - Abandoned Boarder Collie

Porter is a prime example that even pure breeds can be found at animal shelters. Brought in as a stray, this beautiful border collie was never claimed by his owner, despite extensive efforts by the person who found him, to find his original home. With the help of a Border Collie Rescue organization, he was brought to the attention of a family that was looking for the right BC for their teen-age daughter, whose goal was to practice agility training. Porter's family traveled 2 hours, both ways, in order to meet and "assess" him and in June of 2008 adopted him. Porter now enjoys a solid family that keeps him busy...and that's just the way he likes it.

Buster - Casualty of War

Buster was surrendered to an animal shelter when his owner was deployed overseas for the military. Given the many other dogs & puppies at the shelter, Buster was repeatedly overlooked for adoption and ended up being there almost a month when Samantha decided he was too nice a dog to see put down. Appearing to be a young mix of Boston Terrier & Italian Greyhound she reached out to Italian Greyhound Rescue (a bit of a stretch....but he had the body type exactly). With the help of this Rescue (and their extensive state-wide network), Buster was adopted into a family in August 2008 within a matter of a week.

Eli - A Stray Shepherd

Eli was a wreck when he entered the shelter as a stray in January 2009. He was so nervous that he had to be carried out of the kennels for a walk (and at 60lbs thats no easy task). With the help of caring staff & volunteers, Eli came out of his shell, and his true loving personality became apparent. Unfortunately, due to his size he was being overlooked by many people. When it came to our attention that he'd been at the shelter over a month, and Shepherd Rescue could not help due to full capacity, outreach started in earnest. Through Samantha's network of contact's (& a lot of luck), Eli was brought to the attention of a wildlife rehabilitator who'd recently lost her male shepherd. It was fate. Eli is now sharing his life with a female shepherd, a cat & 2 gopher tortoises.