From July 8 – 31 adoption fees were waived for all animals thanks to the Bissell Pet Foundation and their Empty the Shelters promotion. A total of 123 animals found new homes during the event. Below are some happy stories of long time residents and emergency care animals who were adopted during the event.
Larry and Louise • Adopted: July 30
Larry and Louise came to us at the beginning of the year as a bonded pair after their owner, a former SFAS employee, sadly passed away. Knowing how much their previous owner loved them, we were extra determined to find them a home together. It wasn’t going to be easy—they were both overweight, large dogs, and being bonded meant they needed to find a family willing to take them both. But we were up for the challenge. With some tender loving care and a lot of dedication from our team, Larry and Louise started to thrive. And just when we needed it most, a wonderful woman named D’ann came into their lives. She saw beyond their size and recognized the love they had to offer. Thanks to her, Larry and Louise are now happily settled in their new home, together as they were always meant to be.
Words from their adoptor “ Louise and I have some things in common – we’re both older females, we both enjoy treats and we both get hot very easily! When I sit on the swing she seems to think that is her invitation to join me and so she jumps up and lays there with me to get some lovin’. They have had some new experiences since coming here. I live in a rural area and so they have met some of the local animals around her. They have tried to catch their first squirrel – but of course the squirrel outsmarted them and got away. They have chased a couple of large black Ravens and lost that chase as well but they got a lot of exercise and did a lot of barking. Larry and Louise are getting into my daily routine and every morning follow me around from station to station. Louise likes to explore the horse corral but Larry seems to like getting into the cattle corral. They get exercise every day and when the weather cools down I will be outside mucking so they will probably get more exercise. They pretty much stay together – they follow each other around. Louise has to stop and rest sometimes probably her age, weight and arthritis are a factor but she does get around pretty good.”
Hero • Adopted: July 20
Hero arrived at the shelter in March, carrying with him an incredible story of survival. After bravely saving himself and another dog from a wild animal, he came to us badly beaten up. Thanks to our amazing clinic team, you’d never guess that he had undergone surgery on his face—the scars may have faded, but Hero’s courage remained clear as day. As he recovered, Hero showed us just how wonderful he could be with humans, showering everyone with love and affection. But there was one catch: Hero didn’t enjoy the company of other animals. He needed a special home that understood his needs and was okay with them. For months, we searched for the right match, hoping to find someone who could give Hero the life he deserved. Finally, our patience paid off. A great person from Phoenix, Arizona, heard Hero’s story and knew they were meant to be together. This amazing individual drove over seven hours to bring Hero home. Now, Hero is living his best life, loved and cherished just as he always should have been.
Lotus • Adopted: July 10
Lotus, a tiny, 1-year-old puppy who came into the shelter with severe bite wounds. It was clear she was fighting for her life. Luckily, she arrived at SFAS just in time, and our dedicated team immediately put her on the recovery track. Thanks to the care and love she received, Lotus is now on the mend and has a bright future ahead of her! Thanks to Bissell, this brave little pup found her forever home where she can learn how to be a dog again, surrounded by love and patience!
Scooby • Adopted: July 19
Scooby arrived at the Santa Fe Animal Shelter back in February, and despite his friendly nature, he was constantly overlooked. We suspect it might have had something to do with his size, but we’ll never truly know. Still, we were determined to make the most of his time here and teach this old dog some new tricks. With a little patience and a lot of love, Scooby quickly picked up sit, stay, place, and even learned how to shake. He’s a testament to the resilience and potential of every dog, no matter how long they stay with us.
