Animal care professionals rush to aid emaciated dog
For Immediate Release
Contact: Erin Long, Marketing Coordinator
Humane Society of Harford County
410-836-1090, x106
erin@harfordshelter.org
Fallston, MD (April 12, 2016) – An alert citizen in Edgewood, MD may have unknowingly saved a life by calling Harford County Animal Control about a stray dog in the neighborhood. On the evening of March 30, animal control officers were called to Longwood Court and discovered a poodle mix that was cold, matted over most of her tiny body, soaked in urine, and too weak to walk on her own. The dog was brought to The Humane Society of Harford County (HSHC), given the name “Sunshine” and examined by Dr. Mary Zink, the shelter’s director of veterinary services.
“After a thorough examination, Sunshine’s condition was very poor. She had an abnormal body temperature and I placed her on a heating disc for warmth. Despite being extremely dehydrated and weak, she was eager to eat the warm food we offered her.”
Sunshine was taken to Animal Emergency Hospital in Bel Air, MD for around-the-clock critical care and was placed on IV fluids, antibiotics and a feeding regimen. Initially weighing in at 5 lb. 8 oz., by Tuesday, April 5, Sunshine weighed 7 lb. 1 oz. Animal Emergency Hospital’s diagnosis: emaciation due to neglect.
Sunshine is now back at HSHC, and will be adopted by one of HSHC’s staff. Her emergency medical bills are paid for using monies in the shelter’s Phoenix Fund account, but that account is running dangerously low. Donations to the Phoenix Fund are needed now to pay for costly surgeries, medications and rehabilitation – and to give second chances to critically injured or ill animals like Sunshine. Make an impact and contribute to The Phoenix Fund or mail a check (payable to HSHC) to: The Humane Society of Harford County, Attn: Phoenix Fund, 2208 Connolly Road, Fallston, MD 21047.
About the Humane Society of Harford County
The Humane Society of Harford County, Inc., is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to the welfare and well-being of the approximately 4,500 animals that come to us each year. We promote the kind treatment of homeless, stray and abandoned animals by providing shelter, care, adoptions, and community education. We are not a county agency nor are we affiliated with any national or regional organization. Your tax-deductible donations, bequests, and proceeds from events are crucial to our life-saving efforts on behalf of the animals of our community.