Bailey at the shelter this summer.
It begins with that sinking feeling – the moment that you realize your beloved pet is missing. Where could they be? Who can you turn to for help?
Many people turn to the Lycoming County SPCA, and supporters ensure that help is there when lost pets and their owners need it. So far in 2018, 239 lost pets have been reunited with their owners through the help of the SPCA. What a fantastic service to the residents of Lycoming County. We cannot thank our supporters enough for providing these pets a warm and safe place to stay as they wait.
What happens, though, when the photos have been posted online, the microchip is missing or leads to a dead end, and no one comes to claim the pet? After a 72-hour quarantine period, the pet is temperament tested, spayed or neutered (if necessary), and placed on the floor for adoption. Weeks may pass, or months. The pet may land a fantastic new forever home, or still be patiently waiting at the SPCA. Is all hope of a reunification lost? It would seem so, but every once in a blue moon, a stroke of coincidence happens and leads to a beautiful happily ever after.
Meet Bailey, our latest in the happily-ever-after stories. Bailey came in this past June when her owner surrendered her. She had owned the three-year-old female pitbull-mastiff-mix for about six months and had to surrender her due to landlord issues. After a week of initial evaluation, Bailey was placed on the adoption floor. Months came and went, and Bailey remained at the shelter, happy and hopeful, waiting for her forever family.
More than twenty miles away, Bailey’s original owner was still mourning the loss of her pet. It had been about a year since Bailey had become lost, and sad as she was, Bailey’s owner decided that perhaps she would look for another pet. Her search led her to the website of the Lycoming County SPCA, where she was astounded to see, of all things, Bailey’s smiling face looking back at her.
In haste, she contacted the SPCA and drove to visit Bailey. Was it really the same dog, or just a look-alike? It took just a few moments to decide that Bailey was indeed her Bailey and that the lost dog was going to finally come home. What a beautiful reunification! Bailey is now thankfully settled back into her beloved home, just in time for the holidays.
As this year’s #GivingTuesday approaches, please consider giving so that pets like Bailey get a chance at their own happily-ever-after ending!
Read more #GivingTuesday animal stories
—
If you were to guess, how many animals would you say were turned in as lost or stray in one week at the Lycoming County SPCA? One? Five?
Just this week, fifteen lost pets have come in through the doors: eleven cats and four dogs.
Comments are closed