Joey was only a few weeks old when her owners took her to a vet; they asked that the tiny Chihuahua born without front legs be euthanized. The vet noted that the puppy was very healthy otherwise, and convinced the couple to let an animal rescue group take over Joey’s care.
Sacramento area resident Ashley Dunleavy stepped up to foster Joey and contacted OrthoPets, a company that designs adaptive devices for pets. The healthy, now 4-month-old Joey comes from small parents and only weighs 1.5 pounds. Dunleavy says that she is “so small that she can’t use just any wheelchair”.
Yesterday Dunleavy learned that the pup was quickly learning how to maneuver the second incarnation of their custom design for her.
The nonprofit Sacramento Area Animal Coalition (SAAC), the Yolo County SPCA, Fox 40, CBS 13 and local animal rescue people assisted in getting Joey’s story out, and helped raise money to get a mobility cart built for the dog. OrthoPets offered to custom-build a device and to foster Joey at their operation in Denver, Colorado until the design worked perfectly for her.
Great news, but how does that translate to helping pet overpopulation?
Dunleavy, a board member for SAAC, wanted a special way to thank the community that had helped Joey get the help, health and love she deserves.
SAAC is one of the country’s largest programs involved in Spay Day USA, providing very low cost spay/neuter services to pets in low-income households. The 2012 Spay Day Sacramento campaign is currently in action; for more information click here.
Dunleavy learned that the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) was co-sponsoring a photo contest that would raise funds for spay/neuter services. The World Spay Day Pet Photo Contest began on February 1,2012.
Dunleavy entered a photograph of tiny Joey; funds raised by her participation would go to SAAC.
This is how you can help pet overpopulation right in your own neighborhood.
Click here to enter votes for Joey; each vote costs $1.00 and all money raised by the votes will go to SAAC. Other local pets are also entered with SAAC as their designated charity; the same voting process helps them earn money for SAAC.
Animals from across the country have their photos entered in the contest; the photograph receiving the most votes will win an additional $5,000 for their charity.
You can vote as many times as you wish until the voting period ends at 2:00 p.m. (PST) on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.