Dogs hounded by hurricane need new homes

October 6, 2005

BY MARY LENDZION
COMMUNITY FREE PRESS

Volunteers from Michigan have made three trips to rescue animals from the flooded, mosquito-infested areas affected by Hurricane Katrina.

They found pets in abandoned homes, on the streets and even tied to backyard posts. All of the animals were hungry, thirsty and afraid, and many of them had heartworm, which can be deadly to the pets.

The Michigan Animal Adoption Network and Michigan Animal Rescue League volunteers brought the rescued pets to Michigan. Veterinarians checked the animals out, gave them shots and nursed them back to health. The next step: finding new homes.

Guardian Angel Animal Rescue is fostering some of the dogs. The adoptable pets are in cities such as Plymouth, Canton, Livonia and Westland.

"This is heartbreaking," said Denise Eichburg of Shelby Township, a volunteer with Guardian Angel. "These are beautiful dogs, and it's heartbreaking to see them with heartworm because it's so hard on them, and they have gone through so much already.

"We have the responsibility to make sure these pets go to the best home possible," said Eichburg. "We owe that to them because of what they have been through."

Here's a look at some of the dogs ready for adoption:

•Daisy, a beagle, is about 4, and Maizy, also a beagle, is about 8. Volunteers say the dogs were in an abusive home environment before their rescue. Their previous owners kept them in a box, and the dogs lost teeth while trying to chew their way out. When Maizy was picked up by Sandy Mezza of Westland, president of Guardian Angel, the dog clung to her as though she had never known love or affection, Eichburg said.

"They're very attached to each other," said Eichburg. "We want them to go to a home together."

•Blue is a male Great Dane-and-mastiff mix. He is about 6 months old, is very sweet, and will grow to be very big. "Blue is a very energetic and healthy boy," said Eichburg. "He just needs to put a little meat on his bones, and he needs someone familiar with big breeds. He's very sweet, and even gently went up to a baby in a baby carrier during an adoption event."

•Effie, a black Labrador retriever mix, is about 2. Volunteers say she is sweet and playful. "She's got the loving nature of a Lab, and she would do well with an active person or a family with children," said Eichburg.

•Valentine, a female vizsla-and-shepherd mix, is about 3. "She is shy, and we think she was mistreated, because she shows classic signs of abuse," said Eichburg. "She is very sweet and gentle, and once she gets comfortable, she opens up."

Adoptable pets from Guardian Angel may be visited during store hours at the PetSmart at Ford Road and Haggerty in Canton. Rescue group volunteers are with the pets noon-3 p.m. Saturdays.

For more information, call 734-332-9459 anytime or visit www.gaar.petfinder.com. Donations for the rescue group may be mailed to Guardian Angel, P.O. Box 511309, Livonia 48151.