ATHENS —
A few months ago, Dakota the dog was thrown from a car by his owner, seriously injuring his leg.
Today — through the help of the local Teton Transfer Fund — the 6-month-old Labrador mix now has a chance at a better life.
When Dakota was found injured, he was brought to The Dog Pound in Athens, which handles Athens’ and Limestone County’s lost and unwanted pets. There, Dr. Robert Pitman, who the city and county pay to provide medical services for shelter animals, performed surgery on the dog, said Pricilla Blenkinsopp, director of The Dog Pound.
Dakota stayed at the shelter until he recovered and then was rescued by Eleventh Hour Rescue New York, a non-profit shelter that rescues dogs when they are scheduled to be euthanized by a shelter that can no longer care for them.
Money donated to the local Teton Fund paid for the dog’s transportation to Eleventh Hour, which provides medical attention, a place to live and, through its adoption service, a second chance at a happy and fulfilled life. The Teton Fund, established by Athens resident Mary Faulkner in memory of her dog named Teton, has also helped saved many other local dogs, among the recently helped are:
• Autumn, a medium brown and tan dog, who went to her new home in Pennsylvania;
• Molly, a large white dog who was saved by Eleventh Hour and immediately adopted;
• Jeffery Daniels, a large black and white dog who was saved by Eleventh Hour and has been adopted;
• Reba, a small Beagle who came into the shelter and was adopted locally.
“We can save the lives of many wonderful pets at The Dog Pound, where they face euthanasia if not adopted, by giving to the Teton Transport Fund. Instead of many innocent pets being destroyed because The Dog Pound is greatly overpopulated, they will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated and relocated to communities over the United States that need and want them and can find excellent, forever homes.”
Donations to Teton are tax deductible. Donations to The Dog Pound are also now tax deductible, because the shelter recently obtained 501-3-C status, Blenkinsopp said.
In Dakota’s case, he began to grow after being rescued, said volunteer Suzanne Carter.
“Due to injuries that he sustained, his body outgrew his leg,” she said. “He had surgery to remove his injured leg. He is doing well and we hope he will continue to improve.”
Faulkner would like any kind of donation to the fund but she would especially appreciate regular donations, which enable the workers to plan for and transport the animals.
“The Teton Fund is the best way to give these loving animals their last chance, their home,” she said.
To donate, send contributions to: The Teton Transport Fund, P.O. Box 842, Athens AL 35612.
Local News
Related Photos
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Autumn, left, once a resident of The Dog Pound in Athens, recently found a permanent home and a new buddy in Pennsylvania with help from a local transportation fund. The Teton Transport Fund saves local pets that might otherwise be euthanized by paying to fix, vaccinate and transport the dogs to places where they are wanted. However, the fund could use more donors to continue its work in Athens and Limestone County. Courtesy photo
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Dakota the dog was injured when his owner apparently threw him from a car. The local dog was treated at The Dog Pound in Athens, rescued by a New York shelter with help from the local Teton Transport Fund and is now up for adoption. Courtesy photo
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Reba the Beagle found a home locally.
Discussion
Teton Fund needs help saving local dogs
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