News release from Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control:
Animal Care & Control to hold 28th Annual Walk for Animals Presented by Petco Foundation
(October 2, 2015) – With pet owners in tow, dogs everywhere are invited to take a 1.5-mile walk through Headwater’s Park West – Rothschild Pavilion as part of *Petco Foundation Presents* – 28th annual Walk for Animals to help fight animal neglect and cruelty through education and community outreach. This year’s event, will be held on Sunday, October 11. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m., walk begins at 1p.m. Pledge forms are available at Animal Care & Control and local veterinary hospitals. You can also register electronically at www.fwacc.org or at the Walk on October 11th . Registration fees or donations can be submitted at the Walk. All participants win a shirt based on donations raised, enjoy good friends and sample vendor products.
- $35 minimum pledge requirement per adult or child, or
- $120 minimum pledge per family from one household.
We are excited once again to welcome WANE-TV’s Gina Glaros to MC this year’s Walk. In addition, six fantastic prize packages are awarded based on dollar amounts raised and turned in on October 11th. Clubs and businesses with four or more people can form a Dog Pack and get a keepsake photo of their group at the event!
The 2015 Walk for Animals is dedicated to Rudy who will be in attendance at the walk with his new owner. Rudy arrived at the shelter and was adopted only to find he had an inoperable heart condition (see story attached). Rudy was fostered, loved and eventually adopted by an Animal Care & Control Volunteer who gave Rudy his forever family. Although we do not know what Rudy’s future holds we do know that for whatever time he may have left, he is loved.
Rudy represents one of the thousands of adoptable pets we receive at Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control each year. Rudy is one of the many, whose life was made possible because of hope, and because of people like you.
About Petco Foundation
*The mission of the Petco Foundation is to raise the quality of life for pets and people who love and need them. We believe that raising the quality of life for pets requires creating lifesaving communities nationwide. As one of the nation’s largest funders of animal welfare causes, the Petco Foundation holds a responsibility and obligation to invest funds wisely in organizations that achieve their mission and vision.
Rudy’s story
Every year we dedicate our Walk to a special animal who represents the many that enter our shelter doors each year. This year, a very special dog, with a memorable start represents what can happen when a community of shelter staff and volunteers work together to save lives.
Often we are faced with incredibly unique circumstances. On April first a small puppy arrived at our facility. He was a playful, rambunctious terrier mix that was full of joy and made everyone smile! His adopter took him for his donated health exam and they discovered a high pitch Grade III or IV heart murmur. The veterinarian suspected a congenital defect. Faced with this diagnosis, Rudy was returned to us.
We don’t give up easily on the animals in our care so we made the decision to send Rudy to Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. It was determined by the veterinary staff that Rudy had a heart condition that was inoperable. At only 2 months old, Rudy’s chance for a full happy life looked bleak, he had already lived in two homes AND our shelter.
We decided that it was not up to us whether Rudy should live out a full, happy life with whatever time he had left. Despite his condition, we decided to place Rudy up for adoption. The home we sought had to have the financial means to support his maintenance veterinary care and medications. Neither of which we could estimate for his future, knowing his condition may only worsen with time.
We understood that Rudy could be perceived as a ‘hospice’ puppy. We also knew that it could be heart-wrenching for a family to take on this burden not knowing what Rudy’s future held. The one thing we knew for certain was that right then, Rudy was a ‘normal’, playful, rambunctious puppy who deserved a chance to LIVE.
Finally, on the 12th of May, Rudy found his loving, forever home in the lives of an amazing family that has served for many years as FWACC volunteers. Placing this pup we had all come to love in the arms and care of these special people comforted us as we said our goodbyes, knowing that we’d get to see him again! This wonderful family has given Rudy everything we had hoped for and more. When asked if Rudy could be our representative dog this year, Rudy’s family not only said YES, but wanted to add: “Rudy has given us more than we have given him…”
Rudy represents one of the thousands of adoptable pets we receive at Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control each year. Rudy is one of the many, whose life was made possible because of hope, and because of people like you.
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