Author: coraldrake

Quarantine is an unfortunately common part of life for my local shelter. Ever since I became involved there have been quarantines, some brief and some long. During quarantines, animal shelters separate populations of dogs by creating physical barriers and making sure that staff and volunteers don’t spread disease between populations. Sometimes the quarantine is created … Continue reading Animal Shelter Quarantine: A Desperate Situation

***Trigger warning**** Not all shelter dogs are saved. Malone was one of the first dogs I knew well at my local shelter. I spent many days with him and I think that I might have known him better than anybody. He was a good boy, and he didn't deserve to die. However, his death wasn't … Continue reading Malone, I’m sorry.

The volunteers and dedicated staff of Alachua County Animal Services save the lives of dogs every day. They do this by marketing individual dogs on social media and in the community, by playing with and training dogs so that they are more adoptable, and by fostering dogs to make room at Animal Services for incoming … Continue reading Save Rescue Plea Dogs

Kate's forever family was as happy to find her as she was to go home with them. I knew Kate for almost a year before she was adopted. It was a rough year for her. Her family gave her up relunctantly. They wanted to come back for her, and almost did the next day, but … Continue reading Kate: A Loyal Dog with Terrible Kennel Presence

Shelter dog euthanasia is a serious problem throughout America. This is how I helped to save a pitbull mix named Wade from being one of the thousands of dogs euthanized in shelters this year.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving I worked off the turkey by taking Kasen out for a walk and short jog. Kasen is an adorable young dog with Alachua County Animal Services. He was a wonderful walking and jogging companion and got lots of attention even though the office with the “Adopt Me” vests was locked so … Continue reading Shelter Dog Kasen’s Dog Day Out

Kate is one of those dogs whose continued presence at the shelter just confounds me. This young lady was perfectly-behaved with people of all ages and other dogs too. She was lovely from the moment that she was brought out from the kennel at Alachua County Animal Services. She greeted me sweetly and calmly and … Continue reading Shelter dog Kate’s Dog Day Out

Do you have an hour or an afternoon to spare? Consider volunteering at the shelter. Volunteer orientation is quick and easy. Once you know the ropes, you can show up anytime the shelter is open, grab a key, and take some dogs out for much-needed time in the yard. Volunteer Facebook group Once you are … Continue reading Volunteer at the Animal Shelter

The shelter can get to be a bit much for even the most mellow dog. Sleepovers give dogs a break from the shelter environment. Sleepovers are a great opportunity for people who aren’t sure about fostering to try it out. If you are too busy to foster a dog during the week but would love … Continue reading Overnight visits for shelter dogs

If you want to get more involved in helping rescue dogs, but you don’t want to spend a lot of time at the shelter or foster a dog overnight, dog day outs are a perfect way to make a huge difference with a little effort.  Kasen is a very cute puppy who had a great … Continue reading Take a Shelter Dog Out for the Day