GALLERY: WSAV viewers share pet rescue stories

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – As part of our annual Clear the Shelters campaign, WSAV shines a light on your animal rescue stories.

WSAV knows how special it can be – from the first day you pick them up at the shelter, to the years they spend growing up with you and your family.

To share your story with WSAV, send a photo of your pet with a brief story to [email protected] Please include “Empty Shelters” in the subject line and let us know your name, your pet’s name and the shelter they were rescued from.

Throughout the campaign, WSAV will share your stories on air and right here online. Take a look at the gallery here.

Carly Glynn is lucky to have Lucky! During her sophomore year of college at GSU, Carly adopted her this sweet dog from the Humane Society for Greater Savannah, knowing she only wanted a rescue animal. Lucky kept Carly company at school, even helping her improve her grades and health. From 2016 to today, the two are inseparable. (submission from Carly’s grandmother, Nancy Robinson)
Shine is up for adoption at Renegade Paws Rescue, but in the meantime she is staying with the Littles family. She is believed to be a mix of Springer, Spaniel and Beagle around 5 months old. “She was brought in as a wanderer and never had a loving home!” Abigale Littles wrote. “She loves toys, walks and cuddles!”
It’s Sadie, who just celebrated National Pooch Day. Her owner, Tina, said she was found on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. She was only 8 weeks old when they brought her home!
Say “hello” to Sandee! He is an alumnus of the Humane Society for Greater Savannah and is now 14 years old. His owner, Annie, says she was watching WSAV’s Perfect Pets in 2006 when she decided to bring him home. “He was the best companion one could ask for!” Anne wrote. “Please adopt your next pet, you won’t regret it!” »
Jill and Jim Murphy have three lovely daughters who are all rescues. Piper, their 4 year old Shihtzu was adopted by Coastal Pet Rescue in Savannah. Penelope, also 4, is a Maltese/Bichon who was found running around the streets of Pennsylvania. Their 8-year-old Phobe is a Maltese who was rescued in Ohio. “They are all a total joy to our family,” the Murphys wrote.
Meet Hunny, who was rescued from a drug store by the Beaufort County Animal Service. She had 8 puppies and was trying hard to take care of them, but Hunny had to be separated due to her health. Her owner said drugs were found in her abdomen, but she was able to recover with the help of Hilton Head Humane. “She has become my best friend during this process and I cannot imagine my life without her. Please clear the shelters, a gem awaits you there,” wrote Laura Tipton, the owner of Hunny.
Jenna Bower, organizer of the local Savannah Trash Warriors litter pick-up group, brought her dog Rowan to their very first pick-up in 2018 when they encountered a huge dog on MLK Boulevard. Bower tried to find a possible owner and eventually took him to Animal Control. After three weeks no one claimed him, so she decided to go back and adopt him. Bower named him Marty after the street he was found on. He now lives with his family of fellow rescues, Rowan and Cincy.
Morning EP Enocha Edenfield of WSAV has two rescue stories to share. Her husband Josh adopted their cat Wymm from the Humane Society of Bay County in Florida to propose to her. Of course, she said yes to Wymm (acronym for “Will You Marry Me?”)! Their puppy Vash the Stampede is the newest in the family. They adopted him from Lovable Paws Rescue in Hardeeville in March. Vash was named after a character from an anime called “Trigun”. Just like its namesake, this pup is a lanky mess with a heart of gold who also loves treats.
Colossus was born at the Liberty County Humane Shelter. Three years ago, Fawn Belthem saw her picture on their Facebook page and fell in love with it! Her other dog Jordi was found by her husband coming out of the woods near Evans Army Airfield. Jordi was in really bad shape and they took him to the vet and found he didn’t have a microchip. The Belthems filed a report with Stray Facility at Ft. Stewart and Liberty Animal Control. When it was not claimed, they chose to keep it! “Now he has a safe house where he can smell the flowers anytime he wants,” Belthem wrote.
Meet Finn! He is the family dog of WSAV digital producer Lauren Wolverton. In December 2017, Lauren’s mother, Carolyn, was browsing Facebook when she saw a photo of Finn, who was at the Humane Society in Valdosta, Georgia. The Wolvertons weren’t looking for a dog, but something about him attracted them. They learned that Finn was so afraid of the shelter that he became aggressive and was about to be euthanized. Luckily, his adoptive mother picked him up before that happened, and the Wolvertons were able to adopt him the next day. “He runs the house now. He has a basket full of toys, walks around every day and scratches his stomach a lot,” Carolyn wrote. “Finn brings us so much joy every day!”
Joe Medina says he and his wife adopted their dogs, Luke and Gage, and cat Graffthat, all at different times. In 2014, they adopted Luke who was found on the streets of Atlanta. Three years later, they got Fraffthat, and the two are best friends. Gage was adopted in 2018 by Palmetto Animal League. A marine family was delivering him because they couldn’t give him the time the pup needed at home. Medinas were told that Gage was relaxed, but they say that is not the case. Luke is an energetic dog who now has a garden to draw his energy from.
Say hello to MoMo! She was saved by WSAV photographer Nolan Helmly and his fiancée. Before going to their house, MoMo passed by three other houses. She was left behind during a severe storm in her previous comment, so now MoMo is afraid of water. But Nolan says she’s a perfect dog who barely barks and likes to snuggle. “The phrase ‘we didn’t save her, she saved us’ couldn’t be truer than with this cuddly dog,” Nolan said.
From an overweight, terrified Chihuahua to an official member of the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office team, Twerp has a rescue story like no other! She was adopted after the sheriff’s office’s Operation New Hope program, where inmates play and train with local shelter dogs to make them more adoptable. Now, Twerp is the program’s unofficial mascot, but she provides support for officers who might need a hug after a hard day at the prison. (submission by Jennifer Messer)
Meet Champ! Three years ago the Jaggers family went looking for a pet and found this guy who has become such an important part of the family. The Jaggers said when they saw him he ran out of the shelter and they knew it was him. Initially, the family was hesitant about Champ because of his heartworms and the resulting cost. But three years later, the Jaggers say he was worth every penny. “He’s our baby. He’s very much loved. (Linda Jaggers submission)