Contact Information: For more info. please contact: Pat Kramer (818) 353-5699
LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - February 10, 2010) - "Toto," a 7-year old Chihuahua/Schipperke
mix, spent his life tied up in a locked garage before a neighbor alerted
L.A. City Animal Control. He then spent another five months sharing a
kennel with three other dogs at the West Valley Animal Shelter before a
concerned dog lover noticed him and initiated a massive media campaign to
find this dog a home.
Writer For Hire owner Pat
Kramer spotted the 14-pound Chihuahua mix with the 'huge eyes' last
November while visiting the Shelter to adopt another dog. At that time,
"Toto" was on the shelter's 'Green List,' one step away from being
euthanized. Due to being kept in the dark for so many years, his little
eyes bulged from exposure to sunlight. But according to the Shelter's
staff, he was one of the sweetest, most loved dogs there.
Pat recalls, "With the number
of dogs needing a home, I was afraid he might get 'put down' before I could
help him."
When she returned to adopt him a few weeks later, Toto was very ill from
the crowded conditions at the shelter and was not expected to survive.
However, he did, and on January 5th, Pat began fostering him at her home
until a permanent home could be found. "I was intent on seeing this
through," she says, "no matter how inconvenient it might be."
To help her along, the animal shelter donated a carrying crate. Local
animal rescue foundation, New Leash on
Life, also pitched in, donating a sleeping crate for Toto. To help
socialize him, Jami, a local animal trainer, began teaching him basic
social skills.
Over the next few weeks, Toto's photo and story were posted by on Facebook,
Craigs List, and animal rescue sites: New Leash on Life, Second Acts Foundation and
Pet
Adoption Fund with Animal Control Officer Gabi Hartel and Mae Ross of 321 Talent Showcase
helping with the postings. Through these efforts, thousands of people were
acquainted with Toto's plight and on January 26th, a local family adopted
him.
Today, as a result of many people working together, Toto is now a 'pet' for
the first time in his life. No longer tied up or left alone, he has a
family to love.
Says Pat, "In the process of helping this little guy, I became aware of the
many wonderful people out there who give of their time to rescue unwanted
pets. These people are real 'saints' for what they do!"
She adds, "If people can donate even a small amount, it will help. For
those who can adopt, please do so now. It's so critical that these animals
get some help. The love you get back will more than compensate for your
costs -- and as we know-- no act of kindness goes unpaid, especially as it
relates to animals."
Pat Kramer, a freelance writer living in Los Angeles, is the founder of
Writer For Hire and a proponent of animal rescue work and charities
supporting humane treatment of animals.
