Southport Magazine

For every pet owner, the bond between human and animal is strong. Despite the language barrier, we and our pets are able to communicate just through the tilt of a head and the perking of ears, or through a soft mew and a warm purr. We understand one another. After a long day, nothing welcomes us home better than the sight of an animal who has missed our companionship.

Through the dedication of shelters and organizations all across the country, America has made great steps toward ending animal overpopulation and homelessness. Since 1970, the number of dogs and cats in homes has increased by about 1 billion animals, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Meanwhile, the number of dogs and cats euthanized annually has decreased from an estimated 20 million to 3 million.

While the statistics are showing positive signs of growth, one must ask: If 2.7 million shelter animals are not being adopted each year, why is it that only about 30 percent of America’s pets come from shelters and rescues?

Certain breeds are desirable, of course, but many can be found through such rescue groups. My college roommate even adopted a purebred Papillon from New Hanover County’s Animal Control. The pup’s owner was evicted and she had to give up the dog; my friend was able to bring him to a safe and happy home. With all the reasons dogs, cats, and other animals become homeless—one only has to do a little search to rescue a new friend (at a much better price than buying from a breeder, I might add).

If you cannot provide a home to an animal, please consider fostering one. Even a short slumber party at one person’s home can save a pet from being unnecessarily put to sleep.

If fostering is not an option, I hope that you may donate—be it money, food, or supplies—or volunteer with one of the following organizations. Many of these not only run adoptions but also spay and neuter strays to prevent further population increase amongst homeless animals. Everything adds up, and everything helps.

Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office
Animal Protective Services
• Physical Address: 429 Green Swamp Rd.
Supply, NC 28462
• Mailing Address: PO Box 92
Supply, NC 28462
(910) 754-8204
www.aps.brunswicksheriff.com
In July 2012, Sheriff Ingram took over leadership of the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Animal Protective Services. We are committed to protecting the safety of citizens and animals within our community. Our goals are to create community partnerships to promote responsible pet ownership, decrease the overpopulation of domestic pets through spay-neuter programs and education, and to find every adoptable dog or cat a perfect, loving home. We hold off-site adoption fairs throughout Brunswick County several times a week—be sure to check our Facebook page (Brunswick Sheriff’s Animal Adoption Page) for information on our events and adoptable animals!

Adopting at our shelter on Green Swamp Road Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Fridays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Cat Tails Cat Adoption Service
6622 Beach Dr.
Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469
(910) 253-1375 • www.cattails.org
We are a no-kill facility for kittens and cats. Our kittens have age-appropriate vaccinations, FIV-FeLV-testing, and spay/neuter surgery before being offered for adoption.

Adopting at the facility on Wed. from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and on Sat. and Sun. from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Adopting at PetSmart in Wilmington on Fri. from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sat. from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Paws Place
3701 E. Boiling Spring Rd.
Winnabow, NC 28479
(910) 845-7297 • www.pawsplace.org
We are a privately run, non-profit, no-kill dog rescue facility located on five acres of land in Boiling Spring Lakes. We were founded in 1999 by Nancy Janovetz. We offer refuge to the abused, neglected and abandoned dogs in our community. We are also a retirement facility for those that, for one reason or another, do not find that special home. Most of all, we are dedicated to finding dogs a loving home, no matter how long it takes—one life at a time. We are currently home to 30 dogs; five are “retired.”

Adopting on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The first and third Saturdays of each month, the “meet-and-greets” are held at Four Legs Good in Southport. The second and fourth Saturdays, they are held at Unleashed of Wilmington in the Landfall Shopping Center.

Southport/Oak Island Animal
Rescue (SOAR)
3376 St. Charles Pl., Southport, NC 28461
(910) 457-6340 • www.soar-nc.org
SOAR is a non-profit, no-kill animal rescue providing safe shelter, medical treatment, healthy food, daily care and lots of love to lost and abandoned dogs and cats. Our goal is to give these animals everything they need to have a 2nd chance in life and find their “furr-ever” home. SOAR functions solely on the monetary donations of our gracious sponsors, as well as the time and efforts of our dedicated and faithful volunteers. We are always looking for new volunteers so please call or come by for volunteer information!

Adopting at the facility on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and during the week by appointment (M-F, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. only).

R.A.C.E: Rescue Animals
Community Effort
PO Box 3370, Shallotte, NC 28459
(910) 547-2839 • www.raceshelter.org
We rescue dogs, cats, birds, and small animals in any breed. nimal behaviorists and groomers have joined along with R.A.C.E. to rehabilitate pets in need so they will be healthy, adoptable animals. Adopting on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; locations are listed every week on our website.

Adopt-an-Angel
PO Box 15095, Wilmington, NC 28408
(910) 392-0557 • www.adoptanangel.net
Adopting at Petco in Wilmington every Sat. and Sun. from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cats and kittens at Petco, Pet Supermarket in Wilmington or at PetSense in Shallotte daily.

ADOPTABLE PETS

GABBY is a beautiful, 5-month-old white cat, available at Cat Tails. She is a little shy at first, but as soon as you get your hands on her, she’s all purrs.

JOLENE is a 7-month-old, long-haired pastel torti from Cat Tails. She used to be afraid but has decided that people are her friends and now she loves the attention!

Hello! I’m BABY KITTY from Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office APS, a 4-year-old neutered Maine Coon kitty. In case you didn’t guess by the name, I enjoy being pampered and spending lazy afternoons basking in the sun or snuggling on the couch. I would love to join a family who will love (and hopefully spoil) me, so please come spend some quality time with me to see if I’m the kitty for you! #A068993

Hi! I’m RUBY from Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office APS, and I’m a female Walker hound mix, just over a year-and-a-half old. I’m such a friendly gal! My wish is to be the best sidekick ever—whether that’s joining you for a hike in the woods, a stroll on the beach, or an afternoon nap on the couch! I’ve got so much love and loyalty waiting to be shared with a great family! #A068279

BABY BEAR: SOAR is looking for a foster home for this precious, but extremely scared Shepherd mix. Baby Bear is approx. 1-year-old and 27-30 lbs. Though she LOVES and trusts other animals – she is petrified of people. It will take a special person to foster and work with her. She needs someone with lots of patience and needs to be fostered with another dog(s). We will provide all the info that we have on her. Please call SOAR for more information!

BETTY and her twin sister, Sue, came to SOAR almost a year ago when they were left outside a vet’s office, along with their kittens. Luckily we had room to take them all in. Over the past year, all the kittens were adopted and so was Sue. That just leaves Betty—who is a little sad without any of her family. Betty is a beautiful, sweet tiger, about 2-years-old. She lives in the open cat room with other cats so she would be fine if you already have a feline at home. She just wants a place to call her own. All of our cats are spayed/neutered and up to date on all shots.

BELLE: I am so happy that a PAWS PLACE volunteer found me. I don’t know how much longer I could have survived on my own. I was starving and had a raging infection in my mouth due to broken teeth and gum disease. So since my arrival, I had a total check up. It was determined that I needed to have surgery on my mouth to help get rid of the infection. Two surgeries later, I’m a happy camper and have gained 10 lbs.! In spite of all that I’ve been through, I love the fact that I am being taken care of and that people love me. I haven’t stopped wagging my tail since I got here. Because of my prior surgeries, we waited to have me spayed. By the time you read this, I will be ready for adoption. They also said that I am HW positive. I have already started the protocol to treat it. I love to run and I would need a family that would be willing to get me lots of exercise. Come on out to visit me, please!

I (HELEN) ran away from my neglectful owner and had been out on my own for quite a while. A very nice couple found me and took me home and started tending to my eyes that seemed infected. But they saw that I needed more help, so they took me to PAWS PLACE. Shortly afterward my “owner” came looking for me and he brought my sister with him. Ms. Nancy saw that we both needed help and was able to convince him to surrender us to Paws Place. We have been taken to an eye specialist who determined that we were sprayed in the eyes with some type of chemical. No one knows if it was deliberate or not. The good news is that we started getting treatment not long after it happened and things are looking pretty good (literally). Keller’s eyes were more damaged than mine, but the vet thinks he can get a good part of her sight back. Isn’t that great? We are so happy to be getting so much TLC and food and medical care! Keller and I are small beagles, about 18 lbs., and around 3-years-old. We’ve already had our shots and are HW negative, and also spayed. We are ready to go to a real home, where we will be loved. We would love to be adopted together—would you like two little love bugs?

ROXIE is an 8- to 10-year-old beagle at RACE. She is great with other dogs, children, is housebroken and very friendly. She is very social and is not a hyper dog at all. She will make someone a great companion.