Planned PEThood Blog

Every adoption at Planned PEThood of Georgia is a gift. Knowing that we helped a pet make the journey from lost and alone to found and home. What could be better?

Well, at any given time we have about a dozen special needs pets in our foster homes. And when those pets find their forever homes, the reward is extra sweet. These are the pets that everyone else ignores, avoids, or cannot take into their programs. At Planned PEThood, we believe these pets need us the most. Sadly, their special needs often mean that they won’t find homes very quickly like most pets. For these special pets, its not as simple as finding a home. You have to find the home ready to take on a life-long project. At Planned PEThood of Georgia, we always try to keep open arms for these special needs pets when we can.

Amy D. with one of her foster babies.

Fosters are the unsung heroes of our program, and Amy D. is one of our kitty special needs foster homes. She has saved countless lives and never turns down a kitten in need. Her heart has been broken so many times when one of those special needs kitties can’t turn that corner, and instead she has to say goodbye. But it’s all worth it when she sees the ones that had no hope survive against all odds. They go from cold, lonely, hurting, or surviving horrific injuries, to purring, loving, growing, and healthy kitties.

The last, and often most difficult step for the foster homes is to find their forever home. The last step, sending them off to their forever home, can be both the best feeling and and the most stressful for the foster home. After all, you have spent weeks or months with your furry charge, pouring many hours, vet visits, meds, and love into the healing process. You know they deserve it. You worry whether you have fully prepared your adopter. And ultimately, you let them go with all the love in the world behind them. So, back to the question… What could be better than an adoption at Planned PEThood of Georgia?

That’s right. It’s a special needs adoption at Planned PEThood, and in early January we had not 1, not 2, but 3 special needs adoptions in the same day! Whatever you call it – fate, kismet, or a miracle, our hearts were filled with joy. Read about each of their journeys to adoption.

Adoption #1:

Clover after his reconstructive surgery and then a few months later.

Clover, fostered by Amy D., was in our program for over 400 days, and now he is home. Clover was brought to Planned PEThood of Georgia missing most of the skin off his back and neck. Even the medical staff weren’t sure he was treatable. However, we were able to work with a veterinary partner to provide Clover with a reconstructive surgery. Clover, survived, but the odds seemed stacked against him.

While in recovery, he contracted ringworm. Then during ringworm treatment, he had a bad reaction to the medication and had to be hospitalized for liver failure. Finally he seemed to be the mend again, and then he was diagnosed with yet another serious disease, toxoplasmosis. Finally, after 2 courses of treatment were successful, he could rest.  Finally, he could rest. After months of surgeries and treatments that felt endless, Clover was healed.

Clover and his new mommy.

The entire time, his foster mom Amy never gave up on him. Amy was always there for him and helped him through every treatment and illness. Because of his original injury, Clover ended up with nerve damage which would require a special home. Amy continued to helped him by looking tirelessly into adoption options for him. And now, she has sent him on to his next adventure… 410 days after he arrived, Clover was adopted. Happy Life, Clover!

Adoption #2:

Lt. Dan, also fostered by Amy, was found with his littermates by the local shelter. Lt. Dan was a bit different though… He has no rear paws! Amy did not hesitate and immediately volunteered to foster and brought him into the program. Lt. Dan never let his lack of paws slow him down. And Amy always kept up with him. He had an infection of his nubs early on, a consult with a physical therapist, and so many trials and errors trying to find way to get a young active growing kitten to wear booties!

Lt. Dan and his new parents.

Amy also picked up on subtle signs of a lingering upper respiratory infection. Just in time for adoption, Lt. Dan made a big trip to an outside veterinarian. Thankfully his heart and lungs were normal, but he ended up being diagnosed with kennel cough! After a course of medication he fully recoverd. And now, he has made the last step and went home to an amazing special needs home. Happy Life, Lt. Dan!

Adoption #3:

Crayola enjoying some sun.

Crayola, fostered by Christina, was pulled from a rural shelter just after Thanksgiving with her 11 newborn puppies. Little did we know that Crayola wasn’t going to be easy. Within the first week, Christina found out that Crayola suffered from severe separation anxiety – and she has the damaged bathroom doorway and door to prove it. Christina or her husband had to sleep in the room with Crayola and her puppies every night, and the whole family travelled to work with Christina every day! Once the pups were weaned, Crayola was given anxiety medication that helped a bit, but the foster home’s life was re-arranged in a big way.

Finally, the time came for her puppies to be moved and for Crayola to be spayed. Prepared to keep Crayola for months, Christina went ahead and listed Crayola as available on PetFinder. And within a couple of hours, an insanely perfect application arrived. Instead of months of extra time in the program, Crayola found her home in a day. She went home to a family that has agreed to never leave her alone, to always be there for her, and to love her forever. What more can we ask for? We have already received updates and she is doing very well.

So, today, we ask you to celebrate with us. Celebrate the lives of these three fosters. And join us in saying thank you, not just to these two fosters, but to all of our fosters at Planned PEThood of Georgia. In 2020 our foster homes helped to rescue 1,018 cats and dogs. Isn’t that incredible?

Thank-you for supporting us, so that we can support them. If you want to help animals like Clover, Lt. Dan, and Crayola have a chance at a better and happier life, consider becoming a monthly life saver. Your small gift of $5 or $10 a month will help provide care to animals like these.