SJ community paws for animals

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Some animals have never known anything but pampering and love, others come from a world of neglect and maltreatment.

Dogs from both worlds and their owners, foster parents, friends from the shelter some call "home" and potential pet owners, gathered for the base Pet Fair hosted by the Southern Pines Inn on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Sept. 19.

The fair featured adoption booths from Diamonds in the Ruff and the Wayne County Animal Shelter in Goldsboro, educational information, micro chipping, pet paw painting, patriotic pet photos and more.

The one resounding message animal activists stressed throughout the day was the importance of spaying and neutering animals.

"We take in about 500 animals a month and can only adopt-out about 100," said Vicki Falconer, Wayne County Animal Shelter representative.

Several dogs and cats nearing the end of their adoption window at the Wayne County Animal Shelter received a final chance at life through Diamonds in the Ruff, a non-profit canine rescue agency.

Diamonds in the Ruff rescues mainly from the shelter but also takes in strays, said Julie Glover, agency volunteer. "We put them together with a family and try to socialize them for adoption, getting them ready for their forever home."

The agency saved the life of Lucky, a Labrador retriever. When he was taken in Lucky was covered in bites, had two broken teeth, cuts on his neck from an embedded collar, four types of intestinal worms, heart worms, injuries from being hit by a car and needed a blood transfusion. Lucky found a stable home with Staff Sgt. Travis Davis, 4th Civil Engineer Squadron unaccompanied housing manager, who advocates for the adoption of rescued animals.

"I felt it was important to adopt Lucky, to right the evil someone did to him," said Sergeant Davis, who is also a Diamond in the Ruff volunteer.

"Most people don't know that 25 percent of animals in shelters are actually purebreds," he said. In April the Wayne County Animal Shelter took in 265 dogs euthanizing 128 of them and 275 cats euthanizing 181 of them.

The Pet Fair's focus was not only finding homes for sheltered and foster animals.

"We have never been to an event like this before," said Yecenia Cosme, wife of Tech. Sgt. Juan Cosme, 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron load crew chief. The Cosme family helped their dog, Negrita, do a paw painting.

Linda Meza-Romero, 4th Force Support Squadron Southern Pines Inn assistant manager, brought her dog to get micro chipped, her other dog was micro chipped at last year's fair.

A donation of cash or animal food to support local pet food banks paid the jumping castle entrance fee.

The Wayne County Humane Society animal food bank is open the third Sunday of the month from 2 to 3 p.m. at Carolina Mini-Storage and helps people who are struggling to feed their pets, said Sheila Gardner, Wayne Country Humane Society board member.

With all of the various agencies in the area designed to assist animal's welfare, there was no competition for support from Pet Fair patrons.

"Everyone is working together in the animal community," said Lynn Strickland, 4th FSS Southern Pines Inn accountant. "There are a lot of people out there who care."

For more information about Diamonds in the Ruff, visit www.nc-cainerescue.petfinder.com, Wayne County Humane Society, go to www.goldsboro-wchs.org or the Wayne County Animal Shelter in Goldsboro, call (919) 735-7287.