DOG RESCUED Rescued Greyhound Finds Special Forever Home
Reported by: Darrah Wilcox
Videographer: Troy Morgan
Web Producer: Jeff Morris
Reported: Sep. 13, 2012 5:12 PM EDT
Updated: Sep. 14, 2012 9:20 AM EDT
EYEWITNESS ONLINE WEBCAST VIDEO C L I C K T O P L A Y
Kenova
, Wayne County
, West Virginia
Nova the greyhound was near her death when she came into the Cabell-Wayne Animal Shelter in late June after being seized from her owners for neglect.
"One of the first things the vet said is that we needed to consider euthanizing her because she was in such poor condition," shelter volunteer Heather Carver said.
Thanks to the efforts of many, the dog is on her way back to health and headed to a new home.
On Thursday morning, Nova and a few of her pals boarded a special flight to their forever homes in Massachusetts. A greyhound rescue program in the state has been instrumental in organizing the rescue efforts. So has a program called Pilots N' Paws. Volunteer pilots donate their planes, time and fuel to help rescue thousands of animals.
"It's just a labor of love for all of us," volunteer pilot Scott Messinger said. "It's something we're happy to do."
Nova was taken to Proctorville Animal Clinic for treatment. She was about half her normal body weight. But giving up was not an option for these volunteers.
"Nova is just special because the whole community has supported her," Carver said.
About $1,000 in donations poured in after a Facebook campaign rallied support. She gained back the weight and got much stronger over the summer. With all of the support that volunteers have provided, they are giving flight to a new life for a dog who is a proven survivor.
"She has gone from what could have been a broken dog,” Carver said. “She just was resilient and maintained a fighting, positive spirit."
Members of Nova's forever family was waiting at the airport for her to join them in Massachusetts. She also will be the new "spokesdog" for greyhound rescue in the state.
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