FKSPCA:  RESCUE TAILS / “PIPER & PEPPER”

BY TAMMY FOX-ROYER
Executive Director Florida Keys SPCA

For all of us with pets, it doesn’t really matter whether they are purebred or mixed breed – we love them all the same.

But sometimes people have an affinity for a certain breed and think they need to go to a breeder to get what they want.  That is not necessarily the case! The Florida Keys SPCA is no stranger to purebred dogs being surrendered for adoption.

Take the case of Piper and Pepper.  These two 13-month old sisters were surrendered to our Marathon Campus when their owner simply didn’t have the time for them anymore. We knew from the first moment we saw them that these were special girls.

Piper was completely hairless — and hairless because she was supposed to be! Her owner didn’t know that Piper was an American Hairless Terrier, a rare breed that is a variant of the rat terrier. Her sister Pepper was also an American Hairless Terrier with a coat, common in hairless litters. Recently recognized as an official breed in 2004, it is the only hairless dog breed that originated in the United States.

Of course, we posted photos of Piper and Pepper on our website and Facebook page and the news reached Bethany in Pennsylvania.  Bethany is an avid lover and advocate of hairless animals. At home she has several hairless pets including a cat, a rat and a pig! When Bethany found out about Piper, she booked a flight and flew all the way down to the Keys to adopt Piper from our Marathon Campus! Pepper, too, has found a wonderful forever home.

If you’re looking for a specific breed, before you go to a breeder, stop by the shelter in Key West or Marathon or contact me at [email protected].   We’ve had American Hairless Terriers to Whippets and everything in between come through our doors! You might just find what you’re looking for.

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