FKSPCA: RESCUE TAILS / “NINA”

BY TAMMY FOX-ROYER
Executive Director Florida Keys SPCA

With Hurricane Irma looming over the Florida Keys, the FKSPCA evacuated over 200 animals from our shelters in Key West and Marathon: 132 cats, 32 dogs, 23 rabbits, 12 turtles, 5 iguanas, a chicken and a parakeet. All were placed in foster homes.

I’m excited to report that over 40% of these animals were adopted – either by the foster families that took them in or friends they met during their journeys. This is the story of one such lucky dog.

“Nina” is a four-year old female American Staffordshire Terrier who was fostered by two terrific volunteers, Steven and Sierra. As they loaded up their car for the drive north, we all realized that this would be Nina’s first adventure outside of the Florida Keys. And a terrific adventure it was.

As mandatory evacuations hit one Florida city after another, Steven, Sierra and Nina continued to drive until they reached Illinois, where they had family and friends. That’s where Nina met Blake. Sadly, Blake and his family had recently lost their beloved dog to cancer and were not quite sure if they were ready to adopt again.

But Nina instantly changed their minds. There was something magical about the way that Nina filled the void in their hearts and the loss of companionship that the family had been feeling.

Steven and Sierra drove back to the Keys alone, but knowing that Nina had found her forever home in Illinois. Despite the devastation that Irma brought, there were indeed some happy endings.

I want to thank everyone who has so generously donated their time, hard work and money to saving our animals. And if you’d like to help us make sure we never have to go through this again, please donate to our new hurricane-resistant shelter building fund by going to www.FKSPCA.org.

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