These are three of those dogs

 

Dear, Right now, as temperatures climb, dogs across rural Virginia and North Carolina are doing what they do every summer—and every winter, every spring, every autumn—because they have no choice. They struggle through scorching heat with little or no shelter, deprived of adequate food, water, veterinary care, and any form of companionship. Their world is no bigger than the length of a heavy chain. PETA's field team serves low-income areas of rural Virginia and North Carolina—doing everything possible to improve the welfare of dogs chained outside, including by delivering sturdy, insulated doghouses, offering low- or no-cost spay/neuter surgeries, and providing flea treatment. But that is only the beginning. Because of your support, our team keeps showing up—week after week, year after year—until every dog we can reach has a chance at the life they deserve. These are three of those dogs. For more than 10 years, Rusty spent day after day tethered and isolated in a tiny dirt pen—forced to sleep, eat, and relieve himself on the same patch of ground. He is a dog who craves connection. He runs to the fence when PETA staff arrive, his whole body reaching toward them, hungry for a touch, a kind word, something to break the silence. PETA staff regularly visited Rusty and brought food, fresh water, toys, flea and tick prevention, flystrike ointment, and a sturdy, insulated doghouse. They pleaded with his owner to let Rusty experience life beyond that barren pen. Time and again, they were turned down. But they never stopped asking. Their persistence finally paid off, and Rusty said goodbye to that tiny patch of dirt. Rusty underwent intensive treatment for long-standing heartworm disease, which is deadly if left untreated. He spent time in foster care before he was adopted, and PETA drove him to his new home in Florida. Rusty now has the life he always deserved in the Sunshine State. He takes walks on the beach. He has a bed to sleep in, nutritious food, and clean water. He's loved and celebrated and even has his own Instagram page. He still acts like a puppy, even though he's a senior, and loves playing with his plushie frog toy. His family recently adopted another senior dog, who's become Rusty's close companion. Mona spent every day and every night chained outside in a rural North Carolina county where there is no effective local ordinance and animal control's options were limited to an outdated, ambiguous state statute. Day after day, she remained tethered and neglected with no reprieve. She was just a puppy—barely a year old—when PETA staff first found her. During a routine visit, PETA staff noticed something alarming: Mona's ribs and spine were pressing against her skin. She was emaciated. With the help of local law enforcement, PETA was finally able to intervene. Mona was rescued and given the chance to find a loving home. Mona received much-needed nourishment and veterinary care and spent time recovering in foster care. She now enjoys life with a family committed to her well-being and in the company of other dogs. Mona loves her life with her new family—surrounded by love and respect, with a bed to sleep in, nutritious food, clean water, and her favorite toy: a treat-dispensing rubber bone. She enjoys cuddling and being around human beings of all ages and she's deeply caring toward her guardian, who has orthopedic issues. Mona follows her closely, especially when going down the steps. Sandy spent more than a decade trapped at the end of a chain. Year after year, she remained chained with no escape and no relief. The turning point came after tragedy struck: a dog on the same property was starved to death. Because PETA took legal action, law enforcement intervened. Sandy and other surviving dogs on the property were seized and eventually transferred to PETA for rehabilitation and the chance at adoption. Sandy experienced comfort and safety for the first time as she prepared to be adopted. Sandy was adopted by a loving family who gave her a better life during her golden years. She experienced comfort, care, and compassion—everything she had been denied for so long. She was surrounded by love, had a bed to sleep in, nutritious food, clean water, and spent her days in safety and peace. Sandy's guardian made her homemade dog food, which she loved. She became a celebrity in her neighborhood—everyone knew Sandy. When her guardian walked her around the block, all the neighbors (dogs and human beings alike) would come out and greet her. She never saw the end of a chain again. Rusty. Mona. Sandy. Three lives changed because someone showed up, kept showing up, and refused to walk away. This summer, PETA's field team will be out in the heat doing exactly that for dogs who are still waiting. A sturdy, insulated doghouse. Fresh straw. Food and water and a familiar face. And the determination to keep asking, every single visit, until a dog is either allowed to live inside or surrendered so we can find them a better home. Our Summer Doghouse Campaign launches soon—and we'll have more to share with you then. Please watch your inbox. Thank you for being part of this work. Kind regards, PETA P.S. The dogs you met in this email are the reason PETA's field team heads out every week, in every season. Their stories aren't rare—they're what our team encounters day after day. You can read more about PETA’s rescue team and the animals we help here. Join our text list to help animals faster & get local invites! Text LIST to 73822 By signing up, you agree to receive automated texts and calls from PETA and accept our terms and conditions. Message and data rates may apply. U.S. mobile users only. You can opt out anytime. This e-mail was sent by PETA, 501 Front St., Norfolk, VA 23510 USA.