Darlington County Humane Society: Dog Field Trip/Short-Term Fostering Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
The grant enabled us to procure 250 collars for dogs, which has facilitated our field-trip program, Paws Around the Pee Dee (PAPD). This initiative has proven to be a wonderful way for our community to interact with the shelter and support local businesses, fostering a sense of connection and cooperation.
How many pets did this grant help?
250
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
Gloria’s (first photo) story is truly heartwarming. She arrived at the shelter on March 2, 2024, and despite completing all her evaluations, she struggled to find a forever home. After being sent to the bridge program, she waited for months, eventually becoming one of the shelter’s longest-staying dogs and even being labeled as urgent.
However, Gloria’s luck changed when she participated in the Paws Around the Pee Dee (PAPD) program on June 22, 2024. Her field trippers fell deeply in love with her, and their affection ultimately led to her adoption on July 20. But that’s not all — her new owners were so moved by their experience that they also sponsored another dog’s heartworm treatment, demonstrating the ripple effect of kindness that Gloria’s story inspired.
Today, Gloria is living her best life in a loving home surrounded by other dogs, receiving all the attention and affection she deserves. Her adopter, Kim Pate, is clearly smitten with her, and it’s wonderful that we get to see Gloria’s happy updates whenever we visit the bank. Gloria’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, love, and the impact that programs like PAPD can have on the lives of shelter dogs.
Pookie’s (second photo) story is a beautiful testament to the impact of the PAPD program. This sweet, 1-year-old heartworm-positive shelter dog spent four long months at the shelter, often being overlooked despite her gentle and kind nature. She even became a valuable asset to the shelter, helping to evaluate other incoming dogs due to her calm demeanor.
As time passed, Pookie found herself on the urgent list, but her luck was about to change. During the Paws Around the Pee Dee event in August 2024, Kristine and her son Jordan had the opportunity to spend time with her. Despite their initial concerns about taking a bigger dog due to mom having a broken thumb, Pookie proved to be a perfect companion, walking wonderfully on the leash and stealing their hearts.
As Kristine and her son spent more time with Pookie (third and fourth photos), their connection with her grew stronger, and they decided to take her home for a long weekend to give her more exposure. Through social media updates and posts, the “PickPookie” campaign gained momentum and eventually, a rescue organization reached out. Pookie’s journey took her to Pennsylvania, where she received numerous adoption applications and ultimately found her forever home.
Pookie’s new family is a dream come true — she has kids to play with, two German shepherd siblings to keep her company, a big backyard to explore, and a pool to enjoy. It’s clear that Pookie has found her perfect match, and it’s all thanks to the PAPD program, which provided her with the necessary exposure and notice to escape the shelter and find a loving family. Her story is a shining example of the power of community, compassion, and the importance of giving shelter dogs a second chance at a happy life.
