Local animal lovers turned out Saturday for the first pet expo hosted by the organization Helping Out Pets in Effingham (HOPE).
Probably no one had more fun, though, than Annie, a pit bull terrier representing Solace Pit Bull Rescue. Annie spent the day visiting with friends and making new ones, receiving plenty of hugs and treats along the way.
That’s quite a change from nearly two years ago, when Annie was found injured and emaciated near the Savannah State University campus.
"She was a walking skeleton," said Kelli Miller, owner of Solace Pit Bull Rescue.
But now Annie is thriving. Solace has helped nurse her back to health and get her shots up to date while teaching her household obedience. Annie has even passed her therapy dog test through Therapy Dogs International while she waits to be adopted into her "forever home."
"She is good with people, she is good with other dogs, she is even good with cats," Miller said. "Her mission in life is to find a lap and lay in it."
Right next to Solace’s information booth was Full Bowls, Inc., a local pet food pantry. Full Bowls provides pet food to families dealing with financial hardships.
"Every year, so many animals end up at area shelters, not because they are unwanted, but because their owners are struggling to feed themselves, their families and their pets," said Full Bowls founder Tracy Wilson. "Many owners are faced with the horrific choice of giving up their pets or letting them go hungry."
Just a few yards away, the organization Companion Animal Aid shared the story of Chance, a stray dog that was recently found badly injuredfrom a belt embedded deeply into his skin. The embedded belt was attached to a tow strap being used a harness.
Chance has been undergoing treatment and will recover from his wounds. However, the founder of Companion Animal Aid said many other animals are not as fortunate after being tethered on their owners’ property and being abused and neglected, suffering from sporadic feedings, empty water bowls, inadequate veterinary care and exposure to extreme weather.
"Our true goal in this is to let people know how important it is not to tether," Kim Kleeman said.
Having multiple organizations on hand to spread the word about proper animal care and responsible pet ownership is exactly what HOPE founder Pat Manser envisioned for the pet expo.
"It’s all about awareness," Manser said.
Starting in June, HOPE plans to host a pet expo on the first Saturday of each month, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the old Springfield Ford location on Highway 21 in Rincon.
Non-profit organizations can participate in the expo free of charge and vendors can set up a booth for a $10 contribution to HOPE. For more information, call 826-1282.
