The organization Helping Out Pets in Effingham, or HOPE, has enjoyed several success stories, including the well-publicized rescue and fostering of "Kekoa," a pit bull terrier investigators believe had been used as a "bait dog" to train fighting dogs.
To promote its mission of helping animals, HOPE invites the community to its first pet expo April 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the old Springfield Ford building on Highway 21 in Rincon. HOPE then plans to host a pet expo on the first Saturday of each month, beginning in June.
"Having a monthly pet expo in Effingham will benefit HOPE and the many rescues involved in our area," said HOPE founder Pat Manser. "It will enable us to hand out information on proper care of animals while making the event a fun-filled family affair."
Along with HOPE’s information booth, rescue organizations will be on hand with pets available for adoption and vendors will sell crafts and baked goods. Vendor spots are still available by calling 826-1282.
Non-profit organizations can set up a booth free of charge, and vendors will make a $30 contribution to HOPE. The vendor fees will benefit HOPE projects such as providing a pet bed to every animal at the Effingham County Animal Shelter.
"HOPE has a wonderful group of volunteers who are dedicated to making the animals’ lives at the shelter as comfortable and healthy as possible while helping with assessment and placement into rescues and/or permanent homes," Manser said.
The organization’s latest rescue is Fester, a young, full-blooded boxer who was found with a harness embedded deeply in his skin. He was also severely malnourished and heartworm-positive.
Fester — described by Manser as a "sweet, loving dog" — underwent multiple surgeries at the Animal Hospital at Rice Hope to repair the damage causedby the harness, and he was also neutered and brought up to date on his shots. Once Fester heals, he will go to a foster home through the Boxer Aid and Rescue Coalition (BARC).
"An embedded harness or collar is something that should never happen to any animal. It is animal cruelty," Manser said. "It can be easily avoided by checking and changing the collar as the animal grows."
HOPE is paying all of Fester’s veterinary costs, Manser said. Donations toward Fester’s care, or any of the organization’s projects, can be made to HOPE, P.O. Box 2601, Rincon, GA 31326.
