Miss Popular, Daphne

Saturday, since our day ended up being open, Daphne and I headed over to visit her foster dad's work. It wasn't just any day at Camden County Animal Shelter either. It was the day of their Pet Fest and what a day it was - food, vendors, a DJ, lots of doggies, plastic pools filled with water for the dogs, treats and lots of people wanting to love up Daphne. It was great!

I figured if I had to carry the little princess around that she was going to earn her keep ... Daphne wore this cute little envelope on a ribbon around her neck in the hopes of getting donations towards her care and some wonderful, wonderful people did end up donating what they could to help. Everyone was so sweet and felt so bad for Daphne. Here are photos from the day (some taken from others' Facebook pages):

Saw Daphne Saturday, but didn't get the chance to donate or were you not able to make it out Saturday? You can still donate - snail mail us or head over to PayPal to make a donation to Joa’s Arc.

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Update on Coco

From his foster mom: UPDATE: COCO - the Starved Pittie from Camden

Coco is doing amazingly well. He is enjoying life and LOVES his friend Adeline - another Camden County Animal Shelter Pit Bull that was dumped by her owner in a field.

Coco's blood work came back perfect and it appears that his sight is improving. He is a smart pup and is learning his commands. He now knows "sit" and "off". We are continuing to work on his housebreaking (that's why he is wearing his belly wrap) and he is showing tremendous improvement. Coco will be ready for adoption soon so please keep him in mind - he deserves the BEST home.

Thanks again to everyone who helped Coco: ACO John Micklewright, Camden County Animal Shelter, Joa’s Arc, those who donated to his care and everyone who shared his plight. It takes an army to save one dog - but by working together we can help so many.

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Please Help Us Help Daphne

Poor Daphne has not has an easy start to life. She's just a couple months old and look at the condition she's in!

This adorable little pup was brought into a local shelter with some extensive injuries. Although she looked like a normal, happy puppy, it was quite obvious something was wrong with her when she stumbled around when trying to be playful. Here's a video of how she was walking when we first got her: http://youtu.be/2KDjGMEFuuY

Daphne apparently had an old fracture in her front left leg, which recently was re-injured causing even more damage.

Further complicating poor Daphne's condition is the fact her front right foot also needs attention - there is some bad hyper-extension (soft tissue damage) going on either from the same trauma that hurt her other leg or from over-compensation when trying to not put weight on the other. Either way this poor girl has two legs that need to be medically looked at and treated ... and Joa’s Arc needs your help to do that.

Miss Daphne went to see an ortho surgeon the other night and it appears as if this lady lucked out - she might not need surgery!!

Although Daphne suffered some sort of abuse, her bones appear to be fairly lined up and she doesn't seem to be in any pain ... so instead of risking damaging her growth plates further with surgery & screws, Dr. Coudrai feels that basically a full upper body wrap should do the trick - taking pressure off the fractured upper leg bone on her left side while also bracing/supporting her right wrist.

Daphne's treatment plan requires sedation and wrapping once a week for at least the next 3 weeks to allow her legs to heal. Then, rehab to try to get some mobility back. It's not surgery, but this is not a cheap process either, so Joa’s Arc is asking for your generosity.

You can make a donation through one of the methods to the right (mailing a check to our PO Box or using our PayPal link) or using the widget above to donate through our ChipIn page (also available here: http://joasarcspecialneeds.chipin.com/daphne)

Please remember all donations are tax deductible now that we are a official 501c3.

Thank you from Daphne!

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More On Coco

Coco's mom wrote the other day: "Just wanted to let everyone know that today I found out what Coco's original name was....are you ready?!

His owner named him "DIRT".

Makes me ill to hear this, but I was informed of his name when I called ACO John Micklewright to get some information on Coco's initial medical care.

Look at his beautiful face, how could anyone call him Dirt!!

I can promise you this, Coco will only know kindness and love for the rest of his life. Thank you John, Joa’s Arc, Camden County Animal Shelter, those who made donations to his care ... and everyone who has been keeping him in their thoughts and prayers.

Coco sends you all kisses and he is loving his new life :)"

Thank you, Karen, for taking Coco in and giving him such incredible love and kindness. Surely you will nurse his sweet soul so that he never remembers his days as "Dirt".

Donations for Coco's care can be made to:
Joa’s Arc
PO Box 243
Audubon, NJ 08106

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Meet Coco

Coco is a 8 month old chocolate pit bull boy who came into our care at just 20 lbs!

Left in his home in Camden, NJ, after his owner was arrested, a neighbor alerted Camden City Animal Control of his condition.

Coco is now in foster care with our good friend, Karen, so he can gain some weight and get ready to be adopted to someone very special who will make sure Coco only knows love for the rest of his life.

When Coco saw the vet several days after coming into Karen/Joa’s Arc's care, he had already gained a pound, was walking again (he wasn't the first day) and his blood work looked good for the physical condition he was in.

His foster mom wrote just yesterday: "This morning I let him out at 6:30(AM) then we went back upstairs. When I got back in bed he was walking all around my bedroom...then he came to the side of the bed and put his paws up to come in bed. It was too cute. He climbed in bed - put is head on the pillow and his body next to me and fell sleep. :)"

Joa’s Arc is happy to help Karen help Coco to recover and, in turn, assist Camden County Animal Shelter in their efforts to give every animal in need a chance ... even the "extra special" ones.

Donations for Coco's care can be made to:
Joa’s Arc
PO Box 243
Audubon, NJ 08106

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Gabe Has Been Adopted!!

A year to the day that he was cleared for adoption, our wonderful, lovable, goofy Gabe has been adopted!!!!!!!

That's right, Gabe has finally gone home with his furever family and we could not be more excited for him.

It's undeniable that after the amount of time he's been with Joa’s Arc that we have all grown very attached to Gabe, especially his foster family, but a home of their own is always the goal for our extra special furbabies.

Gabe's new family actually wrote us just this morning saying: "I just wanted you to know that Gabe is GREAT!!!! He is adjusting to his "forever" home, beautifully. Our stairs were a challange at first, but he now is, as Jeff says, the "stair master". He gets along well with all our other pets, but Cecelia, our little terrier, is still a little afraid when Gabe shows he wants to play by pouncing at her. It's really fun to watch.

Thank you so much for choosing us as Gabe's family. He really is a special boy."

A great big thank you and hug to Gabe's family. May he bring you all the happiness (and laughs) that we know that goofy boy is capable of.

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Lots of News

lots of big news rolling soon...

Just to give hints:
- paperwork
- a big adoption
- Coco & Daphne

Stay tuned! :)

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Courtesy Post: Fantastic Freddie

Here's a courtesy post for our friends at Pets with Disabilities:

Freddie is 1 - 2 years old, german shepherd mix weighing 50 lbs. He was born with a non-functioning back rear leg which never grew. That does not stop him from getting around.

Freddie was born at the shelter and never felt grass or dirt between his toes until he arrived at Pets with Disabilities rescue. Freddie is a little shy but is doing great in his foster home in Sewell, NJ. When he arrived at his foster home he did not know how to do steps or walk on a leash…now he does both. Freddie is very smart and learns quickly! And don’t worry about his special “ability” – he doesn’t even know he is different and it doesn’t slow him down at all.

Freddie will need kind guardians to help him continue to learn about how great life can be with people who love him. Your patience will be rewarded many times over because this dog is a real sweetheart - wanting to share his heart. Freddie loves being outside in the yard, being brushed, going for walks, and gets along great with other dogs and cats too. He is crate trained and housebroken. This sweet boy will make someone a loyal and devoted friend for years to come.

Please consider adopting Fantastic Freddie so he can have a home of his own.

For more information on Freddie CONTACT: Joyce@petswithdisabilities@comcast.net or Karen@loveelwood@comast.net.

UPDATE: Freddie has been adopted by has chosen to adopt Joa’s Arc's own Hailey & Jen S :)

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"Anakin"

Below is the story of "Anakin".

Joa’s Arc was made aware of an amazing kitten by a friend on Facebook - this kitten is happy and healthy although he has no hind legs. This kitten is safe in the arms of his rescuer, Carrie H, who didn't run away like many would. Instead she embraced him and loves this extra special kitten regardless of what the future holds for him. We felt it was important to share this story of inspiration...

From Carrie H: "We have a new kitten! A very special new kitten. I wasn't looking to get another cat right now, but you know how these things just happen....

About two weeks ago a kitten without back legs started coming over to eat with the other feral cats at my dad's work. My first few trips to attempt to catch it didn't work out. Then Thursday (5/31), Ian, Angel and I went to see if this was the day we could catch it. The kitten was cowering in the bushes and I climbed into the bushes and pulled the kitten out.

We brought the kitten home and I set it up in our hall bathroom, exactly like I did with Trixie & Pixie two years earlier.

Friday morning (6/1) I took him to our vet as soon as they opened. Our vet said she has never seen anything like him before and he is amazing ... and that it's also amazing that his mother took care of him even with his handicap. She examined him and he is a little boy, approximately 6 - 8 weeks old and it in really good health.

Two x-rays on him showed he was born with no pelvis or back legs. We let him walk around the room for a minute to see how he moves. He positions his front legs at an angle towards the middle of his body and balances his back end in the air with the use of his tail touching the ground if he needs it. He gets around really well that way and is pretty quick too. The x-ray also showed that his insides were not malformed :)

Now, he is home getting comfy in his bathroom and will be there for a while 'til he is bigger, stronger and ready to be socialized with the other cats and our dog. He is such a sweet calm little guy :) He is happy to cuddle in our laps and purrs really loud. He likes to play with a little toy mouse and also chase a beaded necklaces around on the floor. We have decided to name him "Anakin" and will be calling him "Ani" (yes after Anakin Skywalker :D )

Thank you, Carrie, for catching, caring for and giving Anakin a chance! We believe all animals, regardless of their disabilities, deserve it! Anakin is very special and so are you, Carrie!

Carrie is an accomplished artist who does beautiful work. Here is her website for all you cat lovers: http://www.tigerpixie.com

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