Kojak

Did you know that animals with Wounds of Unknown Origin (WUO) must be kept in rabies quarantine for 4 MONTHS??!!? For some municipal shelters, this means that it is not possible to save them all. Over 40 cats came in to TJO this past year needing to be quarantined, and every one of them received the critical care they needed.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, TJO has been able to use strategic programming that allows these animals, the ability to recover in quarantine and eventually be adopted into loving homes with a clean bill of health.

The cost of this care can be prohibitive for a city shelter—but your support helps us to give animals like Kojak a second chance.

Our friend Kojak, spent 4 months at camp TJO, recovering and getting the medical care and TLC he needed. Kojak is now in his forever home with a family who loves him unconditionally! No more outdoors for this guy.

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Sadly, pet over-population can have tragic outcomes for unplanned litters of kittens and puppies. Our community is lucky to benefit from the life-saving targeted programs offered by TJO and supported by our compassionate donors.

The Moms Fixed Free program, available to residents of Springfield, Chicopee, and Holyoke, allows TJO to keep families together while helping to stop pet over-population. Mom and her babies are all spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and provided with routine medical care. Mom is returned to her family and the babies are adopted out to loving homes.

Buddha came to TJO after her former owner was caught beating her on camera. While in custody awaiting the outcome of her owner’s animal cruelty case, Buddha’s fate was not certain. The emotional damage inflicted on her by her abuser left her with a deep fear and distrust of people.

Buddha was at receiving TLC at the Shelter while waiting to learn her fate pending the outcome of her owner’s animal cruelty court case. Volunteers spent time with Buddha during normal hours and staff put in extra time after work and on their days off. They were working on building trust. She was extremely picky about food and treats, so as people learned what she liked, they built up a stash just for her. She was given a nice, comfy, donated bed that she used while spending her days with the staff in the office.

We also learned that the staff and volunteers at the shelter were going above and beyond to earn Buddha’s trust in the hopes that her abuser would be brought to justice, and she would have a shot at being adopted.

After several months of giving Buddha the compassion, care, and space that she needed to learn to trust people again, her story takes a positive turn. Her former owner pled guilty to cruelty to animals and surrendered her to the care of TJO. Buddha was placed into a foster to adopt home and has been officially adopted.

Buddha received incredible care during her stay at TJO. The dedicated staff & volunteers were determined to ensure Buddha had a positive outcome. Thanks to funding from the Foundation for TJO Animals, all the animals in need that walk through the doors at TJO receive the critical care and TLC they need to ready them for adoption into loving homes.

In July, the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control & Adoption received several calls from concerned citizens about a dog in need of urgent care. They immediately dispatched an Animal Control Officer who phoned ahead to advise TJO's medical staff of the dire condition of this little dog. His warning could not prepare them for what they saw when she arrived at the medical clinic. Upon examination Maggie was bone thin, with a giant mass over one eye, she was pale and in shock. Her coat was horrifically matted, saturated with urine and
covered with feces. But even worse, this poor dog had open wounds that were infested with maggots. The moment she arrived at TJO, her life began anew. Her painful matts were removed, the wounds treated, infestation removed, and her pain managed. 

With all she endured, she looked to her new human friends with loving eyes and a wagging tail. Her journey to health took time and resources. With funding from the Foundation for TJO Animals, and the support of the community, Maggie made an amazing recovery. Maggie, now Sadie has been adopted into her furever home, and she is living the happy, healthy life that she so deserves.

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Emy was found in Springfield in January, very scared and unable to use her back legs. Not knowing where else to turn, a good Samaritan brought her to the Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center.  Emy had clearly suffered some sort of unknown injury that left her back legs paralyzed. Thanks to funding from the Foundation for TJO Animals, Emy received x-rays and an MRI that revealed she was suffering from a spinal cord injury.

Erika McElwey from Change Your Range provided physical therapy which has allowed for remarkable progress - Emy even has great potential to walk again!  Emy, a very active girl, was also in need of a wheelchair to take some of the pressure off as she continues her road to recovery.  Once again, the Foundation for TJO Animals was ready to help and funded her wheels!

On April 4th, 2019, Emy received the greatest gift of all... a furever home!  Anthony and Laurie Bonavita saw her on TV and just knew that Emy had to be a part of their family.  She even has two chihuahua sisters!  When Emy settles into her new life, she will begin training to be a therapy dog, working with autistic children.  Emy adores people and we just know that this unstoppable and very outgoing girl will excel and bring big smiles to the faces of so many!

Thanks to you, this is another success story.

Meet Thunder. Thunder is a 3-year old white and buff Poodle mix who came to TJO nearly three months ago. Thunder has overcome obstacles that no animal should endure. Early in his young life, he suffered a major injury that left him partially paralyzed. Thunder’s sweet personality quickly won the hearts of the entire TJO staff and volunteers. Thunder had his back legs and tail removed for better mobility and then our friends at Eddie’s Wheels stepped in to customize a ride. Thunder took to his wheels instantly and there was not a dry eye as he zoomed around the shelter. Thunder does have special needs, and will need to be under the care of a veterinarian throughout his life. He is full of love, determination, spunk, and a spirit that will melt your heart.