Success Stories - Protectors of Animals, Inc.

Can you believe this beautiful 5-year old female cat was abandoned in a box at POA’s door during the night? She had filthy ears, a dull coat, and eyes filled with fear. She had the classic signs of neglect/abuse. An anonymous note left with her described her as "growing increasingly aggressive" and "urinating everywhere".

POA named the cat Sarah Jane and immediately took her to the vet where she was examined, spayed, and given routine shots. She returned to POA in good health, but her fear and distrust of humans made her difficult to handle. A volunteer decided to take her home where she would be in a quiet and safe environment. For days Sarah Jane hid in fear, but slowly her fear began to subside, and she guardedly began to rub against the volunteer. Sarah Jane desperately wanted affection but she had been too afraid to receive it. Now she felt secure enough to allow herself to be petted, and her first brushing made her purr with happiness. Soon she allowed her ears to be cleaned and with daily brushings and a good diet her coat began to shine. The fear in her eyes turned to relief and then to content.

In a few short months Sarah Jane was ready for adoption, but she needed a special pet parent. She needed someone she could trust; someone who would give her time to adjust to a new home. One day that perfect person walked into POA and loved Sarah Jane from the start. That perfect person was Jennifer. She was a single woman with a quiet home, and she was longing for a cat companion. Jennifer took Sarah Jane home the same day.

Within days Sarah Jane was sleeping on the couch and cuddling with Jennifer. Sarah Jane was happy and safe in her new forever home. And Jennifer gave Sarah Jane a new name for her new life: Angela, after Jennifer’s late mother. Now, if that isn’t love, what is?

P.S. And that “urinating everywhere” thing? What was that all about? She never once urinated anywhere except her litter box.

Shirley the Love Bug!

No one says Pit Bulls have it easy.

Shirley was found tossed aside on the street, scared, puppies taken from her, with a very painful ear problem. But as soon as this precious girl started to feel better her true spirit came out.

Shirley loves everyone. She loves to play, to fetch, to stay by your side, to give lots of kisses...she loved to make funny noises in her cage so people would come over and love her! And as time went on she just kept loving and although she was sure the POA crowd was her family soon she came to realize that her journey was just beginning and soon enough she would go to her real home where she could love her people all day long.

Shirley's new people, Chris and his wife knew Shirley was the one when they met her but were waiting for their new house to become theirs. They came week after week to walk Shirley and started to get to know her. And soon enough the house sale was final and Shirley went home to love them forever. What a happy ending for such a sweet deserving dog!

Homer was rescued from a local animal shelter and he was looking for his home a little late in life. He was a senior dog looking for his retirement home. But Homer was full of life especially when it came to food. Homer was the local vacuum cleaner. He would race out of his cage each day and run up and down the floor searching for any food particles that may have been tossed out by another dog. And good luck if you wanted to move him aside because food came first.

Homer warmed the shelter with all his love and funny faces. Homer was always up for his walk, and loved to stop for a break in the park to roll around on his itchy back. And before long Homer caught the eye of Kathleen and Paul who were long time lab owners. In fact, the already had a senior lab, Yaz, at home who was looking for a partner in crime. Enter Homie...he fit the bill and just as the year turned over he went to his forever home.

Homer enjoyed 2 months of love before he moved on to the next world. Kathleen and Paul were so appreciative to have had those few months with this special guy. Attached are some words from Homer care of Kathleen.

My Mom and Dad work from home so we are all together all day. My brother and I get to sit in on a lot of meetings in the office and keep them company. here is a lot of really great furniture here and according to my Dad, I haven’t met a piece that I don’t like. Although, I do tend to slip on the leather recliner so I don’t frequent that one very much. You can probably see from the photos that my house is really comfortable and very, very animal friendly. There are lots of rugs to sleep on and my brother and I have a bed in pretty much every room in the house. We have three fireplaces and I have grown to enjoy my cozy nights lying in front of the fire. You will see that my parents have a king size bed and they have special stairs that are especially made for dogs who want to get on the bed. My “on the bed” time had to be monitored because I was getting a little too used to being up there and I began to get restless during the wee hours of the morning when I would awake and find myself on one of the dog beds. So, we started a ritual that on weekend mornings all four of us would have a good half hour of snuggle time on the bed. Did I mention that they have a nice comfy down comforter on that bed?

The following note was received from the person who adopted the cat we knew as Camilla and has been renamed to Molly Ann.

"It is with great joy in my heart that I thank you for assisting and facilitating the adoption of our new baby girl, Molly Ann. While adding an enormous amount of sunshine and happiness in such a short amount of time, Molly has also successfully stolen the hearts of the entire family--her dog brothers included!!

I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the obvious love, dedication and commitment to the animals at your facility by the staff (Martha, Manny, Joanne, Jody) with whom we met the evening we picked up Molly Ann to bring home. My brother and I were heartened that guardian angels like all of you truly exist for the health and welfare of the little lives entrusted in your hands. We appreciated the opportunity to be shown the facility which was meticulously clean, well kept and tidy.

Thank you again for assisting us in Molly's adoption. You exemplify and personify the true meaning and definition of "protecting the animals" --while serving as a role model as to the expert, dedicated and professional operation of a non-profit organization."
Molly Ann’s new mom also does Pet Photography and wanted us to let you that she took this wonderful picture of Molly Ann. Photograph by Joanne D. Switzer, Pixel-Pros, LLC