End animal suffering in KCMO urban core

This is quite the story of just one rescued dog. What we want you to know is that we do this all year long, over and over again for so many animals. It is only possible because of your support. Here is the story of Cletus’s transformation.

Chain of Hope was asked for help at a house where a man had four pit bulls. Three of them seemed to be favored, but the 4^th one was not well cared for at all. While the other three dogs were inside/outside dogs, poor Cletus was always on a chain in the back yard. He was 10 yrs. old and he was the sweetest dog in the world!

When we first went over there, it was winter time. Cletus’s “shelter” was a camper shell on the ground that he could get under. He was pretty thin, had an eye infection and just didn’t appear healthy at all. He sure needed a lot of help. Our hearts broke for him. We began a relationship with the owner and he finally let us take Cletus into the vet. Cletus tested positive for heart worms and received eye medication for his eyes.

This owner did not step up and Cletus continued to deteriorate. We had been asking the owner if we could take Cletus for good and he always said no. However, we were very persistent. We knew Cletus had to be treated for his heart worms of he would die from them. Eventually, the owner signed Cletus over to us. It took multiple visits to the home and constantly talking to the owner to get him to see that Cletus would really be better off with us. It was a very happy day when he signed our relinquishment form and we left with Cletus for good-never to return.

We were able to get Cletus’s eye infection cleared up. He does have “dry eye” and has daily eye drops for the rest of his life. We got him through his difficult heart worm treatment. Cletus was eventually adopted by a young couple that love him so incredibly much. They recently were married and they included Cletus in their engagement photographs. Don’t they look great? Cletus is the picture of health now! He is much loved and shows his new parents just as much love right back to them!

Thank you for your support so that we can continue to turn these animals’ lives around and save them-just like Cletus! 

Chain of Hope works in the urban core of Kansas City, MO every day of the week helping animals and their owners. We receive numerous requests for help every day. Sometimes, the situation is literally life or death for an animal. Our response is critical in saving a life. Montana is one of those dogs. Read on.

Chain of Hope received a call from a maintenance man who had seen a dog in the inner city that was in horrific shape. When I called him back, he told me that it was emaciated and that it looked like it would not make it until morning. He said that he had gone to the door of a house where the dog was laying, kind of off to the side. Someone answered the door, they were impaired and mumbled something about “that dog sure needs some food”. The man who was trying to help didn’t know if it was the home owner’s dog or not. He left and called Chain of Hope. I told him that I would head over to look for this poor dog.

When I got over there, I drove back and forth looking and around the neighborhood. I could not find this dog and it was going to be getting dark and much colder soon. After looking for quite a while, I decided that I was going to go to the door of that particular house again and try and talk to them. As I was getting out of my car, I looked over and I saw the dog! It was almost camouflaged in the tree line, just laying there curled up in a ball in the leaves, trying to get warm.

I grabbed some canned dog food and started lobbing some chunks close to the dog as I walked towards it. I didn’t want it to try and get away. It had no interest in the food at all. I crept closer to her, still tossing food and coaxing her to come to me. She finally stood up and tried to take a step towards me and collapsed. She was totally emaciated and very weak. There is no way she would have made it through the night. I picked her up and put her in my car and drove her to the emergency clinic that we use.

When I got to the emergency clinic, they brought a stretcher out. Her head was hanging over the side of the gurney as they whisked her to the back. I was so worried about her making it. I hoped and prayed we’d gotten her in time.

The nurses at the clinic started calling her Montana. They all took excellent care of her! Montana stayed at the emergency clinic the entire weekend, receiving life-saving IVs and expert care. Her bill was almost $2500, but we know she’s worth every penny! Montana is doing great now! We got rid of her parasites and she is gaining weight. She is gaining confidence and now wags her tail almost constantly! Her entire life has changed.

Chain of Hope is called to emergencies all the time. Montana is just one example. We appreciate you donating to us so that we can continue to help the neediest of the needy in the inner city. We could not do this difficult work with you!