Hounds Were Flying in Buckhannon; Duke's Story...

August 14, 2022

Mountaineer News

PAWndering Pets

Duke, Christy Rutter with Lewis Upshur Animal Control, Philip Allen with Hound Pilot and Jeffrey King with American Black & Tan Connhound Rescue at the Upshur County Regional Airport on Saturday, July 30, 2022.

[Editor's Note: Please accept our profuse apologies for this story being a little (okay, a lot!) late. Please know that we had intended to publish this content a little over a week ago, as Duke's phenomenal rescue occurred on Saturday, July 30, 2022. Let's just say, excuses aside, we all understand that things sometimes happen and we're only human. :]

BUCKHANNON - It was a cloudy Saturday morning at the Upshur County Regional Airport (W22) when I met Christy Rutter with the Lewis-Upshur Animal Control Facility (LUAC);

We were waiting for a small single-engine Rockwell aircraft to arrive that had just departed Westminster, Maryland to pick up a coonhound named Duke and fly him toward his forever home via the Shenandoah Valley Airport in Weyer's Cave, Virginia.

As we waited for the plane to arrive, Christy shared with me how this wonderful (and fortunate) day had arrived for Duke - a handsome and friendly black & tan coonhound who's roughly six-years old. She explained how Duke had shown up as a stray at someone's house one day, and John, a LUAC Officer brought him back to the facility.

Duke was wearing a collar with a tag bearing his name and a phone number, but unfortunately, after several attempts, LUAC was informed that Duke's owner had passed away and they couldn't reach any next of kin.

Vanessa Rios, a former Buckhannon resident played a role in Duke's rescue. Although she now resides in a different timezone, she still keeps in touch with animal rescue networks in the area.

One day she happened to see Duke on the LUAC website and decided to help out with a donation via Paypal to cover his neutering costs.

It's important to note that, in most scenarios, an animal being spayed or neutered is sometimes the determining factor whether or not an organization will consider rescue or transport options.

When we spoke with Vanessa via Face Chat, she had seen where Duke had been rescued and was so excited that he had found his forever home. She strongly encourages others to help whenever and wherever they can. It truly makes a difference.

As we know, it takes a village and networking to effect change. Spaying and neutering are simple procedures that are vital for the overall health and well-being of your pets. Not to mention, it helps control the pet population.

After Duke's stray hold period had been up for a few days, American Black & Tan Coonhound Rescue heard about this sweet boy who had lost his owner in Buckhannon, West Virginia, and the rest (as they say) is history.

Watch this brief interview with Jeffrey King (American Black & Tan Coonhound Rescue) and Philip Allen (Hound Pilot) - Links to their organizations are also provided below:

AMERICAN BLACK & TAN COONHOUND RESCUE:

HOUND PILOT

We love happy endings. Let's make more together. Please donate funds, food and/or your time. It ALL makes a difference.

As always, A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who donates their time and resources. It truly wouldn't be possible without YOU. If you've ever considered volunteering, you can truly make a difference in the lives of so many fur babies.

At the Lewis-Upshur Animal Control Facility, wet cat food of any variety is always preferred for cats; dry food is supplied by the County; It's often easier for kittens and felines in need of oral medications to ingest patte.

Hard dog/cat foods are also welcome, with the exception of anything containing red dyes.

Please contact the Lewis-Upshur Animal Control Facility with any questions or for more information. Let's create more stories like this together, shall we?

318 Mudlick Road, Buckhannon, WV 26201 | 304-472-3865 | WEBSITE - ADOPT TODAY!