Dear AAS,

I can really relate to the majority of stories on your web site. Here in the
northern part of Georgia where I live, I see dogs chained to trees with no
shelter or attention, dogs left in little runs- with no attention, and seen
the horrible conditions in which the animals in the SPCA live awaiting
adoption.

In my own family, we have purchased one dog from what turned out to be a
very neglectful breeder (now out of the "business"), adopted two dogs and a
cat from two separate shelters, and rescued three dogs and one cat from the
countryside. The cat was a domestic "dump", lost, starving, and was out in
the heat so long she became permanently brain-damaged. She lived with us for
a year before succumbing to her disorder.

One of the dogs is a Beagle, badly neglected, full of wounds from sarcoptic
mange, and used as a puppy breeder. She had fallen off what appears to be
the bed of some pick-up truck (another aggravation to see dogs loose on the
back of pick-ups and flat beds!) and has what is called "road burn"- no
teeth in the front of her mouth, her fangs scraped down to the quick, and
nasal problems. She is now a beautiful, glossy, happy pooch who has become
completely spoiled!

Another is a border collie mix of some sort. He was found on the side of the
road at the age of about 3 months old, starving to death. He now is a
hyperactive love bug who has totally stolen our hearts!

Our latest collection was found several months back. He is a Lemon Headed
Walker Foxhound. Many rednecks out here like them to hunt for fox and small
game. This one has had his right eye shot out, and has a collection of bb's
and shot in parts of his body. We were able to get a copper shot out of his
ear. He came here as a weary, skin-and-bones dog, fighting with our other
dogs over food or attention, and totally unhousebroken. Now he is a happy,
glossy pooch with a ton of love to give.

It makes me sick to see all the neglect and ignorance around here with these
wonderful domesticated friends. Many are dumped by the city people who think
that a domesticated animal can survive on its own. Others are abused, like
one of our redneck neighbors whose solution to disciplining his dog was to
kick and beat it, while leaving it to roam the neighborhood and kill our
chickens. It's diet appeared to be leftover Krystal (junk food) burgers and
fries.

I do not know of any advocacy group out here. Are you aware of any? If not,
how could I get one started? I've met quite a number of others in the area
who have taken in abused animals as well. Surely there is a way to connect
together, give our testimonies, and find funding to assist with the medical
needs of these poor creatures!

Keep up your great work.

Maureen A