On average, 2.7 million animals are euthanized each year. Of that 2.7 million, 1.3 million are dogs and 1.4 million are cats. Other than strays, the main reasons that these animals end up in shelters are that their "owner" doesn't have enough space or time for them or that the animal has behavioral issues that the "owner" doesn't have the time or patience to correct (ASPCA).
Fortunately enough, a South Carolina rescue realized that these neglected, often overlooked animals deserve a second chance.
Sinbad Sadie Second Chance Rescue (SSSCR) was formed in the midst of an animal neglect and cruelty case in April 2014. Animal control had recently seized 10 abused and abandoned hounds and taken them to a shelter where they were confined to kennels and had minimal time to stretch their legs and run. Of these 10 dogs, only two of them, Rufus and Trudy, tested heartworm negative. Two other dogs, Lucy, who had a broken pelvis, and an emotionally traumatized unnamed dog, were determined "untreatable" and were euthanized. Rufus and Trudy received their spay/neuter treatment and became available for adoption. Duchess and Caramel were also spayed and were able to find foster parents. The other four hounds, Sadie, Sinbad, Tom and Huck were left in the shelter for weeks upon weeks. Their shelter became crowded, and the choice was made to euthanize Huck and Tom (SSSCR). More dogs were brought into the shelter, and sadly, Sinbad and Sadie were euthanized because there was not enough kennel space available to add more dogs. Six dogs were euthanized due to lack of space, which is unfair, unjust and far too common.
Out of this tragic event rose SSSCR. Sinbad Sadie Second Chance Rescue was formed in January 2015 and “is a non-profit animal rescue working to reduce euthanasia of adoptable animals in South Carolina" (Sinbad Sadie Second Chance Rescue). SSSCR believes that every animal deserves a second chance.
Sinbad Sadie follows three guidelines that are key to their mission. In sum, every animal, no matter breed, behavior, background, living situation, etc., should be treated and loved like family.
In order for Sinbad Sadie to function, it needs the help of caring and dedicated volunteers to help foster, transport, run events and fundraise.
Foster: Fostering an animal means providing the animal with food, water, shelter and love. Foster parents will help to acclimate the cat or dog to a living and loving environment and help with training and socialization. And who knows, your foster pet might become your fur-ever pet!
If you (or anyone you know) want to foster and are committed and dedicated to help find loving homes for these animals, please visit the SSSCR website and fill out the foster application.
Transport: Many of the fostered and adoptable pets available have medical appointments that they must travel to. Part of being a foster parent entails traveling to these appointments. But if the foster parent is unavailable to take the animal to the appointment, other volunteers will be made aware of the travel and can volunteer to take the animal to the appointment.
Volunteer at Events: Sinbad Sadie hosts many adoption events at places like Petland and Pet Supplies Plus. Volunteering to help with these events means helping with the animals at the events, talking with prospective foster parents, or even finding one of the animals a fur-ever home. Visit their website to learn about other upcoming events.
Touch a Truck and Pet Expo will held Sept. 26 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ponds of Summerville. If you would like to attend or help sponsor this event, visit their website posted at the bottom of the article.
Fundraise: Medical expenses and supplies do not come cheap. Volunteers help with raising funds to help treat and keep the animals healthy. Fundraising can happen with SSSCR, or you can start your own fundraising campaign.
Donations also play a big role in the operations of Sinbad Sadie. If you or someone you know is willing or wanting to donate, please visit their website (link can be found at the bottom of this article). Your donation will be tax deductible, but more importantly, you are saving a life.
With less than a year in operation, SSSCR has saved many lives and ultimately created happier families. Through the use of social media, SSSCR has expanded their reach and love to over 1,000 people. Whether they are posting pictures of animals available for adoption from shelters and foster homes or posting about adoption success, Sinbad Sadie stays in touch with their foster parents, donors and animal lovers.
As a pet owner and animal lover, I wish all rescues were as great as Sinbad Sadie. SSSCR also made me realize that all it takes is one person to notice an issue and turn it around to create a loving, caring and nurturing environment for those animals in need of a second chance. Instead of turning a blind eye, SSSCR made a change that will help thousands of lives.
Sinbad Sadie is doing wonders for the animal world. By saving these animals that would have otherwise been left to shelter life, SSSCR gives them a voice. No shelter should have to euthanize animals because of lack of space or behavioral issues. Every animal needs a home, and Sinbad Sadie brings them one step closer to their fur-ever home. All it takes is one person to stand up for what they believe in. Live, Love, Save Our Pets.
For more statistics regarding shelters and euthanasia rates, visit https://www.aspca.org/about-us/faq/pet-statistics.
To learn more about their principles, donations, events and adoptable animals, visit http://sinbadsadierescue.org/.
