Beau knows and he says go

Beau was a guest of the Cuba Animal Control at one point. He still can’t understand why know one want him.

Beau was one of Cuba’s misplaced dogs. He came into the county as a stray and bounced around for awhile. One lady’s kids though he could live with her. She didn’t want him. We first saw him when we returned from vacation–a  thin, big black dog with matted eyes who met us in our driveway.

The lady’s kids doctored his eyes, fed him, and he roamed around with no permanent home. They encouraged us to take him. We had one dog and one cat–that was enough.

Soon Cuba’s Animal Control was called. That’s when the kill rate was high. The dog was suppose to go to a rescue. But when we saw the officer a week later, he said the big, black dog was still there. Things didn’t look good for skinny Beau. Large black dogs don’t have a good adoption rate, and there was no real effort at soliciting adoptions at the time.  You can see this coming can’t you?

We said ok. The animal control officer brought the dog to our house in a very smelly container on the back of his truck. I don’t think that it was cleaned often.

Rehabilitation began for the dog that was now named Beau. A large outdoor kennel was built with a dog door with a flap into the basement. Beau tore up several flaps (purchased and homemade) before we just made a flap of wood. He was also trained with a collar and invisible fence so that he could have a little more roaming room. He visited the vet and was wormed, vaccinated, and neutered. His eyes were treated.

Beau went to obedience classes and earned his Canine Good Citizens Certificate. He likes to come in and watch TV in the evening. He has toys and a couple of beds. He has gained a weight and is a big dog. My husband says, “Beau is a good dog.”

Beau has been in the animal control system, and he found it scary and unsettling, and he doesn’t want to go back even though things are different now. There are two animal control officers and volunteers who work under the supervision of the Police Department and a city council committee. People donate food, toys, and equipment. The animal control workers have an active Facebook page about the animals and have adoption open houses. They follow up with photos of dogs/cats who have found their forever homes. They are constantly working to make things better for the dogs and cats of Cuba. But it still isn’t the same as having their own homes. That’s the ultimate goal: treat them well and make that second chance more of a possibility.

They seek medical treatment for animals with medical conditions like Beau’s eyes. They bathe animals that need it. They deal with victims of severe neglect and injuries. The facility is kept clean and the dogs and cats receive kind words when the workers are there and some treats. They have bedding and toys. An effort is made to find the owners if a dog or cat has just strayed from home. There have been big changes in the City of Cuba’s treatment of its misplaced animals. But it cannot continue unless we help. Here are some of their current needs and an upcoming event that will make a difference.

Update on needs list: Thanks to volunteers and donations, a used dog grooming tub was located, purchased, and installed, thus making the bathing of dogs at Cuba Animal Control easier for workers and volunteers.

Donation of product or money for these current needs can help the pets of Cuba Animal Control.

Cuba, MO Animal Control needs our help with donations, adoptions, and foster homes. And you can support events that support Animal Control’s efforts. like the one at Belmont Winery on August 10. The Vosses of Belmont love dogs and want to do their part to support Animal Control’s efforts. Beau doesn’t want to go back to Animal Control, but he supports their efforts. Beau says go. Please.

Attend this fundraiser benefit at Belmont Winery on August 10, 2013 to support the misplaced animals of Cuba.

This was a recent update on Cuba Animal Control page: 

Please come by and see if your loyal and loving best friend is waiting for you. $20.00 adoption fee for dogs, with free rabies vac and free spay/neuter certificates. Right now cat adoptions have no adoption fee, but you will get a certificate as well. Next month we will be adding an adoption fee for cats & kittens as well, so if you are interested in adopting a feline, now is the time.

Beau says that he has lots of cool things now, including a winter hat. He wants all the dogs & cats to have a forever home. He also wonders if he can get pictured in a mural?