Become a Second Start Sponsor Today!
Meet some of our rescues:
Click on each photo to read their story.
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Bideawee's Second Start Program is a lifesaver to the dogs and cats in municipal shelters, whose time has sadly grown short. Bideawee is able to bring many of these innocent four-legged friends to one of our adoptions centers, thereby giving them a second start on life, another chance to find a new home.
If you would like to help rescue animals in need of a second start at life, please become a Second Start sponsor today. Thousands of animals in need of help will be rescued through your generosity. Bideawee's rescued animals thank you for supporting this vital program that saves lives every day.
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Macaroonback to top
Macaroon, a two-and-a-half year old hound dog, arrived at Bideawee in August 2007, along with 27 other dogs. All of these dogs were scheduled to be euthanized at a shelter in Virginia and were rescued by Bideawee for a second start at life. Although we were only expecting 18 new arrivals, our staff nonetheless leapt into action and began the rehabilitation of these animals to get them ready for their forever homes.
Macaroon was clearly a scavenger, immediately diving for a garbage pail instead of a dog bowl. Upon his arrival, Macaroon had no manners, did not know any basic obedience commands, and could not walk on a leash. He had severe scarring around his neck from an embedded collar and had been shot at by a BB gun - showing clear signs of abuse and neglect, which has understandably left him with some physical and psychological issues. In addition, Macaroon also had a growth on his front foot that was causing him discomfort.
With the help and persistence of our dedicated staff, Macaroon is now taking daily leash walks and car rides and happily plays with the other dogs in our kennels. He works with the behavior staff every day and now has a grasp on basic commands and boundaries - though the garbage pail is still pretty tempting!
The growth on Macaroon's foot was removed by our veterinary staff and he has since healed completely with no limitations on his activities.
Macaroon is a handsome boy who still works every day to become the best dog he can be.
Coconutback to top
Coconut was found as a tiny kitten on the side of the road in the Bronx, alone without a mother or siblings. He was displaying common signs of malnutrition. His body was emaciated and turning a muted grey color.
Despite being ill in the noisy city shelter, he was perky and bright-eyed the day Bideawee staff visited, on a mission to rescue through our Second Start program. Kerrie McKeon, Bideawee's Feline Behavior Coordinator, was immediately drawn to this skinny kitten's bright eyes and feisty personality, choosing to rescue him from an uncertain end by bringing him back to Bideawee.
Upon his arrival at Bideawee, our veterinarians noticed that Coconut was displaying yellow pigment changes, typical signs of liver disease. After a complete examination, the doctors discovered that his liver was close to shutting down completely. Normally, a cat in this condition would become less and less energetic and then pass away, but Coconut continued to eat, play, and charm our staff with his handsome eyes and strong will to live.
Coconut recovered in our veterinary practice for six weeks and received behavioral support to ensure that his time as a patient did not in any way hinder him socially. Now super active, he demands a lot of attention and exercise. His malformed paws, with pads on top of one another, do not hinder him from doing other cat activities such as using the scratching post (or at least attempting to!).
"Coconut (now known as Leo) is doing great," says his new pet parent, William. "He fully made himself at home in my flat almost immediately and now it seems as if he has complete rule over the place. He is a fantastic and very affectionate little kitten who now welcomes me at my door when I return home in the evenings from the office. Leo (aka Coconut) has discovered my aquarium and enjoys sitting perched up on the couch just watching the fish during feeding time."
Kyleback to top
In some parts of the country, pet over-population is so severe that some shelters euthanize approximately 80% of the animals that come through their doors. Such is the case in Newport, TN, where we found Kyle.
Thanks to Second Start sponsors, Kyle was rescued from a "high-kill" shelter and brought to Bideawee to be given a second start at life.
The country puppy adjusted quickly to life in the big city, relishing his strolls down First Avenue and the accompanying attention from Bideawee's staff and volunteers, as well as from all the adoring passers-by. Kyle even made an appearance representing Bideawee on television!
Thanks to Bideawee's Second Start program, Kyle is now living in his loving forever home.
Chesterback to top
Chester is a doll of a cat. He is as sweet and as social as can be; he had clearly been someone's cat at another point in his life. While living in Bideawee's cageless cat resorts with other adoptable felines, he was the most popular guy around - the other cats gravitated to him and he, in return, just adored their attention.
Chester attracted the humans too, giving a soft "meow" whenever someone would enter the room.
One day, Chester melted the heart of a volunteer, who just had to adopt him and they now live happily ever after.
It's hard to believe that before coming to Bideawee, Chester had been found alone, living on the street. He was brought to the a municiple shelter where this charming and lovable cat's days were numbered - like all animals in a city shelter; Chester was facing the threat of euthanasia.
Oogieback to top
Oogie is a goofy, fun-loving four-month-old spaniel-mix puppy. Before he came to Bideawee, he was living in a "high-kill" shelter where 80% of animals are euthanized. Oogie was so stressed by the situation that his hair was beginning to fall out! Oogie's future was looking bleak: when people came through the shelter, they passed him right by, assuming the hair loss meant he was sick.
Bideawee staff saw the spirit in Oogie's eyes and knew he deserved a second start. His hair is now growing in beautifully, he is healthy, and he is as happy as can be.
Thanks to our Second Start sponsors like you, Oogie got the second start he needed and has made the perfect addition to a loving family!
Travisback to top
Travis was rescued from a city shelter, where he had been suffering for some time with a broken leg. We had no way of knowing how this break happened, but we could see it was causing him discomfort and pain. It was clear this cat would need surgery, so his chances at finding someone willing to take the chance on him, despite his sweet temperament, were slim.
Once at Bideawee, our expert medical staff went to work, surgically repairing his broken leg in no time. His adopted family has brought him back for follow-ups and we feel lucky to be able to see his complete recovery.
Hoochback to top
Hooch's former human companion lost his home and was forced to bring this big puppy to the local town shelter when he was no longer able to care for him. Hooch's story just broke our hearts, so we rescued him and found him a loving forever home in no time - actually, just in time for Valentine's Day! I guess you can call him lucky in love.
Noelback to top
Noel was very shy and scared when we rescued her, right around Christmas, from a town shelter. We do not have any way of knowing how it happened, but she is missing her left hind leg from the "knee" down. Based on certain indicators, like how she will try to scratch with that leg despite the amputation, we believe that this was not a birth defect, but something that happened to her - possibly a result of abuse. At first, she was nervous with staff and the other animals at Bideawee, but eventually began to break out of her shell. Once you pet her and she lets herself go, you can truly see how beautiful she is.
Thank you for giving Noel, a cat scared enough to be easily passed by in the crowded city shelter, a second start to find love, care, and the security she needs to be truly happy.
Elliotback to top
Elliot was rescued at approximately 4-years of age. He is a handsome, friendly, and regal boy. Through Bideawee's Second Start program, he was rescued from a city shelter where he was found as an unneutered stray, most likely cast-off by a backyard breeder.
Elliot had an upper respiratory infection when he came to Bideawee that was so severe he had to go through an unusually intense treatment, which included hand-feeding, for several weeks. Elliot recovered beautifully and now has a second start in a home with a loving family.
Thanks to our Second Start sponsors, Eliot was rescued and brought to Bideawee to be given this second start at life.
