PETA’s Community Animal Project Helped Over 100 Animals in March—See How

Every month, PETA’s Community Animal Project (CAP) team is out in the field in southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina delivering much-needed attention and affection to neglected animals—and March was no exception!

That month, CAP rescued a litter of unhealthy puppies, saved a cat who’d been forced to live inside a crate for years, and did so much more. Check out some of our most recent cases and the lifesaving actions we took:

Spay Day, Spay Day!

Technically, our Mobile Clinics Division’s annual Spay Day was held near the end of February, but the Spay-a-Thon event was too huge of a success not to mention here. We were able to spay and neuter 102 animals in just one day!

Ace

Ace received a desperately needed PETA doghouse to replace the useless plastic carrier he’d been given as shelter, and he was moved out of a flooded area of the yard.

Gizmo

We found severely matted Gizmo locked inside a filthy crate. We rushed him to a nearby veterinarian, where he was sedated and shaved. The dog weighed only 7 pounds, and his mats weighed 2 pounds! We managed to have his owner sign an agreement stating that she wouldn’t acquire any more animals in the future.

After spending a week at PETA’s shelter and receiving some much-needed TLC, Gizmo was transferred to the Norfolk SPCA, where a loving and patient family decided to adopt him.

Ringo and the Rest of the Beatles

Ringo and three of his littermates received free roundtrip transport to and from their spay and neuter appointments.

Joker and Sam

Our fieldworkers also transported a feisty dog named Joker to and from his neuter appointment free of charge. Sam—another dog from North Carolina—got a free ride to the clinic as well.

The Lovely Lady

After fieldworkers transported this little pup to her spay appointment, we dropped off a brand-new PETA doghouse to replace the flimsy plastic one that Lady had had to depend on for protection from the elements.

Murfreesboro Pups

By happenstance, we stumbled across a residence in which a litter of lethargic and dehydrated puppies were languishing. We were able to persuade their owner to turn them over to us—then we got them out of the cold and into safe hands at the Norfolk SPCA, where they were treated and are bouncing back.

Miss Kitty

While picking up a dog for his neuter appointment, we discovered a cat locked inside a crate. According to her owners, she had been confined to it for the past seven years! We had a heart-to-heart with Miss Kitty’s owners about quality of life and were able to get the cat out of there and transferred to the Norfolk SPCA.

Rich Square Kitten

We found another cat confined to a barren wire crate in the middle of a rural backyard. All this kitten wanted was to live inside with the rest of the family, but every time she tried to come into the house, she was thrown back out. To stop her from sneaking in, her owners started keeping her in a crate. Thankfully, we were able to get her surrendered—and she’s currently awaiting adoption, thanks to our friends at the Norfolk SPCA.

Angel

Angel was suffering from an uncomfortable ear infection, but her guardian was unable to get her veterinary care. We transported her to our mobile clinic, where she was treated.

Cujo

We took Cujo to get neutered and also gave this big boy a free PETA doghouse to replace his rickety plastic house.

Bone

Heartbreaking tragedies often befall cats living outdoors. Bone was brought to PETA for euthanasia after a neighbor complained that he’d been injured. He had a massive, gaping wound on his face that was rancid and infected. Animal control officers visited the home and required Bone’s owner to do something to alleviate this cat’s suffering. That’s when PETA stepped in to give him a dignified and peaceful exit.

Penelope

We found Penelope chained to a garbage can. This pup is leery of people, so she’s currently staying at PETA’s shelter, where she can start to feel comfortable and get some much-needed loving care before being put up for adoption.

The North Carolina Hoarder

PETA was contacted by a sheriff’s department in rural North Carolina after nine dogs were rescued from a terrible hoarding situation. Their elderly owner had been in the hospital for over a week, leaving the animals without any care in an absolutely filthy, ammonia-ridden and feces-filled trailer.

Eight dogs had been barricaded into two rooms so cluttered with random objects and garbage that they had no floor space. An elderly, aggressive dog—who’d been reduced to functioning as a cheap alarm system for the property—was found alone outside, chained to a nearly collapsed barn.

Two of the dogs were heavily pregnant, and another one has a congenital defect that leaves him unable to walk normally. The rest were suffering from skin-related ailments—and all of them reeked of waste and were thrilled to have baths.

We were able to network with two of our wonderful shelter partners to take eight of the dogs. Meanwhile, our fieldworkers “negotiated” gently with the old, aggressive dog. He was given two good walks, some meals, and a peaceful exit. His must have been in terrible pain, as the roots of both his lower canines and all his incisors were exposed. He was flea-infested, too, despite the cold weather. Rest in peace, old boy.

PETA fieldworkers also accompanied the deputy and the department’s crime scene investigator back into the residence to ensure that no animals had been left behind, as the trailer will be condemned.

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These cases are just the tip of the iceberg—our CAP fieldworkers encounter many animals each week who are in vital need of help.

You, too, can make a difference for animals.

When you see animal abuse, please always try to stop it or at least report it. Remember: Adopt, don’t shop—and have your animal companions spayed or neutered. You could also volunteer at your local animal shelter or rescue center and ask local government officials how you can help get laws passed that would require animal-care standards and ban tethering, breeding, and the selling of animals in pet shops. Click below to learn more and take action: