No Kill mission spreading across Rockwall County

Ella_5 — It was obvious that Ella was ill as she left the Royse City animal shelter on April 11.

Ella was perfectly healthy on Tuesday, April 10. By the next day, the young dog was laying in a heap at the Royse City animal shelter, barely able to move. Ella had been stricken with parvovirus, an often fatal intestinal disease.

Ella_2 — Ella won her bout with parvo and has now been fully vaccinated.

The dog had one shred of hope. One month ago, her disease would have caused her to be put down immediately. But by this time, the local nonprofit Rockwall Pets had expanded its lifesaving mission throughout the county. Volunteers rescued Ella from the shelter and took her to Dr. Keith Webb at Pet Doctor, who gave her a 50 percent chance of survival.

The volunteers at Rockwall Pets had become used to this scenario. Their initiative that began in March 2011 culminated in a unanimous vote by the Rockwall city council to save at least 90% of all the animals that entered the city’s shelter system. That made Rockwall one of a half dozen Texas cities to achieve No Kill status last year. Rockwall Pets became one of five groups nationally to win a Henry Bergh Leadership Award from the No Kill Advocacy Center in December 2011.

Gucci_Adoption — Gucci, a dog rescued from the Royse City animal shelter, found a loving home with Debbie Rhodes of Heath. Photos by Michael Kitkoski.

The volunteers were far from satisfied. Even though Rockwall had gone No Kill – meaning only gravely ill or extremely aggressive animals are euthanized – Rockwall Pets moved to spread its lifesaving initiative across the entire county. Working with Tim Gause, the animal control officer at the Royse City shelter, the group began a weekly effort to remove doomed pets from the facility.

The pets are immediately transported for full veterinary care. Every animal is vaccinated, tested, altered and microchipped. Any medical problems are treated. Only then are the animals offered for adoption. Since the county-wide plan went into effect at the first of April, it’s been an instant success. Nearly 80% of the pets rescued from the Royse City shelter have been adopted. In fact, the only pets yet to find homes are still battling illnesses.

It couldn’t have happened at a better time for Ella. After five days of an intense program of fluids, electrolytes and medicine, she’s showing signs of conquering her parvovirus symptoms. Her tail is wagging, she’s going out for short walks and she’s even rolling over for belly rubs. Ella’s is another life saved in Rockwall County.