Happy tails – Jax gets a good home
In January Dog Control received information from the public about a dog assumed dumped down at a remote part of the beach in Hokitika. The dog had been seen chasing a ute earlier in the week, but when community members kept seeing it without an owner they realised that something was wrong. The power of social media was put into action to try and find the owners of the nervous dog who was too scared to go near kind people who were leaving him food. Once Clare Lomax, the Animal Control Officer received an official report she set out to collect him.
“On arrival, the dog, now named Jax, was happily playing with the finders’ dog and another visiting dog but was still very afraid of the two-legged people around. Armed with a bag of dog roll I soon persuaded him that not all people were scary and he was soon on his back having tummy rubs.
He was popped into the truck and taken back to the pound for checks to be carried out. Sadly no microchip was found and he didn’t have a collar or any other identification. He appeared to be healthy and was just nervous. The local police and vets were contacted in case of a missing person, accident or recognized by the vets but sadly this did not result in finding his original owner. After a holding period of seven days, Council was able to look for a new home for Jax.”
Following the social media interest, there were plenty of people who wanted to know what would happen to this beautiful boy. Over his week with animal control Clare worked with him, taking him on walks and introducing him to other dogs and places. “He was such a superstar,” says Clare.
During this time a lovely couple asked if he wasn’t claimed please could they be considered to be his new humans. They brought him blankets, toys and treats, knowing that if his owners did turn up, he would have to return to them.
His original owners were not found and no one claimed him, and Jax now has a new forever home with a big brother to show him the way.
“It’s so nice to be able to write a happy ending for Jax,” observes Clare. “Not all dogs have such an ending with pounds and shelters overflowing with unwanted pets right now. So if you are thinking of getting yourself a new member of the family please take time to contact your local rescues and pounds. There’s some very special animals that would love to go home with you. And if you already have a pet, please neuter them to help reduce the number of unwanted or homeless animals. Many charities will help you with the cost if you contact them.”
Jax on the right with his new brother.
Photo Credit – WDC
