Wordless Wednesday - Lemon

We Are Lennox

Lennox

This time last week, hundreds of thousands of dog lovers around the world hoped and prayed that the Belfast City Council would spare the life of a dog condemned to death. Lennox, a mixed breed dog, was taken from his loving family, and held in solitary confinement for two years.  A lengthy court battle ensued, various dog behaviorists testified that Lennox was not a danger to the public, and sanctuaries in the United States offered to rehome the dog. Despite all of that, Lennox was killed. Not because of anything that he did, but because of what he looked like.

At the center of the dispute was a Breed Specific Law (BSL), which prevents citizens of Northern Ireland from owning Pit bull or Pit bull type dogs.  Although a subsequent DNA test showed that Lennox was not a Pit bull, the city used measurements and physical characteristics of the dog to enforce their ruling.

Sadly, BSL’s have often specifically targeted “Pit bulls”, American Staffordshire terriers, American Pit bull terriers, or dogs who may be none of the above, but share some of the breed characteristics. These laws are hard to enforce, costly to the public, and often punish responsible dog owners whose dogs have done nothing wrong.  The vast majority of the dogs that these Breed Specific Laws target are neither vicious, nor dangerous.  Blame it on misinformation, misperception, or media hype, but most of these dogs are good dogs who have gotten a bad rap. 

If you would like to adopt or foster a Pit Bull, you’ll always find an adora-BULL face or two at HSEC. Right now three of our residents are Pit bulls or Pit bull mixes - Blossom, Hadley, and Blue.

Blossom

Blossom has been at HSEC for 15 months. Blossom had a rough start in life. She was emaciated when found under a building with her puppies.  She gave them all she had, and almost paid the ultimate price for it. Luckily, things have really turned around for her. She is a gentle soul who loves to give licks, get tummy rubs, and take walks. Blossom’s skin still gives come clues to her hard beginning, but we hope you can look past that and see what a gem Blossom is. Blossom is housetrained, spayed, up to date on all shots, and would need to be the only dog in the family. Her adoption fee has recently been waived, and she’s waiting on her forever family!

Hadley

Hadley is a three year old who is full of life and full of love. She is very smart and very eager to please. Hadley loves attention and gets so excited when volunteers take her for a walk. Hadley is a pretty girl with soft fur that she loves to have rubbed. She would love to be a part of an active family. Hadley is housetrained, spayed, and up to date on all shots.

Blue

Blue is a beautiful grey male who was thrown out of a car onto our facility’s property in May.  When
we got to him, we found that he was in a lot of pain, and immediately took him to the vet. The diagnosis was a broken front leg and and a broken tail. The leg was put in a cast, but the tail had to be amputated. Blue has been in a foster home since May, and would love to find his forever home. He does not do well with cats, but is housetrained, neutered, and up to date on all shots.



There is nothing that we can do to change Lennox’s sad ending. However, there is plenty that we can do to change attitudes, perceptions, and laws that impact these innocent dogs. Breed Specific Laws are intended to provide peace of mind, but all they have accomplished is a false sense of security and the destruction of animals never shown to be dangerous.

Help us correct this injustice. Perhaps you can’t adopt one of these guys. That’s ok. You can foster. If you can’t foster, you can volunteer. If you can't volunteer, you can donate. If you can't donate, you can crosspost information on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, email, etc. You don't have to feel powerless - EVERYONE can help.

Blog Dog of the Month - Blossom

Happy February!! 

Meet Blossom, our blog dog of the month!

As you can see from her picture Blossom is one happy dog!  She always has a smile on her face, a wag in her tail, and lots of kisses to give!  She came to HSEC in the Spring of 2011 with her litter of three puppies who have all since been adopted.  Blossom was an outstanding mom but unfortunately she used up all her energy caring for her pups leaving her in bad shape.  When we first met Blossom she was very underweight and had a variety of skin problems.  Luckily we're happy to report that Blossom has recovered beautifully and all she needs now is her forever home!

We suspect that Blossom spent most of her young life having back to back litters of puppies and that this sweet girl suffered a good deal before she came to us.  Despite her rough start Blossom is a staff favorite because she's put her past behind her and loves just about everybody!  Blossom is currently in a foster home where she is learning to be the best dog she can be and we hope she'll find her forever home very soon!

Because Blossom is a pit bull mix and considered a "bully breed" the HSEC prefers that she go to a home with prior pit bull experience.  We also require a home check and vet check before adoptions can be processed and there are no same day adoptions for dogs like Blossom.  These policies are in place to ensure that our bully breed dogs are going to wonderful and safe new homes with owners who are truly committed to loving and caring for their new pets!

For more information on Blossom please visit our website or give us a call at (252) 413-7247!  Blossom has been spayed and dewormed, is up to date on all vaccines, and is on heartworm and flea prevention.  Blossom is a genuinely sweet and loving dog who deserves nothing but the best!

Woof!

National Pit Bull Awareness Day 2011

Happy Saturday everyone!  Today is a great day for animal rescue, it's National Pit Bull Awareness Day!

Today animal rescue organizations across the country are working together to raise awareness about the struggles and discrimination pit bull terriers face every day and unite against breed specific legislation.  For more information please visit Bless The Bullys website about the campaign. 

Pit Bulls are one of the most loyal and loving dog breeds, but also the most misunderstood; often associated with fighting and violence, an image the media tends to support.  Here at HSEC we'd love to show you just how wonderful pitbulls really are.  We currently have 5 pit bull terriers under our care and we'd love to see them get some special recognition today!  Below is more specific information about each of our pit bulls so if you have time please stop by the facility any time today between 1-5pm to give them some treats, a nice long walk, or a forever home!

Blossom

This sweet mama has been through a lot.  She came to HSEC early in the summer of 2011 with a litter of three pups who have since been adopted.  She is one of the absolute sweetest dogs in the world and as you can see from her picture she always has a smile on her face and a wag in her tail!  Blossom came to us severly underweight, covered in scratches, and with multiple skin conditions.  With some love from the HSEC staff and proper vet care Blossom has bounced back and is ready for her forever home  Blossom is definitely a lover, not a fighter!  She is at the HSEC facility today so come check her out!

Ginny

Ginny is a gorgeous brindle pit bull who loves attention!  She left for a temporary foster home this week to get some extra love but she is still very much available for adoption!  Ginny loves to go on long runs and she is also housebroken!  Ginny does not get along well with other dogs or cats so we want her to be in a one-pet household.  This sweet girl has been waiting a long time to find her forever home and we hope that happens soon :-) ***UPDATE*** Ginny has been adopted!

Hadley

Hadley is the newest bully to join the HSEC pack and unfortunately she is not available for adoption just yet as we finish caring for all of her medical needs.  Keep this image in your head though 'cause she's quite a looker!  We will keep you posted when Hadley is ready for some love in a new forever home!

Porkchop

Porkchop is currently the only male pit bull at HSEC.  He is still a young dog full of puppy energy who greets everyone with a smile!  His unique hazel eyes make him even more endearing and we hope you'll come out to take a look at him soon!  Porkchop has a classic bully build and when he's full grown is going to be so handsome!
***UPDATE*** Porkchop has been adopted!!

Wiggles

We've saved the best for last!!!  Wiggles is one of the friendliest dogs on the planet, we guarantee it!  She was rescued this past summer from an animal hording case, but you'd never know it!  She is a smaller pit bull but she makes up for it with her amazing jumping skills.  Wiggles LOVES to go on walks and when she's done she always has energy left over for lots of hugs and kisses!  Wiggles only struggle is that she loves too much, she has separation anxiety when her volunteer and staff friends leave for the night so we hope she'll find a special home with a big family who has lots of time to spend with her!



We prefer to adopt bully breeds to owners with successful previous bully experience. The adoption process for bully breeds involves a home check, vet check and possible reference check. There are no same day adopted for bully breeds. We want to ensure that all our pit bulls find the right homes and the right families. Come meet them today!

All dogs at the Humane Society of Eastern Carolina are spayed/neutered, up to date on vaccines, dewormed, and on heartworm and flea prevention. All dogs 6 months or older are tested for heartworms. Adoptions come with a small bag of Hill's Science Diet food and a free one month trial of pet health insurance. Call or stop by for more information!