Social media attention ultimately leads to help being provided — dog is safe
By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
After a person who could no longer keep her pet said on social media she intended to put her dog down if it was not adopted, a local animal advocate is speaking out about options for pet owners who can no longer keep their animals.
The dog was rehomed safely, but the post created a stir on social media after being featured on “Ellis County Fails.”
Lisa VanHorn, an animal advocate, provided assistance to the pet owner.
While VanHorn said the person who made the post was “very wrong” in the way she approached the situation, she hopes in the future others can try to get the whole story first.
“Instead of people going, ‘OK, let us get her the help she needs because they are on hard times,’ ” she said people were quick to post negative comments. “It got very out of hand.”
While the posting continued on Facebook and VanHorn was looking for a solution, the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office investigated and ultimately found the pet was safe.
“The Facebook post was taken out of context,” said Ed Harbin, Ellis County sheriff. “They were trying to surrender the dog, and they were informed the dog would have to be put down because it had bitten someone.
“The dog is alive and well, and it wasn’t what it was portrayed to be,” he added.
VanHorn said, “She was at wit’s end, she was desperate.”
While VanHorn assisted in the final rehoming of the pet, others had also reached out to assist the family. However, they struggled to secure a meeting with the owner. This lead to commentary on social media that the pet was in danger.
VanHorn did not believe that was the case.
“I honestly feel that she did show up at these places and just chickened out because she did really love this dog,” she said.
While some in the community were quick to judge the family, VanHorn praised the community’s concern for the pet’s welfare.
“It just all fell into place. I couldn’t have done it without everyone’s help,” she said.
On the rise
VanHorn said people asking for money to save a pet is becoming more common, but can often be avoided.
“It seems to be a trend to pull at people’s heartstrings,” she said. “She is not the first, and unfortunately, she is probably not the last.”
VanHorn said in Hays there are options for people that are struggling to keep a pet.
“People fall on hard times. It happens to all of us, and we would rather see that animal stay in that home then go to the Humane Society or a rescue,” VanHorn said.
While this situation found a positive resolution, that is not always the case VanHorn said, especially when families fail to consider how a pet may fit into a new family.
“That’s a lot of the problem with the dogs we get in,” VanHorn said.
“We hold our breath every time an animal is showcased on a show, just like ‘101 Dalmatians,’ ” she said.
“Everybody went out and bought a Dalmatian for their kid, and then when they found out some Dalmatians are deaf, they have a certain temperament, then rescues and humane societies were flooded with Dalmatians.”
However, in situations when a pet must be moved out of a home, there are options in the area.
“In Ellis County, your best bet would be to call out to the Humane Society. There may be a waiting list, but … to find a home or go into a rescue, Betty [Hansen, animal shelter manager] is wonderful,” VanHorn said.
Local veterinarians might also assist a family in need.
“If they can’t take that animal in, and normally they don’t … they have phone numbers for all the rescues, so they will at least give you a phone number of where to go,” VanHorn said.
And, as seen in this case, the community can also assist.
“There is a group of us, you see us on Facebook, you know our names. We are the ones asking, ‘What do you need?’ ” VanHorn said. “We will help you with a bag of dog food until you get on your feet. … We will help you get its shots, or your license down at the city. Just reach out to us and say, ‘I just need help.’ ”
Animal Control in Hays can also be beneficial to families that may be struggling with a pet.
“I can’t say enough about Nikki Houser with animal control,” VanHorn said. “She will bend over backward to help you.”
In general, if anyone needs help VanHorn said the best option is to seek support.
“The help is out there. That’s what makes it so sad. You don’t need to threaten that you are going to shoot a dog or put a dog down if you don’t find a home for it,” she said. “Just ask for help. There are plenty of us out there.”
For families needing support, VanHorn said they should consider their approach in order to avoid negative feedback, especially in a small community like Hays.
“If she would have gone on any of the social media and said ‘Hey look, I’ve fallen on hard times. I really need placement for my dog. I would like to have this for a rehoming fee,’ people would have bent over backward for her,” VanHorn said.
Hays Post reached out to the author of the original Facebook post but did not receive a response.
A list of local veterinarians can be found by clicking here.