BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – South Florida rescue groups and shelters are overwhelmed by a surge in abandoned dogs, a troubling trend that has intensified in the years since the pandemic ended.
Many owners, facing financial or personal struggles, are leaving their pets to fend for themselves, often with dire consequences.
Sweet Potato, a French bulldog found emaciated and near death in a Broward park, is one of the lucky ones.
“She was found in a park, she was a stray, whatever happened didn’t happen overnight,” said Amanda Zimmer of Tri-County Animal Rescue. “The condition she is in now had to happen over months, even a year.”
The rescue team discovered Sweet Potato’s severe medical issues, including a broken rib and air outside her lungs. She was too fragile for surgery and could only receive antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications.
“She couldn’t stand on her own, and when you held her, she just fell into your arms,” Zimmer said. “We knew we had to do everything we could.”
Sweet Potato’s recovery has been slow but promising. Small, frequent meals have helped her regain one pound, and her personality is beginning to shine through.
“She looks much better now than when we got her,” said Paul Christopher Motz from the rescue team. “She’s gained a little bit of weight.”
Despite her struggles, Sweet Potato’s resilience has inspired her caretakers.
“Even when she was sick, she was still sweet, she still nuzzled against you,” Zimmer said. “Now she loves the sun and going for walks.”
Not all abandoned animals have Sweet Potato’s happy ending. Rescue groups often play detective, piecing together medical histories and behavior patterns to help abandoned dogs.
“Dumping a dog is bad enough, but it only becomes harder for the rescue groups or the shelter,” said Local 10′s animal advocate Jacey Birch. “They don’t know the dog’s name, age, medical history, or personality before they were dumped.”
Zimmer emphasized the importance of saving pets and sharing their stories.
“Is there anything cooler than saving an animal’s life?” Zimmer asked. “Even if you share the story on social media, you had a part in that animal living and succeeding.”
Sweet Potato is now up for adoption, and Tri-County Animal Rescue offers low-cost veterinary services and a food pantry for pet owners needing assistance.
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