Why We Care : Guest post by Tommy DeSanto

Editor’s note: Assistant Manager of Adoptions Tommy DeSanto recently shared an incredibly moving message via his personal Facebook account in which he detailed many of the animals he has come to know and love in his years working at the Richmond SPCA. With Tommy’s permission, we are re-sharing his words here.

Tommy with Guiseppe's adopters.

Peanut had cancer and was locked in a wire crate most of his life that caused scarring on his face. Autumn was adopted and returned eight times before we found her a permanent home. Roque was in heart failure and had diabetes. Dwight had severe stranger issues and took a lot of time to warm up to people. He waited years before we found him a home.

Binks had cerebellar hypoplasia which affected his motor skills and caused him to be unable to walk. Maestro had grand mal seizures. Giuseppe was diabetic and received insulin injections twice a day. Petrelli was born with megaesophagus and had to be fed in a standing position for the rest of her life or else she would aspirate. Earhart was chained to a rain barrel as a puppy and had multiple surgeries on his liver prior to being adopted by one of the veterinarians in Pennsylvania that assisted with his treatment.

David Blaine's eyes didn't naturally produce tears so he had surgery done where the salivary glands in his mouth were re-routed to his eyes. Setta had severe separation anxiety and had been returned for jumping out of windows. Elvis was paralyzed and wheelchair bound. Abdul had epilepsy and his urinary tract got blocked so his urethra needed to be re-routed. Maurice had Intervertebral Disk Disease and was on expensive medications to ease his pain and prevent paralysis. Animals from South Korean dog-meat farms, Kuwait, disaster areas, hoarders…

Setta was in our care for 5 years, and was returned 5 times before being adopted to her current home.

All of these animals found homes thanks to the hardworking staff and volunteers at the Richmond SPCA, and the adopters that walk through our front doors. I can't say enough about the people that walk those halls every day to make sure we can save as many lives as possible. We are committed to finding great homes for every pet that walks into our building. There are so many other wonderful shelters doing amazing work right now, but today I want to acknowledge everyone at the Richmond SPCA. I love you all like family.

Comments

[Maureen Sowle]

I also work at the Richmond SPCA in the Adoptions department. Tommy is key in helping run this department, and an amazing ambassador for every animal in our care.