Atlas’ Story: “Hope is HEAR”

Phoenix, Arizona (May, 2012) – Everybody knows somebody who has had to make hard choices during these tough times. In particular, the foreclosure rates in Arizona are extreme and an alarming number of innocent victims are dying with no voice or chance of survival. As families pack up and move away, some are locking their animals inside their homes with no open windows, or chained outdoors or in crates exposed to the heat and with no food or water resulting in slow agonizing pain and death for these family pets. Regardless of the circumstances, abandoning animals under these conditions is unconscionable, illegal, and something no living creature should ever have to endure. This is one of those heartbreaking stories.

He was named Atlas by the people who rescued him from the brink of death. Atlas was found simply by coincidence as a passer-by heard him crying inside a foreclosed, abandoned home in southwest Phoenix. It is estimated Atlas had been without food or water for a month. This once gentle giant was literally skin and bones.

Atlas was taken to the Emergency Animal Clinic, PLC (EAC) which has five facilities around the valley. The EAC proudly partners with Hope Emergency Animal Rescue (HEAR) to provide emergency and critical care to injured and sick stray animals at no cost to the rescuer 24 hours/day, 365 days/year.

Dr. Betsy Hershey, Integrative Veterinary Oncology (IVO) and her amazing staff, whose office is within the Phoenix EAC, compassionately took on the intensive care Atlas needed to survive. Atlas’s weight upon arrival was only 56 pounds and should have been closer to 150 pounds. Atlas is also being treated for chronic neck pain as he struggled to hold up his head while his body was withering away.

Even after his atrocious abandonment, Atlas is a very sweet boy who has been “wagging his tail and giving kisses” to all of his caregivers. Atlas has gained over 60 pounds in the past three months but he has a long road ahead and will need to continue treatment for many months to come. You can use the link below to see Atlas’ full story in our heartwarming and informative video.

Please help Atlas and other animals like him with a donation to Hope Emergency Animal Rescue (HEAR).

With our deepest thanks,

HEAR, an All Volunteer Organization

Atlas Update as of September, 2012…In September, 2011, Atlas was adopted by an incredible and loving family. He finally reached his full weight of 152 pounds. Recently, however, Atlas developed an unforeseen serious medical problem, megaesophagus, that eventually took his life. For Atlas and every life he touched with his courage, desire to live and enormous sweetness, saving his life seemed worth the risk that he might not make it. The love he received and gave back for more than a year equaled a lifetime. His human mom proudly refers to Atlas as her son. Through his inspiration, she is becoming a veterinary technician. Due to this turn of events, HEAR volunteers are even more determined and committed to build a new sanctuary for all the emergency rescues just like Atlas and so many others!

A FINAL NOTE:

Donations will benefit the HOPE Emergency Animal Rescue (“HEAR”), a 501-c-3 non-profit, one-of-a-kind organization with two primary missions:

(1) Helping injured stray animals that would otherwise be left to suffer and die in street of the Phoenix, Arizona areas. This is made possible by a unique partnership with the five premier valley-wide Emergency Animal Clinics (EACs) where the animals’ medical needs are met 24/7, 365/year by loving, critical care veterinarians and staff.

(2) Building a green, self-sustaining sanctuary for the aftercare and adoption of these rescued animals. Animals needing rescue and emergency care has tripled over the past few years due to the economy, foreclosures, abandonment, cruelty and neglect. Every contribution is so appreciated and needed. Thank you for your help!

Donate Now!