Cleveland, OHADOPTED! September 26, 2013
This pair hid themselves in a remote area away from people until they could be captured.
Melly and Mandy were found running in Tremont, together, on a hot August afternoon. A person spotted the two dogs, notified us that the dogs were running north on Scranton and one of our volunteers headed out to follow the pair. The dogs made it to an alley and held themselves up in a wooded area to rest. Our volunteer, Amanda, was able to secure them, give them some water, and notify authorities of there whereabouts so they could get taken to the Cleveland Animal Control facility. Both dogs were terrified but were successfully captured and brought to safety.
We followed up on them and Amanda and Melissa, both active volunteers at Secondhand Mutts, networked them on Facebook to try and find a rescue to commit to taking them in. An out-of-state shepherd rescue wanted the dogs evaluated for temperament, a common practice for dogs with no known history, so Amanda and our founder, Becca, visited the two dogs at the city kennel to assess them.
We were able to get them water to drink before their ride to the city kennel.
During their assessment we determined the dogs were very gentle, loving, kind souls. They were separated from each other but were placed in kennels facing one another so they could see each other. Amanda and Becca each took a dog after the one-on-one evaluation and reunited them for a short period before having to return them to their cages. It was our assessment the dogs were probably mixed with husky but they certainly look a lot like White Shepherds. The rescue group was notified that both dogs passed their temperament tests with flying colors and if they decided to pass on taking the two in, Secondhand Mutts would step in to help.
Days passed at the kennel, no owners came to claim them so their time there was going to be limited due to a lack of space. The staff at the kennel felt the dogs were unapproachable despite our our testing and the two were put on “the list” to be euthanized. They were given through the weekend to find a rescue to represent them. We heard this news and immediately acted. Foster mom, Melissa, was able to pick Melly and Mandy up at the kennel on Saturday, Sept. 7th, take them on their “freedom ride” to our facility to get vaccinated, and then onto get flea baths and cleaned up to stay in her home. The dogs welcomed Melissa with open paws. Later, Amanda met up with the dogs and she will be taking them to Gateway Animal Clinic for full examinations. 
We do know that Mandy, the larger female with brown eyes, is in heat. Both dogs need to be spayed and we suspect they will be sick with a common kennel cough most dogs get that come from the street and end up at city shelters. We will treat them for whatever they need, heartworm test them, socialize them and find them a home TOGETHER.
This is an extremely bonded pair. We feel it in in the dogs best interest and our mission to ‘Respect the dog’ by placing Melly and Mandy in one home. We are currently seeking a foster home for the dogs to transition to. They are comfortable at Melissa’s house, but this is a temporary foster as she already is fostering our dog, Sam, who has been looking for a forever home for a few months. If you are interested in fostering please email us at fosterdogs@secondhandmutts.org. A forever home is always best and we do foster-to-adopt for approved applicants.
We are not a traditional shelter, we are a cage-free facility. All dogs are temperament tested and must get along with other dogs to stay here. Appointments must be made in advance to meet our Secondhand Mutts. Please call 216-664-9660 or email rescue@secondhandmutts.org to set up a time. We are closed on Sundays. We prefer to adopt to local families but will consider long distance adoptions.
2013 Dog Adoption Fee: $300 – For both dogs
Adoption fees cover your dog being fully vaccinated, heartworm tested, spayed or neutered, health checked, temperament tested, micro-chipped and socialized
Great work by our volunteers Amanda (left with Mandy) and Melissa (right with Melly)!
