HUA Blog

In the summer of 2014 we received a call from people in a small town within an hour's drive of the shelter.  They said there was a Newfoundland living on a chain, and he was matted, filthy, and miserable.  They asked if we could do anything to help this dog. HUA representatives drove to thehome right away.  Big Boy Bear was chained to an old shed.  He had a huge collar around his neck attached to the heavy chain.  He had worn a dirt circle as far as the chainwould reach in an area of tall weeds.  He had a dog house that he could not get into.

On October 13th, thirty eight dogs flew into Nebraska City from a flood-ravaged parish in southern Louisiana. These dogs had been in overcrowded shelters and when the flood waters hit, rescuers were forced to hastily make room for newly displaced dogs who had some hope of finding their families. If not, our precious cargo surely would have been euthanized. This rescue was different for the folks at HUA--no sick and terrified puppy mill dogs, no dogs abandoned or dumped, or no cases of abuse or neglect.  We met a happy, silly, bouncy bunch of pups ready to conquer the world! 

On the morning of October 13th, the HUA shelter received 38 very special deliveries.  Thanks in great part to Captain Peter Rork, co-founder of Dog Is My CoPilot (DIMC), and Take Paws Rescue in Louisiana, we were able to save these precious lives from certain death in over-crowded shelters in southern Louisiana.  The disastrous floods in August left hundreds of thousands of people and animals homeless.  Shelters were already bursting at the seams and the devastation put them far beyond capacity.  Stories in the news spoke of fast rising river waters causing animal shelters to hastily evacuate.  Horrified workers had no choice but to release dogs from kennels to let them swim onto rooftops. Foster homes were flooded as well and good people who adored their animals were forced to flee for their lives. The passage of the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards after Hurricane Katrina allows rescuers to save pets as they would people, but the numbers were staggering.

September 29th was a beautiful day in central Nebraska, made even more so for HUA manager John and dedicated volunteer Trudy, who drove there to rescue 22 souls from lives of misery.  These precious dogs had finally escaped the horrors of a puppy mill.  The poor things were scared out of their minds but seemed to understand that help had arrived. 

Among the group were Yorkies, Dachshunds, Shih Tzus, Pomeranians, a Schnauzer, and a Bull Terrier. The puppy miller did not discriminate and bred whatever she could get her hands on.

An emergency call came in to the HUA office early last week.  A family living in a town just west of the shelter had to move unexpectedly, and they were forced to abandon their dogs.  To make matters worse, two of the three adult dogs were brand new mothers, nursing a grand total of nine puppies.  Human family members stepped in to help these little dog families and called HUA for assistance.  Staff members drove to the house where the big group of tiny babes was waiting and tucked them carefully into clean, comfortable kennels with soft blankets.  When they arrived at the shelter, the new residents were quickly surrounded by staff and volunteers wanting to get a glimpse. One litter appeared to be about four weeks old and the other only two weeks old.

Not much later, the family called the shelter for the second time.  A tenth puppy was on its way! The darling chocolate-colored fellow was given a bottle as soon as he arrived. He was then reunited with his mama, who was very relieved to have her brood all in one place.  We have dubbed them The Cowpokes and named all of the little cuties appropriately.