b"Humane Society of the Nature Coast Success Stories.The Right Place.continued from previous page.Huckleberry was found emaciated for a microchip, which showed his Withonly12kennelspacesfordogs,movingin the woods of northern Florida. ownerlivedtwohoursawayin adoptables expeditiously is essential in order toHe was transferred from Animal Marion County., said Athanassie. make room for more dogs from the states over-ControlofWestFloridain When we contacted the owner, crowded county shelters. Thats where the rescueChipley to the Humane Society she told us that her dog had been groups really help make a difference. We could-missing for more than six months. nt do what were doing without the help andShehadalreadyhadtheheart- resources of our rescue group community, saidbreakingconversationwithher Dina.granddaughterthatLeroywas InadditiontothefacilitysCatCottage,goneforever.Hadhenotbeen which may house up to 60 cats and kittens at amicrochipped,thatverywell time, adoptable cats are also available at local areacouldhavebeenthecase. This pet businesses within Hernando County.serves as a reminder of the impor- There are plans to build a newer, larger shel-tance of keeping information on ter on property currently owned by the Shelter.microchips up-to-date. However, those plans are a couple of years and acouple of million dollars away from being real-Zulicametotheshelter ized. viaHernandoCountyAnimal We hope to eventually use that land, butServices.Shearrivedscaredand right now we are looking at adding on to thisproperty,said Athanassie.ImmediateplanscalloftheNatureCoast(HSNC) for a new cat compound at the existing facility.where he was adopted. When his Groundbreaking is scheduled for early 2016.newadopterbroughthimfor Dina has a strong history as a vocal propo-obedience training, the instructor nentforanimalwelfare,whichiswhatwe'verecommendedHuckforsearch alwayspromoted,saidLisaJudge,Humaneand rescue training. Huck and his Society of the Nature Coast president.owner,SteveOates,arenow Athanassies responsibilities include fundrais-involvedwithBoondocksK9 ing,eventplanning,communityoutreachandSearchandRescue outof veryuncomfortable.Shehada communications. Educating the public about theSumterville,Florida. Thevolun- severe case of Demodex, a type of communityscontinuingneedtosupporttheteer organization provides services mange,withthickenedskinand shelters efforts, means getting out and meetingtotheRedCrossandFEMA significant hair loss. With the help new people, which she obviously loves doing. Onnationwide. of the shelter staff, she transformed occasion,shemaynotimmediatelyconnectafromascaredpupinpaintoa name to a face, but is still quick to engage. SuchLeroy was micro-chipped, and that happy puppy with a tail that never was the case during a recent trip to the grocerymade all the difference. When two stopped wagging. She was adopted store. As she was walking up to say hello to a gen-women found a Shih Tzu wander- by a couple. tlemansheknewsherecognized,butwhoseing along busy Spring Hill Drive name had escaped her, he turned is head slightly,inHernandoCounty,they jarring her memory. It was the man who had bidagainstherforBacon,thepig.Thistime,Athanassiethoughtitbestnottoengage,andkept walking. UHumane Society of the Nature CoastY 7200 Mobley Road, Brooksville.352.796.2711HumaneRescue.orgRooterville Animal Sanctuary, 5579 DarwoodStreet, Melrose, FloridaEmail: piggyparade@aol.com; Call 386.661.2287scoopedhimupanddelivered Rooterville.orghim to the shelter to get him out Boston Rescue of Florida - BostonRescueFlorida.orgof harms way. We scanned him54THE NEW BARKER www.TheNewBarker.com"