Texas dogs find homes in Pa.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
The Allison family from New Castle – Ainsley, 9, mom Jill, Ashton, 10, and dad Matt – react to seeing their newly adopted dog, Cassie, as she comes off a temperature-controlled transport trailer from TracysDogs in San Antonio, Texas, an organization that rescues dogs from euthanasia at kill shelters near the Mexico boarder.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
From left, Nalene and Mike Bigley of McMurray meet Jake, a lab mix they adopted from TracysDogs. The dogs were delivered to Robinson Township by Scott Whyatt, right, co-founder and executive director of the organization.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Jill Allison greets Cassie, along with her daughter, Ainsley, and son, Ashton.
Nalene Bigley was still excited at the end of the two hours spent waiting with her husband, Michael – first in the humidity and rain of a Saturday afternoon, and then in the back of a suburban pet store – to adopt one of 60 dogs a Texas-based nonprofit had brought up in a trailer.
“This is our second time with TracysDogs,” said Nalene, who lives in Peters Township. “We did it three years ago and we love our dog.”
The couple were among some 200 people – including at least a few from out of state – who showed up at PetSmart in Robinson Township, Allegheny County, on June 23, when the nonprofit gave the animals it had rescued from pending euthanasia dates to new owners.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Rachel Saunders of Monroeville reacts as her fiance, Scott Sieber, is given kisses by their newly adopted 3-month-old Shih Tzu puppy.
Since its founding in 2011 by husband and wife Scott and Tracy Whyatt, the San Antonio group has rescued almost 4,500 dogs, according to its website.
So far this year, the group has transported dogs to “gotcha days” at PetSmarts in the Philadelphia suburbs, New York, Florida, Wisconsin and Illinois. Later this year, it plans another visit to the Pittsburgh area, this time in Monroeville, Allegheny County, in November.
Patricia McKenney was first in line, wearing a homemade shirt to greet Pearl, a Bichon poodle the couple planned to adopt. Patricia’s husband, Walter, carried a homemade sign with a similar message. To be there, the couple had driven some 400 miles from their home in the New York City exurb of North Salem.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Patty McKenney of North Salem, N.Y., made the drive with her husband Wally (not pictured) to the Petsmart in Robinson Township to meet Pearl, a dog they adopted. Co-founder Scott Whyatt, holding Pearl, drove 60 dogs from Texas to Pennsylvania to meet their new owners.
Pearl, a former breeder, was the second dog the couple adopted from TracysDogs. About a year and a half ago, they rescued one of the same breed named Chauncey, and the couple excitedly spoke of how they were planning a “wedding” for their pets.
Barring a canine immaculate conception, the arranged marriage would be a childless one. All dogs the group rescues are spayed or neutered, plus updated on vaccinations and other medical checks.
Those looking to adopt one of the dogs must complete a process that includes giving the group permission to complete a criminal background check and interview, and pay a $375 fee.
“It’s a pretty strict vetting process,” said Lauren Savage of Lower Burrell, Allegheny County.
She adopted her dog, Luke, from TracysDogs last year during an event in Eastern Pennsylvania, and now volunteers for the group.
On Saturday, she was helping out near the air-conditioned gooseneck trailer a crew from the nonprofit had used to bring the dogs from Texas.
Despite the higher fee, involved screening process and, for some adopters, longer travel, Savage could think of one major reason to rescue a dog from the group. Unlike the no-kill shelters that are common in the area, the animals TracysDogs rescues are about to be killed.
Nalene Bigley agreed.
“You feel like you’re saving a life,” she said.
The group also benefits from a partnership with PetSmart, whose locations it uses as to pass off the rescue dogs. The nonprofit’s extensive marketing presence includes Facebook pages to reach prospective new owners for animals it’s rescued and stay connected with those who’ve already adopted dogs.
At the beginning of the event, Scott Whyatt – who’d led the group transporting the dogs from Texas – had been handing them off behind the store. Several heavy bouts of rain forced the crowd inside, and the Bigleys were near the end of the line.
At one point, Whyatt appeared to recognize the couple, greeting them and asking, “How’s Thor?”
The Bigleys told him they call their Dane-Weimar mix Tucker now.
“He just didn’t look like a Thor,” Nalene said later.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Periods of rain didn’t seem to bother people or dogs during an adoption event for TracysDogs at Petsmart in Robinson Township.