New Home For 'Emaciated, Neglected' Dog Rescued From Abuse

PECONIC, NY — It's the happiest of endings for Sunshine, an emaciated, neglected dog from Georgia, is one of 11 pups rescued and brought to the North Fork now looking for forever homes.

"This girl was part of a cruelty investigation in Georgia," Gabrielle Stroup of the North Fork Animal Welfare League in Peconic said. "She is such a trusting, sweet soul — even though people have been so horrible to her."

But now, the future for Sunshine is bright: Someone saw her story first on Facebook and then, read a Patch article about the pup's sad plight. They reached out to the NFAWL and an adoption is pending, with Sunshine expected to go home Saturday.

Weekly, Stroup said she and many and other managers and directors from shelters across Long Island receive emails from Georgia transport allies, containing folders with photos and videos of available dogs and cats from high-kill shelters in the state.

Each shelter can choose which dogs and cats they will take and then, a large transport is organized with multiple stops; representatives from Long Island shelters all arrange to pick up the animals they have chosen.

"Last week I was looking through a folder and saw this sad, emaciated picture of a dog named Sunshine. I read her story and I knew I had to take her and find her a home," Stroup said. "She had come into the shelter after a neglect case where eight starving dogs with horrible skin infections had been removed from a home."

All the other dogs had been taken by other rescues, Stroup said.

"Sunshine was in the worst shape and the oldest of the dogs rescued out of the situation. I put our name on her. Quickly I received an email from the director of the shelter, thanking me for taking Sunshine and telling me how they'd had her for 46 days and how they had all fallen in love with her."

The transport was scheduled for Saturday, June 19; the NFAWL driver met the transport van in the set location.

"We were set to take Sunshine and seven other dogs. We actually ended up with 11 dogs when another rescue that was supposed to take three dogs didn't have the space — so we took those three dogs as well," Stroup said.

Sunshine holds a place in the hearts of all who see her sad eyes, still so filled with hope, Stroup said. "Once meeting Sunshine you can see how much she's been through and it's amazing how much she still loves and trusts humans."

Staff is working on "fattening her up and getting her skin as healed as well as it can be. She is also heartworm positive and she will begin treatment for that next month. She loves other dogs," Stroup said.

Donations are being accepted toward Sunshine's care. To donate, click here.

Also, Stroup said, for anyone looking to adopt dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens, "now is the time. Stop by the shelter; we have plenty to select from!"

The North Fork Animal Welfare League is located at 269 Peconic Lane in Peconic and is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.