A golden retriever was on her way to be euthanized at Laredo Animal Care Services when she was saved by a rescue worker. The 8-month-old golden retriever, Darla, was on her way to the euthanasia room due to being "shy" and was being taken there in a wheelbarrow because she was scared and wouldn't move on her own, according to People.
Darla happened to pass by Clare Callison, the director of national operations for Austin Pets Alive!, an organization that rescues animals from euthanasia, while on her way to be euthanized — a coincidence that saved her life.
Clare said it's common for animals to be shy in an overwhelming shelter environment. Laredo Animal Care Services is an overcrowded shelter in Texas. When Clare saw Darla, she asked the employee some questions and found out that Darla was supposed to be euthanized. She then asked why.
"I learned that it was just because she was shy, which is pretty common in a loud shelter in a stressful environment," Clare told People. When she went up to Darla, she said that although Darla was indeed shy, she was also open and affectionate. Clare had Darla moved to a no-kill shelter: Mile High Lab Mission in Denver, a partner of Austin Pets Alive!
Darla flew to Colorado after her vet exam. When she arrived, she went directly to a foster home instead of the shelter. Darla is now having fun at her new foster home.
"The pictures and video we got of her are pretty incredible," Clare said. "We knew Darla would be fine, but it happened within minutes. She never wagged her tail in the shelter, but she was wagging her tail immediately at her foster home."
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Clare added that there are many dogs like Darla, and she hopes Darla's story inspires more people to help.
"If people want to help any shelter right now, they should foster. We feel that even if we had a 2% increase in fostering across the country, that would solve this problem. And not everyone can foster, so obviously there are other outlets, like adoption, volunteering, and donations," Clare said.
