Golden Retriever Transported In Wheelbarrow To Be Euthanized Gets Second Chance
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A Texas shelter was overcrowded and had to make the difficult decision to put down animals that were difficult to adopt.

A very shy golden retriever named Darla was on that list.

She was one of the lucky ones rescued at the last minute.

Read on to find out how that happened.

A big problem in Texas
In Texas, the shelters are overcrowded. This is very sad because many dogs have to be euthanized. This is because the shelters have too many dogs and there are not enough spaces for them. This problem is getting worse every year.

A report by the Best Friends Network says Texas had the highest number of euthanized dogs two years in a row.

Darla’s unfortunate situation
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Austin Pets Alive!
Darla was one of the dogs in danger of being euthanized. She was shy and found it very difficult to live in the shelter. Due to lack of space, the shelter had to make a difficult decision. They had to choose some dogs to put to sleep to make room for others.

Unfortunately, Darla was on the list to be euthanized.

In July 2023, shelter staff tried to take Darla to the euthanasia room. When she realized where she was going, she became frightened. Her legs gave out and she could no longer walk.

The employees carried her and put her in a wheelbarrow.

Heroes
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Austin Pets Alive!
That day, members of Austin Pets Alive, a nonprofit that saves animals from euthanasia, visited the shelter. They came to the shelter to take some dogs and save their lives.

Clare Callison, who works at APA, was also there that day.

As they walked through the shelter, they saw a frightened Golden Retriever. Darla was in a wheelbarrow, about to go to the room where dogs were euthanized. The people at APA! knew they had to save her.

Jordana Moerbe, shelter director at APA! said, “We had to get her out, we had to rescue her. We hope she can crawl out of her shell and become the happy puppy she deserves to be. That’s what all the animals at the shelter deserve and that’s what we work so hard for.”

A happy twist
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Austin Pets Alive!
Darla was saved from death that day. When Clare Callison touched her, she saw something special in Darla’s eyes. She saw that even though Darla was shy, she wanted love.

Darla received a full medical examination and was found to be only an eight-month-old puppy. APA! contacted another rescue organization called Mile High Lab Mission in Denver, Colorado. They found a wonderful family for Darla.

A new beginning for Darla
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Austin Pets Alive!
When Darla met her new family, she did something she had never done before in the shelter – she wagged her tail. She was finally happy and no longer afraid. Clare Callison said: “She was a completely different dog now.”

On Aug. 9, 2023, it was announced that Darla had been adopted by a loving family. She now lives with a family that loves her with all their hearts. We wish her a life full of love and happiness.

A happy ending
Darla’s story shows us that even in difficult times, there are heroes like Austin Pets Alive! who work hard to save dogs like her. We are so glad Darla got a second chance at a happy life.