Katrina Victim Dogs in

Need of Friendly Homes

By Ahmar Khan

HOLLYWOOD -- At least two of the 100 dogs that were shipped from disaster struck Louisiana last October are still in search of homes in the area.

The two dogs are Chessies and Katie, both about two to three years old. One is a male Pit Bull mix and one is a female Boston Terrier Pit Bull mix. 

“They have been in our care since October of last year and we are anxious to find a good home for them,” said Susan Pearce, owner of Chesapeake Pet Resort in Hollywood.

Both are very active, said Pearce. “We would like them to go to a good home with a loving family where they would serve as a family pet, and live inside the home, rather than strictly outside,” she said. Both are very friendly, however, some interested in them are turned away because they are Pit Bull Mix, she said.

Chessies and Katie were shifted from New Orleans to Monroe, Louisiana, and later to Philadelphia. The Countryside Kennels in Owings volunteered their resources to transport and care for these pets that arrived in Philadelphia last October. At their own expense, Countryside Kennels transported many of these pets to several kennels in the Southern Maryland, including Chesapeake Pet Resort, Pet Paradise Kennels in Leonardtown, and Interlude Kennels in St. Leonard. The Pet Paradise Kennels in Leonardtown assisted with coordination of the pets arriving at her facility, Pearce said. 

 “They have been through a lot no doubt, and our goal is to find them a comfortable home environment as a family pet.  They are free to a good home pending review of our application we wish to have completed by any prospective new owner,” she said.

Pearce said she would appreciate any donations towards their care that anyone may wish to contribute to cover their lodging, feeding, and veterinarian expenses to date.

Katie, a black colored female, loves to snuggle and run around so she needs lots of room to run in a fenced yard.  She would make a great snuggle pet.

Both dogs have a great personality and are fun to spend time with. Chessies is the brown colored male who is very active and jumps very high.  “He might not do well in a home with small children as he still needs basic training and does play bite on occasion,” said Pearce. 

She said both dogs are very strong and active so we feel they would be best in a home with a fenced yard and lots of room to run around.  “We have been working on basic training with both dogs, who have successfully learned to "sit" upon command with treats,” she said. 

Pearce said both will need to be housebroken, however, as they have primarily been in kennel environment here at Chesapeake Pet Resort.  “They have been allowed to play in our outdoor play yards several times a day, as we do with our regular pet guests, but they would like to find a nice couch in someone's home to rest on during the day instead of the kennel environment, no doubt,” Pearce said

Pearce said both are very healthy and up to date on their shots, monthly heartworm treatment, both are negative for heartworms, and regular treatment for fleas and ticks with Frontline.