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Chesapeake, The Comeback Kid.
Nearly 8000 animals will come through the doors of Cincinnati Animal CARE this year, and each and every one of them will receive individualized care from our dedicated team, committed to providing them with unwavering love and care, on their journey to adoption.
But we can't do it without you.
Meet Chesapeake, The Comeback Kid.
What happens when a little white dog arrives at the Hamilton County Animal Shelter with a minimal chance of survival? Lifesaving.
WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH
In July, Chesapeake, a little white dog, was brought to Cincinnati Animal CARE by a Good Samaritan. He was in critical condition and unable to stand or lift his head. He weighed a skeletal 4.6 pounds, and his frail body was marred by severe wounds in his stomach and back, infested with thousands of live maggots. Despite his grave condition, his fighting spirit shone through, and our team immediately sprang into action.
Our Medical Director, Amanda Gilbert, named him Chesapeake and brought him home to provide intensive, round-the-clock care. Amanda fostered this gentle soul for nearly a month, helping him inch toward recovery one day at a time.
Chesapeake's journey powerfully illustrates the impact of compassionate, comprehensive, and individualized care. Severely neglected, he arrived with wounds matted painfully into his fur and suffering from sepsis due to extreme malnutrition. He was in critical condition, but his life was saved through the dedication and care of Amanda and the medical team, with blood transfusions, antibiotics, and gradual nutrition via a feeding tube to stabilize his fragile system.
Temporarily paralyzed in his back legs, we developed a custom physical therapy plan, and he was fitted with a wheelchair, restoring his mobility. His recovery reflects Cincinnati Animal CARE’s commitment to giving animals individualized treatment and a real chance at life—even against the toughest odds!
THE TOUGH GET GOING
Going beyond the norm isn’t easy, and we can’t do it alone. Thanks to your support, we save and transform lives daily here at the Hamilton County animal shelter. Chesapeake is just one of the thousands of animals we serve in our Northside shelters each year, receiving compassionate, tailored care for a healthy, happy future.And for many, it’s their first experience of true kindness.
Our commitment to sheltering a different way remains unwavering. As the only open-intake, no-kill animal shelter in Hamilton County, we provide lifesaving care that goes far beyond the basics. Through fostering, adopting, volunteering, and donating, our community makes this mission possible, ensuring animals receive the love they deserve—one life at a time.
CHESAPEAKE'S TRANSFORMATION
Chesapeake survived horrific neglect, but he’s now thriving in a loving adoptive home as “Butters,” with a big, joyful personality that shines. His story, while remarkable, highlights the preventable cases we see every day. Beyond shelter walls, we offer our community pet food assistance, affordable veterinary care, and resources for families in crisis, to support the community that supports us.
IF NOT YOU, THEN WHO?
Will you be a hero for the 634 animals in our care today? Your gift will sustain the critical efforts that saved Chesapeake and countless others, providing essential care and hope to homeless animals across our community.
Hamilton County is our home, and it's their home, too. By supporting Cincinnati Animal CARE, you are directly supporting the homeless animals of Hamilton County, animals who are counting on us to work together to provide them with the care they need and an opportunity to find a loving home. With your generous support, we can make a difference in the lives of countless animals right here in the county we call home.
Thank you,
Carolyn Evans
Executive Director, Cincinnati Animal CARE