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Owner Dumps Dog at Rainbow Dam in Great Falls

By KFBB News Team

Story Created: Jul 7, 2009 at 3:38 PM MST

Story Updated: Jul 7, 2009 at 6:50 PM MST

Meet Hannah. She is a one-year old German Wire Haired Pointer/Lab mix that loves to play outside and is always on the go. She is always up for a good ear rub or a run by the river. But you see, life wasn't always this good. Hannah's owner recently dumped her at Rainbow Dam, hoping she would find a new home. Ryder found Hannah and brought her to his sister Nichole's house. They couldn't believe that someone would throw her away like trash.

Nichole says, "Just taking the dog out in the country and leaving her irresponsible." Nichole contacted Hannah's vet, hoping to track down her rightful owner. Dr. Loran Keller was on the other end of that line. He says, "I contacted the owner the next day and asked her what the story was and she said that she couldn't handle the dog. It was driving her nuts. She was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. She didn't want the dog anymore."

Hannah is part of a growing problem. More people are giving up their dogs and cats for adoption or abandoning them, forcing them to fend for themselves. Leslie Raynes from the Pet Paw-see says, "This year, we've seen an incredible amount of telephone calls, people wishing to turn their animals into the Pet Paw-see. In June, we had 54 cats, 10 dogs, 2 guinea pigs, 2 doves and again those were animals we were not able to help."

Also not helping, the current economic climate. Leslie says more people these days are facing foreclosure and those that are looking to buy or adopt a pet need to understand the time and effort that goes with having a pet. Raynes says, "It's forever. It's a commitment. Cats are 15 to 20 years. Dogs are 10 to 15 years." Years that will hopefully be spent in the comfort of a loving home.

Hannah is now available for adoption. She's looking for an active family to call her own. If you are interested, call the Pet Paw-see at 761-0030.

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