by Joseph Riloquio
Joseph Riloquio is an Administrative and Humane Education Assistant with Valley Animal Center in Fresno, California. VAC shares their animal rescue adventures with us every month. Check out KRL’s interview with VAC to learn more about what they do.
Sascha is a three-year old female American Staffordshire mix who came to Valley Animal Center in January 2017. Though many of our pets have amazing stories of how they came to our family of adoptables, Sascha’s is truly special.
When one rescue is in need, another is there to lend a helping hand. Sascha came to Valley Animal Center all the way from North Carolina! She was originally rescued from a dog-fighting club by a rescue called Charlie’s K-9 Camp, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. We are very thankful that she was rescued before she was ever forced to take part in the fighting. She then stayed with her rescue family at Charlie’s for two years while searching and hoping to find her forever home in North Carolina.
Sascha
Sadly, after being unsuccessful in finding a permanent home, the shelter decided that a change of scenery was the best thing for Sascha; so it was off to California and a new home with us at Valley Animal Center.
Sascha’s trip out west was full of exciting adventures! She traveled over the Appalachian Mountains, chased squirrels along the Mississippi River, and dodged rattlesnakes in the desert. When she finally made it to Fresno, she found a giant welcome party waiting for her as soon as she entered our gate. The moment as she leaped out of the car, she saw welcome signs created by our staff and volunteers, new adoptable dog friends, and special treats. It was so important to Valley Animal Center to share this special moment with the community, that her big entrance was streamed on Facebook Live!
Since Sascha’s arrival, she is adjusting well and is also enjoying her time in the California sun. She loves our big dog runs over at the Dog Park, and is known to run non-stop for half an hour playing fetch with the tennis balls before she tires.
We continue to care for Sascha here at Valley Animal Center and we hope to find her the perfect forever home very soon! She would love a big backyard where she would have plenty of space to run and play. Due to her complex background, Sascha is a bit shy at first, but also very sweet and loyal when she gets adjusted to new friends. She has an affinity for women, is very high energy, and would be great as a companion to an athlete or a family with kids. It would be best if Sasha went to a home where she will be the only pet.
If you are interested in adopting Sascha, please feel free to contact Valley Animal Center or stop by to meet her any day between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Keep up with VAC’s animal rescue adventures here at KRL, and learn more about adopting from them, volunteering, and donating to VAC on their website If you advertise with KRL you can designate 10% of your ad fees to go to VAC.
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So sorry my state of NC failed this girl. Hope Sascha finds her home out west.
This is a lovely and positive story, and how exciting a welcome did she get!! Oh I wish I could adopt her but NZ is quite a walk!
Good luck and may fortune find you the best home ever!
Aww, so glad that she’s been given a second chance in a new place with lots of extra special attention. 2 years is a terribly long time to wait in a shelter. I truly hope she find a loving home soon. Best wishes Sascha!
Sasha is so beautiful! I sure hope she finds the loving home she deserves soon. Sharing to help her.
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Oh I DO so hope she finds a home. The anti bully laws in Canada are awful so I do hope it works out for her further south.
Aww, Sasha, I hope you find a wonderful forever home very soon.
I am not surprised that she was unable to find a new loving home. Here is the South we have so many sweet dogs just like her in need of help. Thank you for taking her in and promoting her so that she can find the perfect family. She looks so sweet and I love her coloring. Good Luck Sascha. I hope your next update is letting everyone know you are happy in your forever home.
Thank goodness you were able to rescue her! It sickens me that people fight dogs. They are evil!
Sascha has such beautiful eyes. She has lived quite a life – her trip sounds west sounds wonderful. I love that she had so many adventures along the way – probably more than most people.
Our fingers and paws are crossed that she finds the perfect home soon. I will tweet this post as well.
I’m so glad that she was saved from dog fighting! I hope she is adopted soon. She sounds like a great dog.
Sascha took the opposite trip that I did — I went Cali > NC, and she went NC > Cali! I am sure the good people of California will take good care of you Sascha!
Sascha is very lucky to have found such an amazing team. I sure do hope she finds the perfect forever home. She has a great smile.
I hope the change of scenery helps and she finds a new home. Two years is a long time!
Hope Sascha finds her forever home. In the meantime she has a place that’s safe and she feels loved.
What a heart warming tail(tale) about Sascha. I am so glad that Sascha was rescued even before she became a part of the dog fighting racket. I hope she finds a wonderful home because she has waited long enough. Hats off to the people that never gave up on her.