The early bird gets the dog
By SUSAN ERWIN

ASSISTANT ENGLEWOOD EDITOR
ENGLEWOOD — Eileen Mcveigh has been fostering dogs for ‍EARS Animal Rescue Sanctuary for the past three months.

Mcveigh was caring for Titan, a 5-year-old miniature pinscher, while ‍EARS volunteers worked to find a new permanent home for the dog.

On Saturday, Mcveigh brought Titan back to the shelter to meet his new owner, Linda Kinkeade.

“The moment I saw him in the paper I knew I wanted him, so I called right away that morning,” Kinkeade said. “They (‍EARS) said they had already received several calls about him, and that I should come for a visit as soon as possible.”

Kinkeade headed right to the shelter to visit Titan, and it seemed like the two made a perfect pair.

After a couple of vaccinations, Titan was waiting for Kinkeade to pick him up on Saturday.

“He’s such a good little dog,” Kinkeade said as she held the min pin. “I can’t wait to find out if he likes water, and I’m going to make a special area in the yard where he can play and dig.”

Judi Winant, volunteer coordinator at ‍EARS for years, wrote a blog called the “Plight of the No-Kill Shelter,” a story about Whitney, a 7-year-old cat who has been at the shelter for almost four years.

“The story is to prove that we will not kill any animal to make room for new ones — it isn’t fair and it isn’t right to do that,” Winant said.

Winant was the first foster volunteer at ‍EARS, and strives daily to get people more signed up to foster animals that are waiting in the shelter for new homes.

There are currently about a dozen kittens waiting at ‍EARS for new owners.

“We have two litters, and they are all hand-raised babies that were bottle-fed and are 9 weeks old now and ready to go,” said Bobby Austin, ‍EARS volunteer. “They all get along together so well, and it’s just a riot to watch them play.”

‍EARS is reaching out to the community to donate pet food for the rescue’s pet food bank. Food bank levels are at an all-time low, but the demand for pet food continues to rise. All pet food may be dropped off at 145 W. Dearborn St., Englewood. Monetary donations may be dropped off or given over the phone via credit card by calling 941-681-3877.

Low-cost microchipping, pet bathing, nail clipping and professional grooming services are offered the last Saturday of each month at ‍EARS.

A “Krazy Biker Kats Bike Fest” fundraiser is planned from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 6 at 262 S. Indiana Ave., Englewood.

There will be a barbecue, vendors, live music, raffles and a bike show.

For more information, visit www.ears4life.com  .
SUN PHOTO BY SUE ERWIN


Eileen Mcveigh, left, sits with Linda Kinkeade and Titan, a 5-year-old miniature pinscher, at EARS Animal Rescue Sanctuary Saturday afternoon. Mcveigh has been fostering Titan for the past two weeks, and Kinkeade oÿcially adopted the dog Saturday.