Yesterday, I wrote about two adorable pit bull mixes that desperately needed a new home. Other bloggers picked up the story, NytroGirl and FeeFiFo both put up wonderful posts, and people have been asking me what happened.

Today, I learned that both of the dogs were adopted and I called up Sherry, the person listed on the email I had received, and whose number I posted on my blog post. Sherry is an animal control officer for the city of Hartford, CT. Every day they pick up stray animals, sometimes as many as ten in a single day. It costs the city of Hartford $18 per day for each dog they have at their shelter and so animals not adopted in the time required by law are killed.

Since July, the pound has been the temporary home for around 280 dogs ranging from chihuahuas to pit bulls. Some types of dogs get adopted more quickly than others, and unfortunately, pit bulls, which often have a wonderful temperament get passed over because of stories about pit bulls that had been trained to be fighters.

When a dog is approaching their last days at the shelter, Sherry reaches out to anyone who will help spread the word. Scott Haney of WFSB, Channel 3 highlights the dogs during the morning news weather report. Sherry also reaches out to rescue groups and websites like Help Save One and Flora’s Pet Project. This email got forwarded around until it ended up in my lap.

In the case of these two dogs, the female was adopted by a family that had adopted another dog from the same pound eight months ago, and were looking for a playmate for their dog. The male was adopted by a family from eastern Connecticut who has named him Monkey and given him a great new home.

When I asked Sherry about how we can better deal with the problems of abandoned animals, her first comment was to make sure that your pets are spayed or neutered. Beyond that, if you, or anyone you know, is considering getting a pet, check with the rescue societies and local pounds. Especially check with the pounds of the nearest largest cities, since animals there may be the most at risk. Sherry has a website about the pound listing pets for adoption.

She also a website, Hartford Dog Pound with lots of valuable information, links and success stories. Hopefully, we’ll hear more about the two dogs that were just adopted on that website soon enough.

So, while the two dogs that caught everyone’s attention yesterday are now safe, abandoned animals continues to be a problem and pounds around the country are looking for good homes to some lovely animals. So, if you are looking to get a pet, or know someone who is, make sure they check the pounds and the local rescue societies. Then, when they get a pet, make sure the pet is spayed or neutered. I’m glad that Monkey and his friend have new homes, and I hope some of their old friends from the pound find new homes soon to.