Public shows support for overcrowded animal shelter in crisis

ROSENBERG, Texas (FOX 26) - A white pit mix pulls in his leash. His new name is Whiskey, maybe, but it could just as easily be "Lucky."  He's moving from death row to easy street because Brooke Pink saw him on Fox 26.

"I love animals and I want to help them out. I hate to see them on the PUSH list," Pink said.

The "PUSH list" stands for Pets Urgently Seeking Homes, but in reality it's the "dogs about to die" list. Fort Bend Animal Shelter is overcrowded like many shelters in the area. The shelter is way over capacity, so some animals are being kept in crates in the hallways.  They might have to kill some to make room. The shelter is offering discounted adoptions to free up space. It's working--just not quickly, or permanently enough.

"We could do this every two weeks and were going to have the same problem because they just don't stop coming. We're entering into puppy and kitten season, so we're going to have a whole lot more," says adoption director Barbara Vass.

Enter businessman Randy Hartley. He's donating  $2,000 to the shelter for medical expenses for the dogs. If the public matches the money, he'll donate another thousand.  The money will go to spay, neuter, treat for heart worm, or anything--whatever it takes to increase a dog's adoptability

"Lets face the facts. The hard truth is the animal is sick. People don't want a sick animal," Hartley said.

He's taking it a step farther,  even offering to pay for a wheelchair for a little guy with paralyzed hindquarters so he can leave the shelter for his new home in Tomball.

Luckily, Whiskey was already good to go.

"Good. I have two others that I adopted from here, Labs, and  they're the best dogs ever,"  Pink said.

To donate to the challenge fund you can bring money to the shelter, but it's not tax deductible. You could also send to the shelter's non-profit at SOCA-FBC.ORG.