Shelby Shopper Shelby NC
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/808329
"Cleveland County's Community Newspaper" 704-484-1047 www.shelbyinfo.com HOME GARDEN & H D M RD M R M R O A O A O A M D M R M R M AR O ARD OM Guide Guide Shelby Shopper & Info See Pages 17-24 Our 34th Year • Issue No. 14 • April 6, 2017 Free Free Hope's Chest Inc. honors its namesake It all began with Hope. In February 2004 Hope, a yellow Labrador Retriever, was hit by a car and left on the side of the road. When her owners were located, they could not afford to have her wounds treated – her injuries were severe and she needed a limb amputated. Euthanasia seemed the only option. "One look into her eyes and I knew she was supposed to be mine," says veterinar- ian Dr. Deanna Moseley Lawrence. "So I decided to adopt her... (and) she became my best friend." In June 2009, three weeks before Dr. Lawrence opened Hope Animal Hospital in Shelby, Hope had to be put to sleep – she had developed an aggressive form of bone cancer in her lower jaw. "She never gave up. She tried to be as brave and strong as she could be," says Lawrence. "It truly amazed me that even with the pain that she was feeling, she continued to try to be my 'Hope.' I had rescued many animals before Hope and many more after. They all have a special place in my heart. But Hope will forever be the one that I know God put in my life for a reason." That reason, at least in part, was Hope's Chest, a non-profit organization that, according to its mission statement: "...brings hope to homeless animals by helping them get the much-needed veterinary care they deserve and assisting them with their journey to find their 'Forever Home.'" "Basically the services we provide are to 'homeless' animals that are injured or sick or to abuse/cruelty cases directly from Cleveland County Animal Control," says Lawrence. During the 72-hour hold time at the shelter, Hope's Chest provides the animal with medical and/or surgical care. "If an owner comes forward and claims them, then we were able to help them not suffer while waiting for them to return to their owner," says Lawrence. If no owner comes forward or they are "owner surrenders," Hope's Chest provides the initial care while the Animal Control staff seeks to find an adopter from the community or from a rescue group that would be able to continue medical care. "In many cir- cumstances, we are the 'stepping stone' until an owner or rescue group is found to continue helping the pet," says Lawrence. "In some cases, Hope's Chest actually keeps them, and once they are rehabili- tated, they become available for adoption through our organization." Lawrence welcomes support from the community: Fundraising events are held throughout the year, and there are numerous items – from t-shirts to candles – available for sale at her clinic. She also appreciates donations of a different nature. "I have wonderful clients at Hope Animal Hospital that donate their unused medi- cations to Hope's Chest," Lawrence says. "Many of these medications come from pets that have passed away, so they are truly a gift. My clients helped create Hope's Chest tag line...'Pawsitively Paying It Forward!'" For more information about Hope's Chest, visit the organization's web site, www.hopeschestinc.org, or search for "Hope's Chest Inc." on Facebook. Hope Dr. Lawrence and Angel