Abused Louisiana Dogs Find Forever Homes in Nebraska

By: Kim Eiten - Email

Updated: Wed 5:53 AM, Sep 19, 2012

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In July, a local animal shelter called it the worst case of abuse they'd ever seen, drawing support from across the nation.

Now, those rescued dogs are on the road to recovery.

It's been a long road, and one much longer than most pets looking for a place to call home.

For Sissy and her pups, the 983 mile journey from a chick coop in Louisiana to Start Over Rover in Hastings was life saving.

"Their spirit and how they heal and how they respond to the love they've been getting, it's so rewarding," Start Over Rover's Anne Halbert said. "You just can't hardly even put it into words."

But, that trip wasn't without its challenges.

When the rescuers found Sissy, she was nearly decapitated.

Her pups were missing limbs and eyes, pecked at by chickes, flea ridden and suffering.

It was a desperate situation and an expensive one.

"The people who have come to give them love and to give them support, it's been wonderful," Halbert said.

The story of Sissy and her babies touched thousands. Halbert said the outpouring of support, money and time, came from across the country.

But, all of the dogs' forever families came from right here in Nebraska.

"They have a chance at a normal life now, so it's wonderful," Halbert said.

Now, she said, they're getting calls from all over from people looking to adopt.

"We have a lot of people who follow us from throughout the United States now, and we have people who call who want to adopt our dogs from other states," Halbert said.

And, she said they have people calling asking for help to change and save lives like those of Sissy and her pups.

Currently, all of the puppies but one have been adopted. Sissy is also waiting on her forever home.