SAN ANTONIO — Our "Forgotten Friends" series showcases a dog or cat each week that has spent a lengthy time at an area shelter, just waiting for someone to notice them and bring them home to love.
This week, we meet a five-year old Staffordshire mix named Mia who was saved from certain death at the city shelter by the folks at the Animal Defense League (ADL).
"Mia came in as a transfer from the City of San Antonio Animal Care Services (ACS) where she was surrendered by her owners in October of 2023," said Animal Defense League shelter staff. "She's your typical brindle block head, the kind that easily get overlooked."
Shelter staff all agreed that there was just something special about Mia.
"She's got the biggest, sweetest brown eyes," said ADL staff. "The staff at ACS saw it too and brought Mia to our attention. As soon as we met her, we knew that Mia deserved a chance to find her happily ever."
Staff said that even though she had just lost her family, she just calmly wagged her tail and looked at them with her big brown eyes, trusting they would take care of her.
After she arrived at ADL, the staff noticed she was having some trouble getting around, and seemed to be favoring one of her back legs. They did some diagnostics and found that Mia had torn both of her cruciate ligaments. She was a model patient during her treatment, then surgery and has now almost fully recovered.
"She's still taking it easy a little bit because she recently had knee surgery on both of her knees," said ADL staff. "Everything is healing well though and she no longer has any restrictions. That being said, zooming too much tires her out pretty quickly."
Mia gets along great with other dogs, especially puppies. She's super patient and a good teacher of how to be a well-mannered canine. She likes calm, adult dogs who like to just chill out with her, too.
Shelter staff think she would be a great addition to any family, with or without kids. She likes to go for walks but is also happy to just be a cuddle bug, and hang out inside with you and relax.
"Mia is as laid back and sweet as can be," said ADL staff. "When you first take her out she is interested in exploring and sniffing but once that is out of her system, she just likes to be by a person."
Mia keeps her kennel nice and neat and is really just a demure, very mindful lady. She loves food and treats and is always interested in sharing a snack. She adores being petted.
"She can almost always con someone into sharing treats with those eyes of hers," said ADL staff. "She does have a really big, deep bark which can be scary to people, but don't let that scare you off! She's a total sweetheart."
MORE PICTURES OF MIA
Mia has waited over a year for someone to give her a loving home | Forgotten Friends
Mia is healthy, spayed and current on all of her vaccinations. She is taking some supplements to help keep her joints healthy.
"Mia just deserves a chance at a forever home," said ADL staff. "She's been so resilient despite everything she's gone through, like losing her family, coming into the shelter, then having surgery. And through it all she's stayed the sweetest girl."
And best of all there's no fee to make Mia a part of your family in time for the holidays.
That's because the ADL is waiving all adoption fees until November 30, so now is the perfect time to choose a pet to love. And ZERO adoption fees means you can spend more on toys, beds, and treats to spoil them in their new home. Free adoptions will continue until December 17, thanks to Bissell's Empty the Shelters.
If you want to help ADL rescue and treat more pets in need, they will ask for a monetary donation in lieu of the adoption fee for these pets. Every bit you donate contributes to saving the next life of the abandoned, abused, or neglected pets in our community that we see daily.
You can fill out your adoption application by CLICKING HERE.
For whoever adopts Mia, Lucy's Doggy Daycare & Spa will be lending a paw by offering them a free "Glow Up" Day at the Spa, which includes a massage therapy bath and Pawdicure. One of Lucy's most cherished core values is to continue Lucy’s legacy of giving back to pups in need, as Lucy herself was a rescue!
The ADL says this year alone they will save the lives of over 6,500 dogs and cats, many of which will require multiple specialized surgeries costing thousands of dollars. You can help by donating to their PAWS for a Cause Emergency Medical Fund, which plays a crucial role in this mission.
Maybe you're not quite ready to adopt a dog, but still want to help out. Why not try fostering a dog. ADL will provide all of the food and supplies that you will need, and even take care of all of the medical. It's a win-win situation for both you and the dog or cat. They get a loving home, and it doesn't cost you a dime. CLICK HERE to become a pet foster parent.
Do you love animals and want to make a difference by volunteering? The Animal Defense League is always in need of volunteers in various areas. There is sure to be something for everyone! CLICK HERE
Want to help but don't have the time to volunteer or foster? Consider sponsoring a pet. This program allows you to assist ADL with their expenses in getting the pet adoption ready as each pet on average costs about $272. CLICK HERE to sponsor an animal.
The ADL also hosts bi-weekly free pet vaccination and microchip events for pet owners. Find out more about them by CLICKING HERE.
Here are some other ways you can help out the pets at ADL:
ADL tells us that what they need most, besides fosters and adopters, is soft dog treats, XL Kongs and pate wet dog food.
Hours of Operation:
- Nacogdoches Campus
11300 Nacogdoches Rd.,
San Antonio, TX 78217
Open Daily from 11am to 7pm - PAUL JOLLY CAMPUS
210 Tuleta Dr,
San Antonio, TX 78212
Open Daily from 11am to 7pm
Normal adoption fees are as follows:
- Dogs: $75.00
- Puppies under 6-months: $150.00
- Cats: $40.00
- Kittens under 6-months: $125.00
You can contact ADL at https://adltexas.org/contact-us/.
Remember when you adopt a shelter pet, you save two lives... the one you bring home with you and the one that now will be saved because the shelter has more room.
If you know of a Forgotten Friend that has been overlooked and is still looking for a "furr-ever" home, contact Andrea at acarden@kens5.com.