Give an animal a second chance, please consider adopting from your local shelter!
Amber’s Story
Amber in her cage at the Highland Village Animal Shelter.
Meet Amber
Amber is a two year old Pit Bull mix. She was found on the side of the road in South Texas, nearly dead. She was starving, dehydrated, and covered in sarcoptic mange (a mite related skin infection).
Amber was brought to the Highland Village Animal Shelter in early April 2009. At almost any other shelter, Amber would have been put to sleep. She had a highly contagious skin infection, and because she is a Pit Bull, is less likely to be adopted. Many shelters usually only budget for food, water, and shelter. An animal with medical needs is difficult to accommodate. Fortunately for Amber, she got a second chance.
Meet Michelle
Animal Care Officer Michelle Burke delivering an animal trap.
Michelle Burke has worked as a Highland Village Animal Care Officer for the last two years. When Amber arrived at the shelter, Burke started her on antibiotics and steroids to treat the skin infection. Within one week Amber began showing significant signs of improvement. She began gaining weight and playing in the yard when she was taken out. “She is getting better and healthier,” Burke said. It was clear that Officer Burke had fallen in love with Amber in the short time she had been in Highland Village. “I can’t part with her,” Burke said. “Unless she is adoped.” Burke has adopted several animals from the shelter over the years. Burke’s rule, “If I’m not willing to take [the animal] home, I can’t expect anyone else to.”
About the Shelter
The Highland Village Animal Shelter is not a “no-kill” shelter. Burke said the shelter will euthanize animals when all of the kennels are full or an animal is to aggressive. She estimated between 15 and 20 dogs are euthanized each year, which she said is low, compared to surrounding shelters. The Highland Village Animal Shelter differs in other ways, too.
The shelter offers medication to most of the sick or injured animals they find. They purchase special food for animals with stomach problems, and Officer Burke gives the animals treats to reward good behavior. Burke said the shelter is often willing to split an animal’s medical cost in order to get it adopted.
Treatments that Highland Village Animal Shelter Approves:
- Broken Legs
- Mange
- Heart Worms
- Upper Respiratory Problems (Kennel Cough)
However, as hard as she tries to get all of the animals adopted, Burke said she has never had so many animals in her shelter as she does now.
The Highland Village Animal Shelter has ten cages. Burke currently has nine dogs in the shelter. “People can’t afford to keep their pets,” Burke said. “Instead of taking them to the local shelter, they just let them go.” Burke has seen many more animals on the street recently while patrolling. “More often than not, when an animal is on the street, it’s because people can’t afford them anymore,” Burke said.
What Michelle Wants You to Remember
Burke has been an animal care officer for the past ten years, and she still loves her job. “I do have a heart, and it’s broken daily,” Burke said. “But then it gets rebuilt.” Burke encourages anyone looking for a pet to adopt from a shelter. They are just as good pets, and you’re helping save an animal’s life.
Meet Amber
Meet Michelle and the Gang
Pictures taken Tuesday, April 7, 2009.
Please contact Highland Village Animal Shelter for updates on the animals in the photos at 972-317-6551.
Graph Statistics from Aug. 2007
