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A Final Wish, A New Beginning: 14 Shelties Rescued
What began as a heartbreaking discovery in South Jersey turned into a mission of compassion and teamwork that gave 14 Shelties the promise of brighter days.
The woman who raised them had spent years isolated from her family, quietly battling terminal cancer. When she entered hospice care, her final wish was that her beloved dogs would be taken care of. No one knew she had so many. No one knew the house had fallen into such disrepair.
Despite the filth, the painful mats, the overgrown nails, and the smell, these dogs were well-fed, gentle, and trusting. It was clear she loved them the best she could, even as her own life was falling apart.
With the help of Sarama Animal Rescue, New Jersey Sheltie Rescue, Northern Virginia Sheltie Rescue, South Carolina Sheltie Rescue, and the powerful network of the National Sheltie Rescue Association, her wish was honored. Our team drove through the night to meet rescuers in Monroeville, NJ, then transported all 14 dogs to safety—five to Northern Virginia Sheltie Rescue and nine to South Carolina Sheltie Rescue.
When the “Fab 5” Shelties arrived in Virginia, NVSR’s foster families were ready—tagging, collaring, documenting, and re-crating the dogs in a flurry of teamwork before heading off to their foster homes. Meanwhile, the remaining nine continued south, where volunteers at South Carolina Sheltie Rescue were eagerly waiting to welcome them.
The journey was only the beginning. Each dog required veterinary exams, vaccines, spay/neuter surgeries, and likely dental care—costing far more than adoption fees could ever cover. But thanks to the outpouring of donations, shares, and support, these Shelties were given the chance at the safe, loving lives they deserve.
To everyone who played a part—whether by rescuing, transporting, fostering, or donating—thank you. Together, we turned a final act of love into a new beginning.
