Animal-saving group comes to South GA

"Paws for Hope and Faith" started to make sure dogs are not neglected or abused. And the group is in South Georgia.

An eight-month-old Great Dane mix named Smokey was supposed to be euthanized at the end of this week at the Terrell County shelter.

But thanks to the generosity of one couple, Smokey and the rest of the dogs at the Terrell County Animal Shelter will be spared, for at least another week.

"We have a document that we sign with the animal control officer that says while we are here these animals are pardoned, no animal gets euthanized while we are trying to get them homes for the next 7 days," said Shane Smith, "Paws for Hope and Faith" President.

Shane and Janet Smith started "Paws for Hope and Faith" last October after they rescued a dog named Hope who eventually died due to complications from being abused.

"He has a wonderful program, it began with a small dog, a small pit bull mix that someone had tied to a tree with a piece of wire, the dog was almost completely decapitated," said Martha Ann Coe, Animal Control Director.

Now, Smith wants to make sure no more dogs suffer. He travels around the country to different animal shelters pardoning dogs while trying to find them homes.

This week, he is in Terrell County, saving dogs like Smokey.

"His time is up, but he is an adorable dog and he is young and we hope that through this pardon with Mr. Smith and the paws for hope and faith that Smokey will be on that bus out of Terrell County to a rescue group," Smith said.

Their goal for this partnership is to find every dog at Terrell County animal shelter a new home by the end of the week.

"You know every dog is not a mutt, every dog needs love just like a person, there for we are trying to place these if we can because euthanasia is not the answer," said Smith.

The Smiths will take this week to document each dog at the shelter and work with other rescue groups to make sure no dog is left behind.

Click HERE to go to the groups website.

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