Sally the Gardo's motel rescue dog

01/18/2026

Sally likes her groceries as many of you are aware lol and her time on the street with everyone stopping in to give her food (I'm so grateful for those that did) has made her picky ... She knows the difference between people, food and dog food, and she knows the sting of betrayal when you don't share your food. 😂 She has some of the typical pitty allergies so we are working on finding food and snacks she likes that causes less of an allergy flare up. I have met her and I don't know if she will ever let us take her off chicken fully. Lol ❤️🐾

12/15/2025

Rutherford County, NC — We need real solutions.

Why are so many animals being abandoned or allowed to roam here? And why is everyone pretending this isn’t a crisis?

Animal Control and Heart of the Foothills are overwhelmed — through no fault of their own. They cannot be the only solution, and blaming them helps no one. This problem starts with irresponsible pet ownership and lack of accountability.

For nearly a year, roaming dogs have been destroying property in our area. We’ve spent our own money feeding them and trying to keep them warm. We’ve tried to help, tried to find homes, tried to coexist — and it’s not sustainable. And even if these dogs disappeared tomorrow, more would take their place. That’s the real problem.

So what are residents supposed to do?
Let animals starve or freeze?
Shoot them?
Dump them elsewhere and make it someone else’s problem?

None of those are acceptable.

This is a community and leadership failure, not an animal control failure.
We need:
• Stronger enforcement of existing laws
• Accessible spay/neuter resources
• Consequences for repeat offenders
• County leadership willing to acknowledge and address the problem

If you’re a community leader, speak up.
If you’re a neighbor, get involved.
If you own animals, be responsible.

Because regular people cannot keep carrying the cost — emotionally, financially, or morally.

Enough is enough. 🐾

12/14/2025

In Rutherford County, North Carolina, I have witnessed firsthand the dire consequences of unregulated pet population management. Our community is suffering as a result of the lack of accountability and the appalling way animals are treated. It breaks my heart to see innocent animals abandoned, neglected, and roaming the streets, their lives often cut short by preventable conditions or accidents.

Currently, there are no mandatory spay/neuter and microchip laws in place, leading to an overwhelming number of abandoned and stray dogs. This problem is exacerbated by irresponsible breeding practices and the existence of many unaltered dogs, contributing to an ever-growing population that our shelters struggle to manage. Moreover, this situation burdens our shelters, which often lack the necessary resources to care for an increasing number of pets, resulting in many adoptable dogs facing euthanasia simply due to lack of space.

We need to act now to control the pet population humanely and protect these innocent lives. By implementing mandatory spay/neuter and microchip laws in Rutherford County, we can ensure that pets are traceable and that breeding is done responsibly. These measures can significantly reduce the number of stray and homeless animals, ease the burden on local shelters, and ultimately, provide a better quality of life for the animals in our community.

I propose that fines be imposed on those who choose to breed dogs without proper licenses and for anyone found with unaltered pets who are not part of regulated breeding programs. This will create a sense of responsibility among pet owners and ensure that pets have safe, loving homes.

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), spaying and neutering can help control the pet population and prevent various health issues in animals. Additionally, microchipping improves the chances of returning a lost pet to its owner by over 50%. These are proven methods to mitigate the challenges we face.

Please join me in urging our local government to implement these necessary laws for the welfare of our beloved animals in Rutherford County. Your signature can lead to a change that will save countless lives and transform our community into a responsible and compassionate space for people and pets alike. Sign this petition and help make Rutherford County a place where animals are treated with the care and respect they deserve.

https://www.change.org/p/implement-mandatory-spay-neuter-and-microchip-laws-in-rutherford-county/exp/cl_/cl_sharecopy_490926188_en-US/7/1076718527?recruiter=1076718527&recruited_by_id=9adc45a0-7ffa-11ea-9b55-cb4187683366&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=share_petition&utm_term=starter_onboarding_share_personal&utm_medium=copylink&utm_content=cl_sharecopy_490926188_en-US%3A7

12/10/2025

12/08/2025

The dog magnet effect is real! 😂 It's a puppy pile every time I sit down! 🤣 Mamacita has also taken to following me to the bathroom and trust leaping into my arms. 🤣😂 These dogs are crazy but I adore them. ❤️❤️❤️

12/04/2025

These dogs lol 🤣❤️

11/30/2025

It's cold so the kids wear their sweaters lol Sally is not a big fan, so hers doesn't last long ... She ends up flipping herself on her back and getting stuck because she is chunky and trying to eat it off herself. 😂😂

11/29/2025

It has been a crazy few months between my sons battle with startle epilepsy, my messed up foot that landed me in a fracture boot for weeks, and Sally not being the "new dog" in the house anymore. So I figured I'd give you all a life update! Sally is doing great, and is settling into life with a little sister. ❤️ She has officially been in the house longer than she was on the street and I'm so grateful for the people who helped her and loved her.
Mamacita is sisters name, she was dumped in ellenboro for over 8 months and had the most wonderful personality, she ended up wiggling her way into our hearts.