It was late July when Deputy Mindy Pietras spotted a stray on the side of a road. She could tell something wasn’t right with this dog and when she finished her shift, returned to find a dehydrated, malnourished, puppy with a limp.

The Pietras family brought him to their vet, who determined this pup to be between 16 - 20 weeks old and suffering from an irreparably broken leg in need of an amputation. Unfortunately, this stray pup was not wearing identification tags and had not been microchipped, so the Pietras dubbed him Joe.

Three different rescues declined to take him on because he would need his surgeries would cost between $1,200 - $3,800 for the operation. Luckily, the Pietras’s vet recommended Helping Hands Animal Hospital in Richmond, VA. They were willing to perform the amputation for $755 however, post-op expenses & recovery care would be extra.

Through sharing Joe's story, Canine Community Outreach of North Carolina raised surgical, sterilization, microchip, and post-op funds and provided travel accommodations to Richmond, VA. Joe has since made a full recovery and has found a loving home through Paws for Life.

Joe's story reminds us that dog rescue takes a village. Thanks to monetary donations, caring volunteers willing to share their home, and social influence, this deserving guy went on to complete a family who couldn't imagine life without him.