A refuge for shepherds

Edison students raise money to help pay for surgery for homeless German shepherds.When Shawn Hollub first met Sam, he could barely walk.

The German shepherd puppy had severe carpal hyperextension in both his front paws and could move only by walking on the joints of his paws.

Other rescue foundations wouldn’t take the young dog, but Hollub, who runs German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County, said she saw potential in the pup that she couldn’t ignore. Along with dozens of other German shepherds in the last month, Hollub adopted the animal in the hope of preventing it from being euthanized.

Hundreds of dogs like Sam need help in Orange County, but often it’s difficult to find money to pay for the needed operations to keep them healthy. Now a pair of Edison High School seniors has joined forces to raise awareness, and hopefully some money, to save orphaned German shepherds in danger of being put to sleep.

Alexandra Walters and Danielle Neal, both 17, have formed the Pet Savers, dedicated to raising money for surgeries for homeless dogs. The project is the final installment in Danielle’s tenure at the Center of International Business and Communication Studies, a four-year program at Edison designed to familiarize students with the business world.

When they first started, all the two knew was that they wanted to save animals, Alexandra said. The pair consulted with several area shelters and helped raise more than $500 to fund surgery for a blind dog, but both felt their efforts were not focused enough.

With the help of mentor Eric Rogers, the girls got in touch with Hollub and began to focus their fundraising efforts.

“A lot of companies have a budget for school projects,” Danielle said. “We just have to be the ones who go out and ask for it.”

Alexandra said the teens picked German shepherds because they wanted to involve the Huntington Beach Police Department in their efforts.

“We felt that if we had the Police Department’s support, people would be more likely to help us,” she said.

Hollub said she’s been impressed by the girls’ enthusiasm for rescuing animals.

“Sometimes people don’t pay a lot of attention to teens, but I’m the mother of one, and I know that when they set their mind to something, they’re going to do it,” she said. “I think both of them are good examples.”

German shepherds are in great need of help in Orange County, Hollub explained. About four separate rescue societies provide foster services for approximately 140 dogs; Hollub estimated that she helps facilitate about 25 adoptions a month.

“These dogs are totally over-bred by people who are making about $500 a piece on the animals,” she said.

Besides Sam, the girls are working to raise money for Dillon, a 5-year-old shepherd in need of hip replacement surgery, and Duke, a 2-year-old suffering from hip dysphasia.

“We want to do our best to give these animals a comfortable life,” Danielle said. “We think they deserve it.”

For more information, visit www.geocities.com/thepetsavers.20060112iswm8zncKENT TREPTOW / INDEPENDENT(LA)Alexandra Walters, left, and Danielle Neal, both 17, share a smile with Sam, a 5-month-old German shepherd, at Edison High on Tuesday. The students formed the Pet Savers, a group that raises money for injured dogs.