Draper hosts Best Friends Adoption Day

By Ryan Christensen

The pleading eyes of puppies are hard to ignore, but in the case of the 3-month-old beagles that will be available at the Best Friends Adoption Day in Draper March 14-16, the begging has a tragic tale to go with it.

“The story for these beagle puppies is just amazing,” said Pat Donoho, adoption coordinator for the Best Friends Animal Society. The puppies’ mother was run over by a car when the four pups were 3 weeks old. Shortly thereafter, the father of the family that owned the dogs committed suicide and his wife followed him the next day, Donoho said.

The couple’s children were taken in by relatives, and The Sanctuary took the puppies.

The Sanctuary is a large pet ranch in Kanab that houses, on average, 2,000 animals in need of adoption or special care. The Sanctuary frequently helps rescue animals from tragic situations.

“Pretty much anywhere there is a disaster we will be there,” said Larry Donoho, Pat’s husband.

The Donohos recently went to Beirut to rescue 300 cats and dogs that were displaced when bombing destroyed the local animal shelter. They went to Mexico during the floods and down to Peru after the last earthquake. After Hurricane Katrina, they went to the devastated area and lived there more than a year, helping to rescue more than 6,000 animals. The couple also cares for 22 of the pit bulls previously owned by NFL player Michael Vick.

“It’s not really a career, it’s a mission,” says Larry Donoho. The couple travels at least 200 nights per year for different adoption events like the one that will be held in Draper.

The Donoho’s have been invited to come up to Draper by Petco General Manager Paul Heller.

At the Best Friends Adoption Day, a total of seven puppies, including the four beagles, available for adoption. The dogs have each been spayed or neutered and have a microchip ID implanted. Their shots are current and they are all in good health. The cost for adoption is a $100 donation to the Best Friends Animal Society.

The adoption will be held at PETCO, 195 East 12300 South, starting on Friday, March 14 between noon and 7 p.m. and again on March 15 and 16 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

For more information about the Best Friends Animal Society visit www.bestfriends.org