BCAWS

11/02/2024

Check out Ollie. This skinny baby was brought to the shelter as a stray, and literally couldn’t keep his you-know-what together, even after lots of deworming. Loves, loves, loves people, but the goings on at his rear end meant no one was lining up to adopt him. Well, we aren’t afraid of a little p**p. BTW, “we” means foster Carla, who gave him a quiet place to rest, changed his food, and controlled his water intake. In one day, he was keeping his you-know-what together and hanging out with her pack like he’d lived there forever. Now it’s on to foster Samantha, where he may find himself the star of one of her famous Tik Tok videos.

One more. Remember Ariel, the famous friend of all kids? Before she could get her daycare license, she was scooped up by a wonderful family in eastern North Carolina. Lots of couch time, and plenty of grandkids to play with. Thanks to Southwind Animal Hospital, The Pup Tent, Boarding & Grooming and foster Samantha, this girl went from a very sad situation to living her best life. Way to go girl – you deserve it. Happy life!!

11/01/2024

In the animal welfare world, we rely on our heroes - the fosters, veterinarians, rescues, and boarding kennels who make room for our dogs. There’s also another class of heroes – those who give us the boost that makes us feel like we can do this stuff forever! Today we would like to thank those heroes from Alcoa High School’s Engineering Design II class.

These students, under the guidance and encouragement of teacher Shawn Kerr, used the skills, knowledge and experience they gained during their three-year engineering course, to produce new cost-effective designs for our doghouses. Not only did these students recognize the importance of proper shelter for outside dogs and offer to help build and distribute their designs, but they are also encouraging the community to get involved in our efforts.

Thank you and a big woof woof to Alcoa High School students Madelyng Landero, Kamden Lanxter, Kristopher Sanders, Mason Martin, Brenton Bradburn, Isaiah Emert, Joshua Simpson, Jack Touton, and teacher Shawn Kerr.

There’s a lot of good stuff going on in our schools, and we are thrilled BCAWS was chosen to benefit.

10/20/2024

This is Gus (formerly known as Magnus). Look at that face! This 4 yr old boy, perhaps the friendliest dog in the world, found himself at the Blount County Animal Center. He had blood in his urine, and an ultrasound showed a mass on his bladder. Knowing this big ol guy was a sweetheart but lacking the resources to pursue a definitive diagnosis and possible treatment, the shelter reached out and we responded. Village Veterinary Hospitalstepped in and we will have an updated prognosis in 30 days. Please keep this boy in your thoughts. Thank you to Village Veterinary Hospital and foster Jill, and to BCAC for reaching out. Working together means this boy gets a chance.

10/17/2024

Big news about our Twiggy – this girl has a wonderful new home! She came to BCAWS after 6 months in the shelter. She was scared there so not able to show off her delightful personality. She had only spent one week with foster Jill when we got the request for a meet and greet. It was pretty great! Thank you, new parents Jay and Stacy, fur brother Ewing, and foster Jill for giving this girl a chance! Happy life Twiggy!

10/13/2024

Busy. Animal rescues and shelters are busy. Too busy. What to do about it? Good question – spay/neuter and hope that these 3 cases serve as models for others having difficulty taking care of their pets.

Lucy, a 10-yr old blind Yorkie, found herself without a home after her owner passed away and his daughter had to be moved to a nursing home. The family called us, we called Knox Vintage Pet Project who called foster Vanesia, and this little girl had a place to stay within 48 hrs. The family could have taken her to the shelter, but realized how scary it would be for a senior blind dog who had only lived in one home. Thank you, Knox Vintage and Vanesia.

Kilo and Ghost, 2 very shy Malamutes, were living with 3 other siblings in a very small, hotwired kennel. A kind dog owner stepped up and brought these 2 home. He already had 3 dogs, but with a big shaded fenced yard, felt he could give them a chance. They are very shy but making slow progress and don’t try to escape – they’ve got a family to take care of them now and they know it! We brought 2 doghouses and will get them fixed. It’s the least we can do….

Juliet is an energetic young pup who lived on a side porch much of the time with not much room to run. This girl loved to break her tether to run the neighborhood. A few visits by Animal Control meant she either had to be contained or surrendered to them. The owner called us. She is now contained, has room to run and owner promises she goes inside during temp extremes.

Thank you to our supporters who make all of this possible!

10/13/2024

One thing that is inevitable with our much beloved pets is that they leave us, sometimes unexpectedly, sometimes after a long life with us. Bestfriends.org has some suggestions on ways to cope with pet loss. We'd like to hear from you ways you have done this that might help others.

No amount of time with our best friends is enough, and saying goodbye can be devastatingly difficult.

10/12/2024

Our girl Laverne, a delightful little Plott Hound has found her forever family. We pulled her from the shelter several months ago – at only 1 yr old, she was testing light heartworm positive which made it difficult for her to get adopted. Foster Karlee readily stepped up to take her home and teach her some house manners. Karlee and her family did a great job - Laverne, now Allee, was recently adopted and is having a blast with her new doggo siblings in Georgia. She has access to the couch, a fenced yard, and plenty of playtime. Thank you, Karlee and family, for the love and care you provided, and thank you Diana and husband for making her part of your family.

10/11/2024

Welcome to BCAWS, Twiggy! Please help us find this sweet girl a home.

Twiggy facts:
1. While she may not win a Miss America contest or make a living modeling dog attire, this sweet girl loves all of God’s creatures. (Actually, not sure about chickens, but dogs and cats for sure.)
2. She is shy at first. She was in the shelter for almost 7 months, and it scared her. She needs a home with people to love her so she can relax.
3. At only 38 lbs, she’s easy to handle. Walks on a leash, crate-trained, house-trained. And she’s only 3 yrs old so not set in her ways like us old, retired people.
4. She is fully vaccinated, spayed, and heartworm negative. She was treated for ear infections in both ears, and they are looking good.
5. She is famous – check out the front-page article in The Daily Times.

She’s been hanging out with wonderful foster Jill, who loves her and recognizes a good dog when she sees one. But Andy the Cat rules the roost, and he’s been giving her the stink-eye. It’s unnerving for Twiggy, so we are working quickly to find her a home where she doesn't fear getting her eyeballs scratched out. If you can help, please pm our page or contact Kristin at 865-599-4262.

10/10/2024

A big thank you to Lorelei McKevitz and the vols who work our fundraisers. These events help us spread the word about BCAWS, and Lorelei and her crew are always up to the task. (Well, almost always - 8 hr events in 90 degree weather are no go's.) I’ve heard they have a pretty good time, so contact us if you want to jump in on the fun!

Speaking of fun, we had a great time celebrating our 5-yr anniversary. Great food and fellowship. Appearances by former BCAWS dog Birdie made the evening more special. Woof woof!

10/01/2024

Request for help!!
The Tennessee State Department of Agriculture has requested that the UT College of Veterinary Medicine serve as the lead for animal-related supplies that have been requested from our affected communities in East Tennessee. They will be accepting donations at the Brehm Animal Science Arena, 2506 River Drive, Knoxville on the following days/times:

Tuesday, October 1: 5-7 pm

Wednesday, October 2: 2-6 pm

Thursday, October 3: 5-7 pm

Friday, October 4: 2-6 pm

Please follow signs to the drop-off point. If needed, additional times will be added to the schedule for drop-offs. Please ONLY bring the supplies requested on the list below

Dog/puppy food: dry or canned
Cat/kitten food: dry or canned
Grain/Pellets for livestock including horses, cattle, sheep/goats, and poultry
Square bales of hay. Please DO NOT donate round bales.

09/28/2024

BCAWS mission is to provide resources to help people keep their pets safe and secure at home. Evidently, we have a secondary mission to help keep them safe and secure with us. Good grief! Last week The Doggo Express brought us 15 packages. (Actually, they don’t even deliver – we had to pick them up.)

First came 1 perfect (no exaggeration) mama plus 7 babies from the shelter.

The next package was 6 beautiful pre-teens who needed vaccinations, spay/neuter and new homes.

Our last package was a sweet as sugar middle aged girl who LOVES kids! Due to a very unfortunate situation, she was surrendered to Southwind Animal Hospital who asked us to take her.

These kids will take a chunk out of our pocketbook – mama plus 7 will need to be spayed and neutered before they move on, the pre-teens had to be vetted and boarded till they could go to foster Janet (thank you Village Veterinary Hospital for the excellent care), the pre-teens will be spayed and neutered next week, and sweet-as-sugar is in boarding at The Pup Tent, Boarding & Grooming till we can find her a foster or new home.

Please help us replenish our funds via the donate button, PayPal or check mailed to BCAWS, PO Box 973, Alcoa, TN 37701.

And let me know if you would like to foster Sweet-As-Sugar girl. Word on the street is she is trustworthy enough to babysit your kids.

09/21/2024

Where in the world are the Plott Hound lovers? This sweet baby has been waiting for months and months with no inquiries. She's a great dog, and would like to tell her story:

"Raven here, also known as Queen of the Plott Hounds. (According to me, anyway.) I'm an older gal with s***k, about 8 yrs I think. I quit counting at age 5. I love the couch but really love my walks and my doggo friends. I adore people - everyone - even the people who ditched me. I am crate and leash trained. If we see a deer, hang on tight to my leash. I also have some cat friends. Go figure! Evidently I have some arthritis in my hips/rear legs but honestly, it doesn't slow me down. Just gives me a distinctive gait. I would love a home with lots of dog beds, a doggo friend or 2 to play with, and a fenced yard. I've been waiting awhile for my forever home, but can't figure out why. Us old girls are pretty darn special! Maybe you will take me home???"

Please message our page or contact Kristin 865-599-4262 if you would like to meet Raven.

09/14/2024

Carly and Bruno went to foster today. If you ask them, they'll tell you they broke out of the shelter, called an Uber, eluded Animal Control during a high speed chase, and ultimately ran into their new foster home to hide out. They call themselves Chi's on the Run.

Hmmm...this story calls for a fact check.

1. They didn't break out - BCAC dispositioned them out to BCAWS. Staff and volunteers said their good bye's and wished them well.
2. They didn't call an Uber - they don't have any money. Kristin picked them up.
3. Animal Control did not initiate a high speed chase - if AC knew the dogs were leaving they would have wished them well.
4. They didn't run into their new digs to hide out - their foster and friends were outside ready to welcome them!

Thank you foster Amber and friends Jessie and Aiden! These babies will be ready for adoption as a bonded pair once they've had their dentals.

09/12/2024

UPDATE: Foster found! Thank you everyone!

Calling all small dog lovers!! Looking for a foster for these friendly senior and middle aged chi's we are pulling from the shelter. We want to keep them together. Carly (tan) is about 10 yrs - has a wonky hip but she deals with it. Bruno (black) is about 7 years. They will be ready for adoption once we get their dentals done. Already spayed and neutered.
Please pm our page or contact Kristin 865-599-4262 if you can foster.

09/07/2024

In the spirit of “don’t burden people with negative stuff”, we will stick to a profoundly positive post about persevering to find permanent placement for pleasant, playful, precious pups. And a couple of other things too…

Meet Sophia, now known as Winnie. This sweet as sugar girl, pulled twice from potentially harmful situations, has found her forever home. She is one of the friendliest dogs we have ever met! Congratulations and thank you to her new owners! And thank you The Pup Tent, Boarding & Grooming for giving her lots of love and attention!

Next is Miranda Lambert also known as Jolene and who knows what else in her former life because, as a Treeing Walker Coonhound, she likes to do things her way. Seriously, she is gorgeous and friendly. She was pregnant when found as a “stray” while scrounging for groceries in the Food City parking lot and surrendered to Maryville/Alcoa Animal Rescue Center. They reached out for fosters, and our foster extraordinaire Janet stepped up. (Notice the “our foster” part – we have claimed Janet as our own and no stealing allowed.) She will be available for adoption (the dog, not Janet) through Maryville/Alcoa Animal Rescue Center, along with her 8 gorgeous houndy pups in about 5 weeks. Arooooooo!!

We also turned a beautiful fence into a beautiful fence with an invisible fence wire attached to prevent lovely Lillie from escaping yet again. All the other dogs in the home saw the fence as a boundary. Lillie the famous fence climber saw it as a challenge and successfully scaled it every day. Not any longer. Sorry Lillie, gotta wear that collar and stay put. The road is a dangerous place. Thank you Charles and Rusty for keeping this girl safe.

Last week we also sponsored 7 spay/neuters and 3 urgent vet visits.

Feeling philanthropic? You can use the donate button, donate via PayPal via https://www.bcaws1.org/donate or send a check to BCAWS, PO Box 973, Alcoa TN 37701-0973. Many thanks to all our supporters!!

08/26/2024

Drum roll please for the fastest doghouse build ever! 50 employees of Clayton Homes from across the country, donated materials and sweat to assemble and paint 10 doghouses for Blount County's four-legged friends in need. And they did it in ONE HOUR! Thank you Clayton Homes, and thank you to our volunteers Charles, Dave, Brian, Kevin, Lorens, Crystal, and Philana for the prep work and clean-up. Woof woof!!

MELANIE [email protected] blue East Tennessee skies on

08/25/2024

The rescue community suffered a huge loss last week with the passing of Kimmey Goodson. Kimmey worked tirelessly as the founder and leader of Loudon County Friends of Animals, pulling cats (many many seniors) from many area shelters to find homes for them. (And boy was she picky about those homes.) These babies, often scared and stressed in a shelter environment, got a second chance, thanks to Kimmey and her volunteers. For the past 14 years she modeled dedication, hard work, and compassion for the rest of us. And she didn't mince words when it came to caring for her babies! Rest in peace Kimmey.

08/24/2024

Look at this handsome hunk! He was running a busy road and decided to stop in for a snack at Dollar General. Quite fond of DG snacks so kept going back. No one claimed this boy so 4Them Sanctuary Inc stepped in to help. They rescue all kinds of animals but canines aren't their specialty, as mandated by their resident Great Pyrenees who is large and in charge! They reached out to us for help, we contacted Belly Rubs Basset Rescue and the deal was sealed. BTW his name is G, as in gee whiz it takes a lot of people working together to make things right in this world. Check out G hanging with his friends at Gibbs Groom Shop while he waits for his forever home❤

08/17/2024

Fun news on BCAWS babies and alumni. Mama Nova is hanging out at foster Samantha’s place until her trip north. Time for her kids to be on their own. (Nova’s kids, not Samantha’s!) This drawing by Samantha’s daughter is priceless (hope we didn't violate a copyright), and so is Mama Nova! Her puppies are with several fosters, waiting to head north with Homeward Bound Dog Rescue of New York to find their forever homes.

Foster Janet has a new mama-in-waiting, courtesy of Maryville/Alcoa Animal Rescue Center. Meet Jolene, aka Miranda Lambert. Her name implies she can sing. Evidently she’s saving her voice for her upcoming tours with Dolly and Taylor Swift. Those pups are still baking, as Janet says, but hoping they’ll be done soon.

And then we have Merida, who’s new 2 yr old human sister has named her Patsy. This girl, one of the Mountain City 7, now has her place on the couch and the bed. Her new family adores her!! And ear rubs abound.

Thank you to our fosters, supporters and rescues!!!!

08/05/2024

Hi everyone, Sophia here. I am definitely ready for a foster or forever home. I'm weary of life as a nomad and I have tons of love to give my family. My first owner wasn't the greatest so I got to hang out at a new place with some other fun dogs till I went to my next owner. He let me run loose which was fun but scary to dodge the cars. A nice lady picked me up on the road one day, took me to Village Veterinary Hospital to make sure I was healthy, and now BCAWS is helping me find my forever home. I absolutely love people, kisses and hugs. I am a sweet young thing (about 10 months, 45 lbs) so I have lots of puppy energy. But I do channel some of that energy into providing lots of kisses for my humans. I am very trainable - will do anything (well, almost anything) for a treat. It would be fun to hang out with other playful dogs.

Please PM our page if you would like to foster or adopt this girl. Sophia is spayed and vetted and ready for a home.