LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Tuesday, the last of the unclaimed Valley fire animals got his happy ending.
The 3-year-old gray male pit bull, now named "Winston," left Lake County Animal Care and Control's shelter with his new owner on Tuesday afternoon, according to Director Bill Davidson.
Winston was the last of approximately 50 animals – including dogs, cats, goats, horses and chickens – that had been put up for adoption on Oct. 29, more than a month and a half after the Valley fire began in the south county.
Davidson had pledged to the Board of Supervisors and the public at large that none of the displaced animals would be euthanized, and the board had done its part to help expedite adoptions by waiving all county fees except for those required for spaying or neutering.
Animal Care and Control also had assistance from area rescues which had taken on the work of finding homes for Valley fire animals. Those groups included Orphan Dog, Wine Country Animal Lovers, Bad Rap pit bull rescue and others.
Davidson said the dog had been found behind the Store 24 gas station on the north end of Middletown by a community member at the end of September.
He was brought to Animal Care and Control on Oct. 1, Davidson said, where he waited to be released for adoption.
Davidson said the friendly dog previously had nearly been adopted, but the adoption fell through because the prospective adopter's landlord would not agree to it.
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