Friends of Baldwin County Animals (FBCA) partnered with Heart of Georgia and Mid-Atlantic Germans Shepherd Rescue to save Mila, a three-year-old German Shepherd, from being euthanized.
“Mila was a stray found on the side of the road and rescued by a good Samaritan,” said Ashton Branch, founder of FBCA. “She’s deaf, so it was very lucky she was unharmed.”
Branch and Julia Burks founded Friends of Baldwin County Animals in 2013 while students at Georgia College & State University. Branch stated, since 2017, the nonprofit has rescued about 9,000 animals.
“We are separate from the Baldwin County Animal Shelter but work closely with them. After we graduated college, Friends evolved into its own organization outside of the college as well and I decided to stay in the area to continue to develop it,” said Branch.
“The story actually began because someone was working at my apartment and let my cat out. I went to the shelter to report her as missing and, while she thankfully came home shortly later, I learned through the process how unknown the shelter was to the college community,” she added. “I wanted to be able to assist in letting people know about them to help with adoptions and rescues, which led to the creation of Friends.”
In the case of Mila, she had been at the shelter for a few months. Branch described her as friendly and social without any obvious signs of abuse in her past, but stated she showed signs of previously having puppies. She was placed on the euthanasia list Jan. 20 after no owner came to claim her and no one showed interest in adopting her.
“Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue, based in Maryland, has worked with Friends for about three to four years. They were the first rescue on my mind when I learned of Mila’s situation,” said Branch. “I made a plea for her and one of their board members, Trish Pizer, presented it to the board and they approved her.”
To be able to get Mila to Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue, Heart of Georgia housed Mila for a few weeks, treated any medical needs, and ensured she received her required shots.
“They ensured she got her health certificate to fly with our pilot, Spencer Titzmann, with Pilot and Paws, which is a network of volunteer pilots that fly animals from point A to point B,” said Branch. “Spencer picked Mila up from the Baldwin County Regional Airport and flew her to Maryland.”
Mila is now with Mason Dixon K9 training in Maryland to learn hand signals and basic obedience to be prepared to go into a home.
“Mila is so smart and has already learned many commands,” said Branch. “She is a very, very happy girl and will make a family very happy,” said Branch.
To learn more about Friends of Baldwin County Animals, see animal stories, or donate to its cause, visit the Friends of Baldwin County Animals in Milledgeville on Facebook.