The Sterling Shelter gets most of its dogs (mainly hounds) from New Jersey, who were merely transported there from Virginia. In Virginia, using dogs to hunt deer is a centuries-old tradition, and after the hunt, hunters are often unable to retrieve their hounds for several hours, if at all. Although new laws are being passed in Virginia regarding mandatory electronic tracking collars on hunting dogs as well as a dog license fee (cost is higher for dogs who are not spayed or neutered), there are still many stray offspring from hunting dogs.
Unfortunately, the dogs are pretty traumatized when they finally do get to the shelter. When we got Skeeter in 2005, she was spayed at the tender age of 4 weeks old and had to be treated round worms, stopping in 3 states on her way up to Massachusetts for various shots and vaccinations. She was so anxious on the drive home, she drooled a thick mucus and vomited all over the backseat. Although she hid under the bed for months following, she finally ventured out. Bailey helped her come out of her shell, too. Having an outgoing dog around is good for her. Today she's much more active but still has some anxiety we are working out.
