A pit bull mix has become an internet sensation after being rescued from a Fulton County animal shelter.
Billie Jean was dropped off at an animal shelter when she was just weeks old. Beth Labauve of Animal Action Rescue stepped in when she found out via social media that Billie Jean was set to die.
"They thought she had a contagious type of mange called sarcoptic, which is very, very contagious to other dogs, so they didn't want her in their shelter, so their resolution was to put her to sleep. We decided to go ahead and take her on," Labauve said.
The mange turned out to be a common, non-contagious type.
Six weeks later this puppy has healed, her patched fur coat now filled in and the raw, irritated skin is gone.
That transformation, shared online, gathered thousands of "likes" from supporters across the country. Billie Jean is now a Facebook favorite.
"Without Facebook she probably wouldn't be here. She would have been overlooked for sure," said Labauve.
The online support helped fund the pup's medical treatment.
"People are very generous. And when they see a really cute picture of a dog that wasn't going to be here yesterday -- it helps," said Susie Jensen, the director of Animal Action Rescue.
The foster mom hopes that the added exposure will help lead to a permanent home for Billie Jean.
"Getting people's awareness out there has opened people's hearts up a lot," said Jensen.
Animal Action Rescue is now taking applications from those in Georgia who'd like to adopt Billie Jean. Click here for more information.
Saturday, May 18 2013 10:09 PM EDT2013-05-19 02:09:05 GMT
They say you can't win if you don't play, and thousands of people are. The jackpot for Saturday night's Powerball drawing is an estimated $600 million, giving many a bad case of lottery fever.
They say you can't win if you don't play, and thousands of people are. The jackpot for Saturday night's Powerball drawing is an estimated $600 million, giving many a bad case of lottery fever.
Saturday, May 18 2013 4:53 PM EDT2013-05-18 20:53:02 GMT
Security will be tight and traffic will be messy around the Morehouse College campus on Sunday. President Barack Obama will address graduates at the college's commencement ceremony.
Security will be tight and traffic will be messy around the Morehouse College campus on Sunday. President Barack Obama will address graduates at the college's commencement ceremony.
State officials are reminding drivers the national "Click It or Ticket" campaign is set to begin and could translate to fines for drivers and passengers who aren't wearing seatbelts.
State officials are reminding drivers the national "Click It or Ticket" campaign is set to begin and could translate to fines for drivers and passengers who aren't wearing seatbelts.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:59 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:59:14 GMT
Who wants to a millionaire? How about 600 times over?
Who wants to a millionaire? How about 600 times over? The already gigantic Powerball jackpot for this Saturday night's drawing has risen again, hitting $600 million at noon on Friday—which is the highest in the history of the game.
1551 Briarcliff Rd., NE Atlanta, GA 30306
Main Number: (404) 875-5555 News Tips: (404) 898-0100
(Photo courtesy Animal Action Rescue)
Billie Jean suffered from mange before being rescued.(Photo courtesy Animal Action Rescue)
