“On Friday April 7, 2023 Animal Services Officer Lynn attended the East Coast Canine's Class of 2023-1 Graduation. K9 Ranger was a resident of the Edgecombe County Animal Shelter before he was recruited by East Coast Canine Inc. After initial evaluation, with the assistance of the Mona Pants Foundation, East Coast Canine decided to donate Ranger and his training to a department in need of a K9. After reviewing letters of interest from several agencies, Officer Jones with Morehead City Police Department was chosen.
Ranger is now a certified police K9 and will begin working next week. We are thankful for East Coast Canine Inc. and the Mona Pants Foundation for giving a shelter dog this opportunity.
Pictured here is Ranger's foster, Lizzie Smith, K9 Officer Jones, K9 Ranger, and Officer Lynn.”
- Edgecombe county sheriff’s office
k9 ranger’s story
Meet granny, a sweet little senior girl who has had quite the journey. Her day began in a noisy shelter, where no one was looking for her. Malnourished and frail, her long nails curled under, making it hard for her to walk, and she had a massive engorged tick on her flank. But by noon, everything started to change. She was in the car with our dear friend, Miss Stephanie, and on her way to Planet Zebulon.
By 2 pm, granny had an unscheduled gentle bath, and by 3 pm, she was at the vet for a senior blood panel, heartworm test, exam, tick removal, and nail trim. At an estimated 10 years old, granny is a little blind, a little deaf, and in desperate need of some tender loving care. The good news is she’s heartworm negative.
By 5 pm, granny had a few bites of dinner, took a short walk in the yard, and settled into her crate for a well-deserved rest. She curled up in her blankie, exhausted but content. She went to bed with a full belly, a peaceful environment, and no more pesky bloodsuckers on her.
Despite her rough start, granny is a kind soul with a lot of love left to give. Though she’s in the early stages of kidney disease, anemic, and with a few liver issues, we’re hopeful for her and will give her all the care she deserves in this next chapter. She may be fragile, but her spirit is strong, and she’s already started to settle into her new life. granny may never share her past with us, but we’re honored to provide her with a future filled with comfort, love, and a little bit of joy.
granny, aka emily, aka willow’s story
ophelia’s story
Meet Ophelia, or “Ophie,” as we’ve come to call her—a resilient little soul who has already endured more than any dog should ever have to face.
At approximately 2 years old, Ophie has been through unimaginable hardships. Her ears were cruelly chopped off, she’s been bred and mistreated, and has suffered from being hit, kicked, and left out in the rain. But thanks to the compassionate people in her community, who saw what was happening and reached out for help, she is now safe with us.
Ophie came to us in need of immediate medical attention. She's heartworm positive (HW+), and her legs and knees are in rough shape, likely from previous injuries or neglect. But this little girl is a fighter, and we’re committed to giving her the treatment she needs, including heartworm therapy and orthopedic care.
Today, Ophie is clean, safe, neutered and pain-free thanks to some medication. She’s met the Pants Gang (our incredible pack of rescue dogs), and they’ve welcomed her with open paws, making her feel at home. Karma, Ami, Cora, and Piper are already showing her so much love and support. It’s amazing how our pack helps new friends feel at ease and loved.
She may have faced cruelty in her past, but that’s all over now. Ophie will never know harm again. As of today, she’s in our care and will only experience the kindness, love, and comfort she deserves.
While Ophie’s journey with us is just beginning, we are so grateful to be part of her healing. She’s already finding some peace and comfort here, and we are committed to supporting her through every step of her recovery.
Meet Zeb, the adorable dachshund who has captured all of our hearts! Born both deaf and blind, Zeb is a special little guy who has already proven that nothing can hold him back. despite his challenges, he’s a happy, healthy puppy with so much personality. His belly is irresistibly squishy, and his little feet smell just like Fritos—pure puppy perfection!
Now, for the best part—Zeb has found his forever home! He was adopted by the wonderful Patty, who met Zeb (now Cowboy Zeb) and instantly fell in love. He’s living on a little farm with horses, a mini donkey, and turkeys, and he’s got a big sister named Ellie who absolutely adores him. The best part? Zeb will stay in Zebulon, so we’ll still get to see him and arrange playdates with his friends, Piper and Huckleberry!
Since joining Patty’s family, Zeb has already settled in beautifully. He’s learned his way around the house and lets Patty know when he needs to go outside. The adoption was finalized today, and we couldn’t be happier for him. He’s going to live a life filled with love, adventure, and plenty of playtime.
zeb’s story
rosie’s story
It is with heavy hearts that we share the story of Rosie, a brave little soul who touched our lives in ways we will never forget.
Rosie, originally from Pennsylvania, came to us through Northeast Boston Terrier Rescue, and although she had been through so much, she still had a lot of love to give. At 13 years old, she was surrendered to the shelter by her family, and though her health was stable, she needed a home—somewhere she could spend her golden years, surrounded by love and warmth. We decided to open our hearts to her, and she quickly became a part of our family.
We knew that adopting a senior dog meant we might not have a lot of time together, but we were committed to making the most of every moment. Rosie brought joy to our home with her little grumpy face and her soft, grumbly snores. She had a way of letting us love her in her own unique way, and we cherished every cuddle and every silly moment—like her awkward tennis ball skills and her love for spaghetti.
Sadly, on a Christmas morning in 2022, we woke up to find that Rosie had passed peacefully in her sleep. Despite the surgery she had undergone just days earlier, we knew that her heart had simply given out.
Wookie’s Story
Wookie’s journey from despair to hope is truly remarkable. This sweet dog was callously abandoned in a parking lot near a dumpster in Zebulon, NC. Luckily, a good Samaritan saw the heartbreaking act, but Wookie ran off before she could catch him. The Samaritan took a quick shot of the car, and word spread fast—immediately reaching us, in which we sprang into action. we searched the area, found a crate and blankets, and contacted local vets.
The search paid off when our vet called with good news—Wookie, matching the description, had been found and brought in. His condition was grave; he was badly matted and neglected. It took a skilled vet 6 whole hours to carefully shave off all the tangled fur, as it was so severe that he could barely walk.
We rallied to cover Wookie’s medical expenses with raffles and auctions, and after heartworm treatment, this little warrior has finally turned a new leaf. He’s now thriving with his new family in Raleigh, living the best life he deserves. What an incredible transformation from the dog that was thrown away to a cherished family member. Wookie is a true survivor, and his story is a testament to the power of compassion and second chances.
Ginger aka gigi’s story
Ginger is a sweet and resilient dog who has been through a lot in her little life. She was part of a heartbreaking cruelty case in which multiple animals were found abandoned in a trailer home. While many of the animals had passed, Ginger, along with a Malinois and a cat, survived. She was injured, with a broken leg… The animals were seized and taken for veterinary care.
Thankfully, Ginger was rescued from the vet's office by us and brought to the Pants family for fostering. Ginger received the care, comfort, and attention she desperately needed. She still has a long road ahead, especially with the injuries to her leg. It appears that her leg was broken and sustained puncture wounds after being attacked by another dog in a foster home. Despite receiving some medical attention, her leg hadn’t healed properly, with splints being ineffective and her bones not fusing as they should.
Ginger has been diagnosed with a potential pneumothorax (a lung injury) that will need to be monitored closely. despite all she’s been through, Ginger is incredibly sweet and well-behaved. She was wonderful with Dr. Edwards at the Zebulon Animal Hospital, and her heartworm test came back negative!
she has a new, loving home where she has been renamed Gigi.
We are incredibly grateful for the support we've received from our community, including the auction and a donation fund that helped raise money for Ginger’s surgeries.
