Castaway Dog Training Program

Shelters recent Facebook post-

“Very few dogs are truly strays- almost every dog has an owner (or had)- the problem is not strays- the problem is irresponsible or possibly uneducated pet owners.

We are yet again full- full of dogs that obviously people think are disposable! Full of innocent dogs just wanting a loving family to adopt them. Full of dogs that are not promised homes. Full of dogs that are scared. Full of dogs that did not deserve to be here. Full of dogs eager to show you their love. Full of dogs that will be more loyal than most people. Full of dogs just wanting to run and play all day.

With all that being said, lets find these dogs homes – the loving homes they want- the loving homes they deserve. You will never have a friend more loyal than you pet!”

After many countless hours, emails, and pleas for adopting animals and pulling animals from our shelter due to being full, Amber was determined to find a way to make more of the animals available for adoption more desirable to potential adopters.

When adopting from a shelter, you are taking a chance- a chance on the dog adjusting, a chance on the dog’s temperament once at its new home, a chance on the dogs health, and much more due to the lack of information available to the shelter when obtained but you are also taking a chance on finding your new best friend, the most loyal companion, the best guard, unconditional love, the chance to save a life, the chance to heal a broken heart, a chance to improve your health, a chance to make a difference for that one animal, a chance to make someones second hand animal your first class pet- just to name a few!

Once impounded we do all we can to learn as much as possible about the dogs prior to putting them up for adoption however, dogs can and will change once removed from the shelter setting. Shelter life isn’t easy for any dog but we try to make the best of it for them. In most cases, we have very little to no information on animals that come through and usually a short window to learn all we can so we can get the dog put up for adoption as soon as possible. We want nothing more than each and every dog to find their own loving home but with the overpopulation of pets, cost of caring for them, and vetting- its proving more difficult to get animals homes and to add fuel to the fire, most people seem to have specifics- puppy, small breed, house trained, already fixed, already vetted, etc.

One evening Amber came across a show on TV about dogs living in the prison system and inmates training them- Amber was hooked! A little light bulb went off and it went from there. After many hours of watching recorded episodes of the TV show, internet research, and talking to people via the shelter’s FB page, Amber was determined to get the program started. According to most people, they would be more likely to adopt a dog from a shelter if it had basic knowledge of commands and training.

With a prison located in Davisboro, GA (within the county) Amber was on the right track but decided to start off small. Amber nor the shelter has ever attempted something to this nature- it was a new process for everyone. Amber contacted Broken Shackle Ranch in Davisboro, GA- Broken Shackle Ranch birthed in 1984 out of a promise from God to the Cobb Family that if “you take care of my children, I will take care of yours”. Ever since, Broken Shackle has been the place of hope, healing and A New Beginning for over 8000 young men across the state of Georgia. After speaking to Mrs. Cobb, she was ecstatic about the possibility of the program. Amber as well as Mrs. Cobb had to go through proper channels in order to see if the idea of the program would be made into reality.

Program approved! Amber immediately started to get the program information and content together in hopes the getting the program started ASAP as well as a few financial things in place- once the shelter received the very first sponsorship for the program, it was really happening! She spent many hours and completed the program guide as well as got all the materials purchased that were needed for the program.

Amber along with Senior Animal Control Officer picked out two dogs for the program and each were vetted. The shelter would provide the trainers at Broken Shackle Ranch with everything they would need to complete this eight week program. Each trainer got their own container with everything needed and the dogs got their own crates complete with beds, blanket, crate cover, and much more!

On Friday, May 8, 2015, Amber along with Officer Haynes went to Broken Shackle Ranch with a truck packed with supplies and two curious dogs! Upon arrival, we met the two trainers. Both guys are very polite and exhibited such excitement about the program. After going over all the course material, rules, protocols, etc., it was finally time for the trainers to get their dogs out- these dogs would be with them for eight weeks. Amber admitted she was a bit nervous about the program as she didn’t want it to fail- she has high hopes for the dogs once the program is over and it all lies in the hands of these two boys. Once the trainers got their dogs out and they started to walk, play, and bond with them, all Amber’s worries went away- the trainers are wonderful!

Meet Charlie and Oreo (pictures below)- the two very first dogs of Castaway! They were both adopted to wonderful families!

The adoption fee is only $100. Dogs can be adopted prior to the program ending however the dog will not be released until the program ends. Each dog that “graduates” from Castaway will (unless stated otherwise) be named, spay/neutered, UTD on rabies vaccination, know and respond to their name, be leash trained, be crate/house trained, know basic commands such as sit, lie down, stay, come, roll over, speak, shake, and play fetch, overcome food/toy aggression (if any was exhibited), and be on a feeding/potty schedule.

We look forward to working with Broken Shackle Ranch and their guys for years to come and hope to have many dogs graduate from Castaway and find loving homes!

July 27, 2015- Castaway 2 started! This time we were able to send three dogs (pictures below). Available for adoption September 21, 2015. Astro has already been adopted.

Charlie- Adopted! Castaway Program 1

Oreo- Adopted! Castaway Program 1

Astro- Adopted! Castaway Program 2

Boomer- Available! Castaway Program 2

Lilly- Available!
Castaway Program 2

Program Director: Amber R. Adams Sandersville/ Washington County Animal Shelter Animal Control Assistant

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide a second chance at adoption for dogs selected for the program by providing basic training and education for both resident (trainer) within the assisted living facility and dog, resulting in permanent homes after program completion. Trainer will also gain skills in basic animal care and training as well as valuable life/character traits- dedication, determination, patience, loyalty, ambition, confidence, responsibility, compassion, and being efficient- proving it does pay to be a hard worker.

Our Goal

All of the dogs selected for the program will go through a basic 8 week training program and live with their trainer for the entirety of the program. Our ultimate goal is for these dogs to come out of the program with the following- UTD on vaccinations, spayed/neutered, leash trained, house/crate trained, respond to basic commands (sit, fetch, and stay), among other desirable qualities- resulting in dogs being adopted into their forever home.

Long Term Goal Amber also has long term goals for the program that consist of not only working with Broken Shackle Ranch but to start a Castaway program within the prison located in Davisboro, GA.

For more information on the program and/or about adopting a dog from the Castaway program please contact Amber at the shelter 478.552.2756 or by email sandersvilleac@gmail.com.

testosterone timeline dianabol injectable best way to take etizolam

testosterone cypionate for sale limo fort lauderdale anavar for women buy steroids australia testonon 350 gnc testosterone booster priligy kopen