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Donors to Boggs Mountain Humane Shelter’s “Lucky Dog” program were shocked to learn that the dogs they sponsored in order to be adopted were in fact, euthanized [4]. The northern Georgia shelter took in strays and owner surrenders and claimed to be no kill. 

The “Lucky Dog” program [5] was a brilliantly simple scam. Good-hearted animal lovers gave the shelter $100 to sponsor a dog’s vaccinations, worming, spay/neuter and vet exam. Donors received a photo of their Lucky Dog, and a cheerful email when he was adopted.

In cooperation with a reporter, intake counselor Lynn Cousins admitted that those emails she sent were lies. “If I wanted to keep my job, I had to lie,” said Cousins. After two years of battling her conscience, Cousins decided to tell the truth.

I can see why the program would prove popular. In 2004, I found a female black Pit Bull dragging a leash behind her. She was friendly and appeared to be in good health. Surely, someone would be looking for her. I brought her to the Louisiana SPCA, where I volunteered several times a week.

After five business days passed and no owner came forward, I named her Kaldi and spread the word in hopes that a family member or friend would take her home.

A few days after Kaldi became adoptable, an approaching Hurricane Ivan forced the shelter to begin plans for evacuation. Dogs considered less adoptable would be euthanized; there simply wasn’t enough room on the transport trucks. A black Pit Bull had little to no chance.

If I had gotten there just an hour sooner, I could’ve saved her. The head veterinarian, who had marked Kaldi as one of the dogs to be euthanized, apologized profusely to me as I sobbed in front of her empty kennel.

I did not fault the vet, who was forced to make those terrible choices every day. In the moment, I blamed myself. By taking Kaldi there, I had made a promise that one of two things would happen – she would be claimed by her owner or I would find her a home. If there had been an alternative, such as a no-kill shelter, I would’ve taken her there.

This is why Boggs Mountain Humane Shelter was able to dupe so many people.

Given a choice between bringing a stray dog to a no-kill shelter or a kill shelter, who wouldn't opt for the former? If a monetary donation guaranteed that a dog would be safe and find a home, who wouldn't open their wallet? Shelter director Lowanda “Peanut” Kilby counted on human kindness, and Boggs Mountain Humane Shelter reaped the bounty that she sowed.