They call him Phoenix, because he is rising from the ashes.
And he will soon have his own Facebook Page.
Phoenix is the dog that was found in a sugarcane field in Clewisiton, starving to death. He only weighed 27 pounds, when he should weigh at least 60, said Betty Hughes of the Animal Refuge Center (ARC).
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Found abandoned and emaciated, Phoenix is now on the mend at North Fort Myers’ Animal Refuge Center. provided
"He's turned the corner. He actually ate some food out of his bowl."
He came to ARC because he was in need of very intensive care to get back to health. "A good Samaritan who stopped for him called Clewiston Animal Services and they suggested to call ARC because of his condition, because it would take a very long time or him to recover."
He looks like a boxer hound mix, she added.
"The dog also has heart worms and we're going to half to get him up to 100 percent body weight and blood levels - he's anemic. We have to do that before we give him his heart worm treatment.
"We asked out Facebook fans to name him and we selected the name Phoenix because he is rising from the ashes."
Many, many have inquired about him after learning about him on the news. "Our biggest response has been from Facebook, Hughes said. "They should visit our Facebook page for daily updates and we are actually creating his own Facebook page. Phoenix has gone viral. We anticipate he will be with us 4 - 5 months and if all goes well, he should be available for adoption by the end of the year.
"We hope Phoenix will have a home by the holidays. Any donations would be greatly appreciated for his long term care."
You can donate on the website, send a check to ARC at P.O. Box 6642, Fort Myers, FL 33911 or call ARC for more information at 731-3535. You can also visit animalrefugecenter.com or "like" ARC in Action on Facebook.
ARC has also recently launched a Junior Ambassador Program for young people, and teachers are encouraged top "adopt ARC" for school projects.
Incorporated in 1988, Animal Refuge Center is a not-for-profit animal welfare society dedicated to caring for all homeless animals brought to its care at its 22-acre sanctuary in North Fort Myers. The sanctuary houses 39 canine lodges, a Canine Training Center, a Cat Adoption Center, 16 feline facilities, and is home to more than 450 cats and 80 dogs.
