Alexander (formerly Hartsman) came into the shelter in Wakulla County, FL in shocking condition. This poor boy has been starved and suffering for a very long time. He is extremely emaciated, weighing just 38 pounds, and he looks like a walking skeleton. He has a raging skin infection, Demodex and flea allergies, ear infections, and he tested positive for both heartworms and Ehrliccia. He is loaded with parasites and he is extremely anemic. His skin is raw, he has numerous tumors all over his body, and every step is painful.
This poor sweet boy is in very bad shape. We think he is eight years old, and he has never been to the vet in his life. The person who surrendered him was cited for neglect. This is so much more than neglect. We believe this is aggravated animal cruelty. This was not an accident and it was not an oversight. 
Thankfully, we were able to take him into FUR because Jessica Charleton offered to foster him. She fostered another dog from a cruelty case recently, and we know Jessica and her family will be the perfect place for Alexander to recover.
A lot of other people stepped up to help this poor boy. Bonnie Staubitz and the staff at Wakulla County Animal Services once again went the extra mile to save an urgent dog. We first started working with Bonnie and the Wakulla shelter during Hurricane Michael in 2018.
Chris from Wakulla drove him halfway, where our own Patti Monroe met him in Lake City and drove him back the rest of the way. As always, Valerie Losego helped network with fosters to figure out a plan. Several other people offered to do the transport but Patti already had it covered. Morgan Gelb came down to Palm Valley help us with photos and videos.
Dr. Mack and the staff at Palm Valley Veterinary Center once again came to the rescue, squeezing us in on short notice and taking great care of him. Alexander will be hospitalized at Palm Valley for the next few days and before going to his new foster home with Jessica and her family. Thank you to everyone who helped him.
We’ve had so many major medical and cruelty cases already this year that it’s hard for us to keep up. If you would like to help Alexander and other urgent animals, please consider a tax deductible. Florida Urgent Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and a Guidestar Platinum participant.
To Foster: www.floridaurgentrescue.org/foster To Adopt: www.floridaurgentrescue.org/adopt To Donate: — Credit Card: www.floridaurgentrescue.org/donate — Venmo: @FloridaUrgentRescue — PayPal: floridaurgentrescue@gmail.com — CashApp: $FloridaUrgentRescue — Mail: Florida Urgent Rescue 7643 Gate Parkway #104-27 Jacksonville, FL 32256