ANNANDALE, Va. β On Wednesday the Prince George's County Animal Shelter posted a desperate plea on Facebook. They wrote that 28 dogs needed to be adopted or rescued by Thursday at noon, or they would be euthanized.
By Thursday night, the community had answered the call.
Among the dogs who were adopted or rescued, is a pup who is now named Riley.
"She's a classy girl. She's beautiful, typical Boston (Terrier)," said Lillian Hunt.
Hunt told WUSA9 she saw the posts about the dogs who were in desperate need of homes on her Nextdoor account Wednesday night.
"I'm an old lady, I can't take a big dog that would knock me over. But, when I saw they had a Boston, I thought it was important to go help," she said.
So, the next morning she got in her car and drove from her home in Annandale to the Prince George's County Animal Shelter.
"There were a dozen people ahead of me, so I thought that was wonderful, that people were really coming out and rallying to keep these animals from being put down for lack of space," said Hunt.
She says once inside the shelter, she noticed it was packed.
"It was very noisy. So many distressed animals vocalizing their stress and confusion," she explained.
She told the shelter staff that she wanted to meet and adopt Riley.
"They wouldn't let me see her or meet her because of the aggression. They pretty much shut me down," said Hunt.
But, she was determined. She called Last Chance Animal Rescue, who she's worked with before, and they called the shelter and vouched for her.
"The shelter was very gracious. Since Last Chance Rescue called, they would allow me to step in and take her in their name," said Hunt.
But, Riley was scared and reactive.
"I'd never seen a Boston (Terrier) so angry and frightened, snapping and biting and being very very upset," said Hunt.
So, she sat down with Riley and worked to earn her trust for four hours.
"I think animals never forget kindness. If you have patience and earn their trust, I think you can do most anything with them. I just needed time," said Hunt.
Eventually, Riley loosened up, and they've been inseparable ever since.
"Within hours of meeting her, she was willing to sniff my face. No more aggression and by this morning she let me pick her up, and she would come to me, dock between my legs while I dressed, and follow me around," said Hunt.
Hunt said she's looking forward to adding Riley to the pack. But, the introductions will take time. She has five other Boston terriers and two cats. All of them are rescues.
"Maybe she was just supposed to come here," said Hunt.
This could have had a much different outcome, but Hunt says it's she who feels like the lucky one.
"I'm the winner, I get her," she said.
Friday night, the founder of Last Chance Animal Rescue told WUSA9 that having so many dogs adopted this week is helpful, but there need to be long-term solutions.
One solution they say, is to get your pets spayed or neutered.
Here are some available options:
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