A pit bull mix has become an internet sensation after being rescued from a Fulton County animal shelter.
Billie Jean was dropped off at an animal shelter when she was just weeks old. Beth Labauve of Animal Action Rescue stepped in when she found out via social media that Billie Jean was set to die.
"They thought she had a contagious type of mange called sarcoptic, which is very, very contagious to other dogs, so they didn't want her in their shelter, so their resolution was to put her to sleep. We decided to go ahead and take her on," Labauve said.
The mange turned out to be a common, non-contagious type.
Six weeks later this puppy has healed, her patched fur coat now filled in and the raw, irritated skin is gone.
That transformation, shared online, gathered thousands of "likes" from supporters across the country. Billie Jean is now a Facebook favorite.
"Without Facebook she probably wouldn't be here. She would have been overlooked for sure," said Labauve.
The online support helped fund the pup's medical treatment.
"People are very generous. And when they see a really cute picture of a dog that wasn't going to be here yesterday -- it helps," said Susie Jensen, the director of Animal Action Rescue.
The foster mom hopes that the added exposure will help lead to a permanent home for Billie Jean.
"Getting people's awareness out there has opened people's hearts up a lot," said Jensen.
Animal Action Rescue is now taking applications from those in Georgia who'd like to adopt Billie Jean. Click here for more information.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:24 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:24:30 GMT
Rising flood waters trapped horses inside a Sandy Springs stable on Sunday afternoon. Rescue teams were called to Summit Equestrian Solutions on River Run around 4 p.m.
Rising flood waters trapped horses inside a Sandy Springs stable on Sunday afternoon. Rescue teams were called to Summit Equestrian Solutions on River Run around 4 p.m.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:10 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:10:38 GMT
On a day filled with nasty storms and heavy rains, there is a bright spot. A Suwanee police officer is being credited with saving the life of a baby bunny that was swept away by flood waters.
On a day filled with nasty storms and heavy rains, there is a bright spot. A Suwanee police officer is being credited with saving the life of a baby bunny that was swept away by flood waters during Sunday's downpour.
Sunday, May 19 2013 2:00 PM EDT2013-05-19 18:00:39 GMT
President Barack Obama addressed a crowd of soggy graduates and guests at Morehouse College's spring commencement ceremony on Sunday.
President Barack Obama addressed a crowd of soggy graduates and guests at Morehouse College's spring commencement ceremony on Sunday, telling graduates to take the power of their example-- as black men graduating from college-- and use it to improve people's lives.
Sunday, May 19 2013 1:53 PM EDT2013-05-19 17:53:40 GMT
President Barack Obama addressed graduates at Morehouse College's commencement ceremony in Atlanta on Sunday.
President Barack Obama addressed graduates at Morehouse College's commencement ceremony in Atlanta on Sunday, marking the first time a sitting president has made a commencement address in Georgia since 1938. See photos from his visit to Atlanta here!
Saturday, May 18 2013 10:09 PM EDT2013-05-19 02:09:05 GMT
They say you can't win if you don't play, and thousands of people are. The jackpot for Saturday night's Powerball drawing is an estimated $600 million, giving many a bad case of lottery fever.
They say you can't win if you don't play, and thousands of people are. The jackpot for Saturday night's Powerball drawing is an estimated $600 million, giving many a bad case of lottery fever.
(Photo courtesy Animal Action Rescue)
Billie Jean suffered from mange before being rescued.(Photo courtesy Animal Action Rescue)
