For over 20 years Afghan Hound Rescue Southern California has been helping neglected, abused and discarded afghan hounds.    The horrors many of these dogs endured before rescue is hard to imagine.   Absolutely shattering and heartbreaking.    So many arrive close to death from neglect.  The transformation that occurs at AHRSC is nothing short of miraculous.    Once AHRSC is alerted to an afghan hound in need, they work to acquire the hound.    Transport (whether by car or plane)  is arranged and once the hound arrives at AHRSC, they are taken to the vet.  The vet draws blood to check for illness, parasites, etc., then they are examined thoroughly.  Most are in dire need of a dental as their teeth have rotted from years of neglect.  They are usually intact so need to be spayed or neutered.    Many need to be on antibiotics to cure them of illness as well.   Many are heartworm positive.  The cure for this entails an expensive two month protocol and then six months before they are retested.  If they are negative, they can be spayed/neutered and adopted.  If not, they are retested in a few more months.  Normally, they are matted to the skin and need to be shaved down and  bathed to free them from the painful mats which occur from lack of grooming.  These hounds are from all walks of life, from puppies to seniors.  These sensitive hounds are socialized and shown love.  For many it is the first time they have known kindness.    Some of the transformations can be seen at http://ahrsc.org   and others on the Facebook site Afghan Hound Rescue Southern California.    Once the dogs are ready, the adoption process can start.  A home visit is a must for any potential adopter.  The adoption fee, as you can imagine, doesn't begin to come close to the cost of acquiring, vetting and feeding these dogs.   Sometimes it is several months before a dog is adopted.  Sometimes it is years.   Donations have slowed to a crawl and the dogs keep coming.  This is the reason for a plea for help.   For the first time ever, AHRSC had to turn down an afghan in need recently which was heartbreaking.  Donations can be made directly at http://ahrsc.org  as well as a check mailed to Afghan Hound Rescue Southern California (please ask for address if you want to mail a check).   Paypal is also an option [email redacted].    These amazing hounds deserve all the help they can get.  I have seen some of the most astounding transformations.   One lives with us and is very loved.  Look up Faith's transformation on the website.  She is only one of hundreds of hounds rescued by AHRSC and given back the wonderful lives they deserve.   This is a cause near and dear to my heart.   From all the hounds at AHRSC, past and present, thank you.  (The first photo  is Faith when she was found at a puppy mill at the age of one year old.  The second is Faith just after she celebrated her 4th birthday with us last year.  There are many other miraculous recoveries because of AHRSC.)