Special to Citrus Times

Animal Services Division mascot George the cat and his new pal, Greta, share the cot in the reception area of the facility, greeting visitors and acting as ambassadors for the many pets up for adoption at the center. Greta came to the shelter with two broken back legs but an endearing personality. Like other injured pets that come to the facility, she in need of an operation, and facility staffers have collected all but $300 needed for the advanced veterinary care she needs. (Courtesy photo)

When residents visit the Citrus County Animal Services Shelter, they find that George – a big, grey cat, longtime mascot and unofficial host of the place – has a new co-host.

That co-host is Greta, and Animal Services personnel swear she ought to be the poster child for her breed and abandoned, injured pets.

The pit bull terrier came to them about a month ago with two broken back legs. She was obviously in pain, but was still friendly to all. When treated with pain relievers, though unable to use her back legs, she blossomed into a warm and affectionate dog that won over all hearts.

The femur bones in her legs have been healing, but one leg had the ball at the end of one of her broken femurs dislocated from the hip joint by the break. Because of her extraordinary pleasant personality in spite of her injuries, the staff decided to see what they could do for her to give her a chance. They let people see her and interact with her, and many have donated for a needed hip operation.

Greta occupies a cot in the reception area, often accompanied by her friend, George or another cat or a puppy, and greets visitors. The power of her personality has inspired people to donate in $5, $10 and $20 dollar bills – and in one case, $200 – toward her operation. The staff said it needs about $300 for joyful Greta, the former stray who might have easily have been put down, to get the chance she needs to live a normal life and be adopted.

In fact, Greta is so lovable, staffers say, if she isn’t put up for adoption, she would be a fine permanent co-host with George as her species’ ambassador of good will for all stray pets at the center, emphasizing the tragedy of the thousands upon thousands of cats and dogs that are not adopted and have to be euthanized.

Donations allow Greta and other injured pets coming to Animal Services to get advanced veterinarian attention. Anyone wishing to donate to the “Greta” Fund can make checks payable to Midway Animal Hospital – one of the veterinary clinics that helps the shelter – at 1635 S. Suncoast Blvd, Homosassa FL (The Dorothy Angel fund) and place “GRETA” in the memo line on the check. For information on helping other injured pets, call 726-7660 during office hours. Visit the county’s website at www.bocc.citrus.fl.us to learn other ways to help the shelter pets.

The Animal Services facility is open from Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Thursdays, when it is open to 7 p.m., and on Saturday 10 to 3 p.m. (adoptions stop an hour before closing time on weekdays). Dogs and cats may be adopted for $20, but that can be less due to the animal’s age.

Other costs due at time of adoption can range from $30 to $100. This cost is determined by: whether it is a cat or a dog, if it is female or male, weight and age, the veterinarian that the adopter chooses, if it is already spayed or neutered, or if it needs a rabies vaccination, heartworm test, feline leukemia test, feline leukemia/aids combo test, de-worming, puppy/dog vaccination or kitten/cat vaccination.