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Alicia S. and Thomas K. adopted Zoey from Darlington County Humane Society in May 2026 and later adopted Buffy, whom they had been fostering. The ASPCA says the couple’s decisions gave two dogs with significant health challenges a home; the family has since moved to Montana.
Alicia S. and Thomas K. adopted Zoey, a heartworm-positive dog who had spent nearly 10 months at Darlington County Humane Society in South Carolina, and later adopted Buffy, the dog they had been fostering from the same organization. The ASPCA says the couple’s choices gave two dogs with serious health challenges permanent homes and took them with the family to Montana.
Zoey, a gray-and-white pit bull, arrived at the Hartsville shelter in August 2025 after being abandoned by her previous owner. The shelter diagnosed her with heartworm disease. According to the ASPCA report, her affectionate temperament and ability to get along with other dogs did not overcome adopters’ concerns about her diagnosis. Alicia and Thomas met her in May 2026 and chose to adopt her.
After the adoption, Zoey received veterinary treatment and is now heartworm-free, the ASPCA reported. She settled into her new home, where she plays in the yard and spends time with Alicia. The report does not give details of her treatment or its cost.
The couple had also been fostering Buffy, a dog with seizures. As Alicia and Thomas prepared to move across the country, they decided they did not want to give her up. They adopted Buffy in July 2026. The dogs, who had become friends, now live with the couple in Montana and have two acres to explore, according to the report.
Two Dogs Found Permanent Homes
The story shows how adoption and fostering can connect: the couple’s experience caring for Buffy helped them decide to adopt Zoey, while their bond with Buffy led them to make her placement permanent. Both dogs had medical needs that could complicate finding a home, according to the ASPCA.
For shelters, a foster placement can give an animal a home environment while adopters learn about its needs and personality. In this case, the outcome described by the ASPCA was two adoptions by one family. The report offers an individual example, not evidence of a broader change in adoption rates or shelter outcomes.
From Hartsville to Montana
The Darlington County Humane Society joined The Rescue Effect in August 2025, the same month Zoey arrived. The ASPCA describes The Rescue Effect as a national campaign intended to help animals find homes. Zoey remained at the shelter until Alicia and Thomas met her in May 2026.
Buffy was already in the couple’s care as a foster dog when they adopted Zoey. The family’s move prompted a decision about Buffy’s future. They adopted her in July, then moved with both dogs to Montana. The ASPCA report centers on this family’s experience and does not provide campaign-wide figures.
““When Alicia and Thomas met Zoey, they saw a dog who deserved a chance.””
— Autumn Fowler, executive director of Darlington County Humane Society
Treatment and Campaign Data
The ASPCA report says Zoey is heartworm-free after receiving veterinary treatment, but it does not identify the treatment plan, timeline, provider or cost. It also does not detail Buffy’s seizures, her care or her current health status beyond saying that she thrived while being fostered.
The article provides no overall adoption or campaign statistics, so the family’s experience cannot show how often The Rescue Effect leads to similar outcomes. It also does not specify the date the family completed its move to Montana.
The Dogs’ New Life in Montana
The immediate next chapter described in the report is the family’s life in Montana, where Zoey and Buffy can run and explore on two acres. No further milestones or follow-up dates are provided. The ASPCA invites people interested in helping shelter animals to learn how to join The Rescue Effect.
Key Questions
When did Alicia and Thomas adopt Zoey?
They met and adopted Zoey in May 2026, nearly 10 months after she arrived at Darlington County Humane Society.
Why had Zoey waited at the shelter?
Zoey had heartworm disease, and the ASPCA report says adopters were intimidated by her diagnosis despite her affectionate nature.
Who is Buffy?
Buffy was a dog with seizures whom Alicia and Thomas fostered through the same humane society. They adopted her in July 2026.
Where do Zoey and Buffy live now?
The couple moved from South Carolina to Montana with both dogs. The ASPCA says they have two acres to run and explore.
Source: rss
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