TL;DR
Alicia and Thomas adopted Zoey from the Darlington County Humane Society in May 2026, after she spent nearly 10 months at the South Carolina shelter with heartworm disease. They had been fostering Buffy, a dog with seizures, and adopted her in July before moving to Montana with both dogs.
Alicia S. and Thomas K. adopted Zoey, a dog with heartworm disease who had spent nearly 10 months at the Darlington County Humane Society in South Carolina, in May 2026. The couple later adopted Buffy, a dog they had been fostering, giving both animals a home before the family moved to Montana, according to an ASPCA report.
Zoey, a gray-and-white pit bull, arrived at the Hartsville shelter in August 2025 after her previous owner abandoned her. She was diagnosed with heartworm disease, a condition that the ASPCA report says made potential adopters hesitate despite her affectionate personality and easygoing relationships with other dogs. She remained at the shelter until Alicia and Thomas met her in May 2026.
The couple adopted Zoey and she received the veterinary treatment she needed. The report says she is now heartworm-free and has settled into life with Alicia and Thomas. While the couple was fostering Buffy, who had seizures, they built a bond with her and decided to adopt her as their foster period was nearing its end and they prepared to move. Buffy’s adoption became official in July.
The family relocated to Montana with both dogs. According to the report, Zoey and Buffy now have two acres to run and explore. It does not provide the dogs’ precise move date or details of their ongoing veterinary care.
One Foster Placement, Two Adoptions
The account shows how a foster placement can lead to an adoption beyond the animal initially in the home. Alicia and Thomas’ experience with Buffy preceded their decision to adopt Zoey, while their commitment to Buffy continued through her health challenges. In the shelter’s account, the result was two dogs adopted by one family.
For shelters, animals with medical needs may face added barriers to adoption. Zoey’s long stay and eventual adoption after treatment illustrate one such path, while Buffy’s story highlights fostering as a period of stability that can become permanent. The report offers an individual example; it does not quantify a broader effect on shelter adoption rates.
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Zoey’s Long Shelter Stay
In August 2025, the same month Zoey arrived, the Darlington County Humane Society joined The Rescue Effect, the ASPCA’s national campaign to help animals find homes. Zoey’s stay continued for nearly 10 months. The ASPCA report says adopters were often intimidated by her heartworm diagnosis, even though she was described as affectionate and comfortable around other dogs.
Buffy was also in the care of the organization and had a history of seizures. Alicia and Thomas fostered her while she faced an uncertain future. As they planned a cross-country move, they decided they could not part with her. Their July adoption meant both dogs would move with them to Montana.
“When Alicia and Thomas met Zoey, they saw a dog who deserved a chance.”
— Autumn Fowler, executive director of Darlington County Humane Society
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Details the Report Leaves Open
The ASPCA account does not give the exact dates of the family’s move to Montana, the duration or cost of Zoey’s heartworm treatment, or further details about Buffy’s seizure care. It also does not identify a specific future milestone for either dog. The report describes the dogs as thriving, but provides no veterinary records or independent follow-up.
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Both Dogs Settle in Montana
The report’s latest update places Zoey and Buffy with Alicia and Thomas in Montana, where the dogs have room to run and explore. It does not announce a next event or additional update. The ASPCA directs people interested in helping shelter animals to learn about joining The Rescue Effect.
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Key Questions
When was Zoey adopted?
Alicia and Thomas adopted Zoey in May 2026, nearly 10 months after she arrived at the Darlington County Humane Society.
What health challenges did Zoey and Buffy face?
Zoey had heartworm disease and later became heartworm-free after receiving veterinary treatment. Buffy suffered from seizures, according to the ASPCA report.
When did the couple adopt Buffy?
The couple adopted Buffy in July 2026, after fostering her and deciding they did not want to part with her before their move.
Where do the dogs live now?
According to the report, Alicia, Thomas, Zoey and Buffy moved to Montana, where the dogs have two acres to run and explore.
Source: rss
