Missing Hanahan Fire Station Dog Returns Home After 10 Days

Matt McCormack, Owner of DogWatch Hidden Fences and Carol Linville, Founder of Pet Helpers

Hanahan, SC — After 10 days missing, the beloved Hanahan Fire Station #1 dog has been returned to his home at the station near Campbell Road. Ash, an 8-month-old terrier mix, had gone missing early in the morning of Saturday, May 23, 2020, and with the help of the community, was found by a good Samaritan and returned to the station late last Tuesday night, June 2, 2020. “We were heading over to a friend’s house one night over the weekend, when we saw a hurt dog on the side of the road,” said Freddie Gamboa, a local construction worker who found Ash with several of his friends. “We pulled over and put him in the truck. He was such a good looking dog, we knew he had to belong to someone.” A few days later, Gamboa and his friends saw several lost dog posters that were put out by concerned members of the community. Immediately, they brought Ash to the fire station. Ash sustained several flesh wounds during the time he was missing. Pet Helpers, who partnered with the Hanahan Fire Station in efforts to find the dog, treated Ash’s injuries as well as covered the costs of his neuter surgery, microchip, and full medical screening. “We wanted to offer whatever help we could to ensure that Ash stays happy, healthy, and at home, where he provides love and comfort to our brave firefighters,” explained Carol Linville, Founder and current Board President of Pet Helpers. Linville and Pet Helpers were not alone in their desire to help. Matthew McCormack, owner of DogWatch Hidden Fences of Greater Charleston, decided to provide the station with a complimentary invisible fence, noting that he feels it is important to look after those who protect the community. The crew of Hanahan Fire Station #1 are certainly grateful for the support they have received in bringing Ash home. “We definitely want to thank everyone who helped out with getting the word out, especially Pet Helpers,” said Engineer Chris Evans, “There were a lot of hardworking people here in Hanahan that helped in the process of bringing him in.” Pet Helpers Adoption Center and Spay/Neuter Clinic is a 501(c)3 dedicated to serving the animals and community across Lowcountry. Their mission is to end the euthanasia of all adoptable cats and dogs by keeping all animals until adopted, providing low-cost spay/neuter surgeries, offering humane education programs, pursuing animal-cruelty prosecution, and initiating animal-welfare legislation. For more information, please visit www.pethelpers.org.