Justin Price

The Republic | azcentral.com

Owners of the almost two dozen dogs that died at a Gilbert-area kennel site in June gave new life to their loss Saturday by aiding in the adoption of over 60 other dogs.

The dogs at the Maricopa County Animal Care and Control - West Shelter would have otherwise been euthanized at 5 a.m. Saturday morning, but the shelter guaranteed that would not happen in light of the adoptions.

To celebrate their second chance, each was walked around outside the shelter in a parade-like fashion.

The group of dog owners, known as the Gilbert 23, used $13,000 raised through the crowdsourcing website gofundme.com account that was set up after the incident at Green Acre Dog Boarding to fund the adoptions.

Authorities found 21 dead dogs when they went to the kennel on June 21, on a county island near Gilbert. Another two dogs that had been at the kennel also died, including one that apparently ran away.

People began to gather outside the shelter anticipating the moment the doors to the front entrance of the shelter would open and the parade would begin.

And when it did, one by one, the dogs exited the shelter freshly groomed and sporting purple bandannas as they walked through the cheering crowd.

Some dogs were timid, others excited and anxiously licking the faces of children apparently just as eager to pet the dogs that nearly didn't exist to see the sun rise.

"We're just excited to see the dogs leave a legacy for others that died," said Shannon Gillette, who lost two golden retrievers to the Green Acre and has spearheaded the Gilbert 23 group's activities.

Gillette encouraged those moved by the incident to pursue ways to help dogs like those adopted Saturday.

She said fostering can be great for people concerned with the cost of caring for a pet because rescue shelters retain financial responsibility for dogs people foster.

Another way to contribute, she said, is to adopt from shelters rather than shop through breeders.

People can volunteer at rescue shelters since most regularly seek additional help.

The Arizona Small Dog Rescue was one of the shelters that participated in Saturday's event. It is a no-kill shelter, meaning it rescues dogs from shelters that euthanize and tries to get them adopted.

The rescue is always hungry for more volunteers, the shelter's founder, Angi Hopson said.

"The more people that volunteer at no-kill shelters, the more dogs can be saved," Hopson said.

How to help:

Volunteer at local shelters.

Consider adoption or rescue before going through a breeder.

Foster a dog. Most rescue shelters will cover the cost.

Make a donation to local shelters. Spare blankets and towels make a difference.