Rio

Rio was a gorgeous yellow and white Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix that we photographed in April 2013 at the City of San Antonio Animal Control Services (SAACS) in San Antonio, Texas. At the time of our visit, SAACS had a euthanasia rate of approximately 23% due to overcrowding, meaning one out of every four animals housed at the facility did not make it out alive*. Sadly, Rio and two other dogs we photographed, Tuk and Sport, were on the list and scheduled for euthanasia at 5:00pm on the day we arrived. Without sufficient time to get to all of the animals the shelter wanted photographed, SAACS broke protocol and gave Rio, Tuk and Sport a "24-hour stay of execution" to give their pictures a chance to reach as many people as possible.

We worked through the night, processing and promoting our pictures of the three dogs. Facebook users from all over the United States joined in and pleaded Rio's case. Fortunately, a no-kill rescue saw Rio's picture and pulled him from SAACS before the 24-hour extension expired.

This picture saved Rio's life!

*In 2015, SAACS achieved no-kill status with a live release rate of over 90%.