Tuk

Tuk was an awesome 1-year-old, playful, loving, potty-trained, black lab 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, Tuk and two other dogs we photographed, Rio 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 Tuk, Rio 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 Tuk's case, offering to foster him, cover the adoption and spay/neuter fees or transport him to wherever a willing forever family lived. Eventually, a man named Jay saw the picture and adopted Tuk before ever meeting him in person. Our picture was all he needed to know that Tuk belonged with him on his 6-acre home where he would be safe, loved and could run and play with his 7-month-old white lab mix.

This picture saved Tuk's life!

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