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Alicia S. and Thomas K. adopted Zoey, a heartworm-positive dog who had spent nearly 10 months at the Darlington County Humane Society in South Carolina. The couple later adopted Buffy, a seizure-prone dog they had been fostering, giving both animals a home before the family moved to Montana.
Alicia S. and Thomas K. adopted Zoey, a dog who had spent nearly 10 months at the Darlington County Humane Society in Hartsville, South Carolina, then later adopted Buffy, a dog they had been fostering from the same organization. The ASPCA says the decisions gave two dogs with medical challenges permanent homes and illustrate how fostering can lead to another adoption.
Zoey, a gray-and-white pit bull, arrived at the shelter in August 2025 after being abandoned by her previous owner. She had heartworm disease, a diagnosis that the ASPCA report says made potential adopters hesitant. Although she was affectionate and got along easily with other dogs, Zoey waited until Alicia and Thomas met her in May 2026 and chose to adopt her.
The couple was already fostering Buffy, a dog with seizures, through the humane society. As Alicia and Thomas prepared to move across the country, they decided they did not want the foster arrangement to end. They adopted Buffy in July 2026; by then, Buffy and Zoey had become friends.
The ASPCA report says Zoey received veterinary treatment and is now heartworm-free. The two dogs moved with Alicia and Thomas to Montana, where they have two acres to run and explore. The account does not give the dates of their move or further details about Buffy’s health.
How One Adoption Led to Two
The account shows how a foster placement can become a permanent adoption and how that experience may help a family consider another animal. In this case, Alicia and Thomas’ time with Buffy preceded their decision to adopt Zoey, while adopting Buffy later kept the two dogs together.
For shelters, animals with health conditions can face extra barriers to adoption, according to the ASPCA’s account of Zoey’s experience. Her story offers a specific example of what can happen when adopters look beyond a diagnosis and commit to the care an animal needs. It does not establish how often fostering leads to additional adoptions or measure the wider effect of The Rescue Effect campaign.
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The Rescue Effect in Darlington County
The Darlington County Humane Society joined The Rescue Effect, an ASPCA national campaign aimed at helping animals find homes, in August 2025—the same month Zoey arrived. The ASPCA report follows her path from a long shelter stay to adoption and describes the couple’s separate foster-to-adopt decision with Buffy.
Zoey’s adoption came after a wait of almost 10 months. Executive Director Autumn Fowler said Zoey had become a favorite with shelter staff, volunteers and community supporters. The report does not describe specific campaign services or say that the campaign directly caused either adoption.
“When Alicia and Thomas met Zoey, they saw a dog who deserved a chance.”
— Autumn Fowler, executive director of Darlington County Humane Society
Details the Report Does Not Give
The ASPCA account does not identify the specific veterinary treatment Zoey received, when she completed it, or the care Buffy needs for her seizures. It also does not provide adoption figures for the shelter or campaign, so the two dogs’ story cannot be used to quantify The Rescue Effect’s overall results.
The report names the adopters only as Alicia S. and Thomas K. and does not state when the family moved to Montana. No further information is provided about their ongoing relationship with the South Carolina shelter or the dogs’ long-term health.
The Dogs’ New Life in Montana
The account’s latest update is that Zoey and Buffy are living with Alicia and Thomas in Montana, with two acres to explore. It describes both dogs as settled into their home, but does not announce a future milestone or provide a schedule for additional updates.
The ASPCA report points readers interested in helping shelter animals toward The Rescue Effect. The article does not specify upcoming campaign events or new program announcements.
Key Questions
When did Alicia and Thomas adopt Zoey?
They adopted her in May 2026, nearly 10 months after she arrived at the Darlington County Humane Society.
Why had Zoey been waiting for a home?
Zoey had heartworm disease, and the ASPCA report says many prospective adopters were intimidated by her diagnosis.
How did Buffy become part of the family?
Alicia and Thomas were fostering Buffy, who had seizures. As they prepared to move, they decided to adopt her; the adoption was official in July 2026.
Where are Zoey and Buffy now?
The ASPCA report says both dogs moved with Alicia and Thomas to Montana, where they have two acres to run and explore.
Did The Rescue Effect directly lead to the adoptions?
The report says the Darlington County Humane Society joined The Rescue Effect in August 2025 and recounts the adoptions. It does not establish that the campaign directly caused either decision.
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