Wilbur, the Unlikely Internet Celebrity | Community Spirit

Wilbur is an unlikely internet celebrity.

Picked up by Caroline Animal Control, Wilbur and a canine buddy entered the shelter severely underweight. So skinny in fact, that Wilbur managed to slip out of his collar and escape the folks who were trying to save him. He made his way back to the shelter, however, and sat outside of his buddy’s kennel. Wilbur had decided that the people at Caroline Animal Control weren’t so bad after all.

Enter the Richmond Animal League. Specifically, Board President Sharon Cornett and long-time RAL volunteer Carolyn Turner. When Carolyn shared Wilbur’s picture with her, Sharon knew that Wilbur would be coming to RAL. Wilbur’s picture hit RAL’s Facebook page and went viral. Offers of donations to offset the costs of Wilbur’s health care came in, and many people offered to foster Wilbur.

Presently Wilbur is enjoying all the comforts of a much-loved pet in his foster home - regular meals, naps on the couch, and a few canine buddies to pal around with. He still has a rough road ahead of him; Wilbur still has to be treated for heartworms, a parasitic infection common in neglected dogs.

Fans continue to follow Wilbur’s story on RAL’s website and social media outlets. An adoption application arrived from Pennsylvania. This skinny, abandoned pup has people across the internet pulling for him.

Wilbur will make his first big public at RAL’s Woofstock festival this Saturday, April 28th. Aside from the chance to meet Wilbur, visitors can enjoy live music, food, drinks, contests and games; more than a dozen animal rescue organizations will be in attendance with available dogs looking for forever homes.

Join Richmond Animal League on April 28th on historic Monument Avenue for a day of family and pet friendly fun. Woofstock 2012 will feature music by the Chris Adams Band, food and drinks, activities for kids and dogs, and RAL is delighted to welcome CBS 6’s Carrie Rose and Lite98’s Kat Simons to this year’s festival. All proceeds benefit the Richmond Animal League, Richmond’s oldest non-profit no-kill shelter.

For more information about Woofstock and the Richmond Animal League, visit www.ral.org.