When the Oxford K-9 Stray Rescue League made a plea for help, Jim Maczak, owner of Zak Computers in Oxford, came to the rescue.
‘We saw it on Fox 2 Problem Solvers that it was an Oxford business, it was strapped for cash, and needed a computer,? said Maczak. ‘So we whipped one up for them.?
K-9 Stray Rescue League, located on Metamora Road, is an independent, nonprofit group of volunteers who save dogs scheduled to be euthanized at county animal shelters (see story below).
According to Lori Stevenson, league administrator, the only computer they had was destroyed by a puppy with a small bladder.
‘I came in one morning and found the computer sitting in a puddle and it was doomed,? she said.
Because the rescue league is a nonprofit agency, Stevenson said replacing the computer would be too costly, so volunteers began searching for help.
‘One of our volunteers emailed Channel 2 Fox Problem Solvers and they found Jim,? Stevenson said.
News of the soggy computer reached Fox 2 newscaster Bill Gallagher, who aired a spot with Stevenson, explaining the now-defunct computer was used to maintain an up-to-date history of the league’s canine adoptions to organizations such as Leader Dogs for the Blind, United States Customs Department and PAWS for a Cause as well as private adoptions.
The computer also stored historical records span ning the entire 13 years the K-9 Stray Rescue League has been in operation.
‘We heard the rescue league needed a computer and Zak’s contacted us to help them out,? said Gallager. ‘They take care of dogs that are doomed and have ended up placing a number of them.?
‘It’s a good story, a good thing that they’re doing up there,? Gallager added.
An animal lover, Maczak knew he could fix the soggy system for the rescue group, but instead went the extra mile and built a computer designed specifically to suit the league’s data base needs.
Within two days, the custom computer was delivered to the canine ranch, saving the league more than $500. ‘Luckily they kept meticulous records and backed them up on an external drive,? said Maczak adding that Lori was able to reload what was lost on the old computer.
Thanks to the new computer, Stevenson said the rescue ranch is back in business with their records. Contacts have been saved, adoptions are back underway, and the new computer was placed out of canine reach.
‘I’ve learned my lesson,? said a grateful Stevenson. ‘The computer is wonderful, much quicker, much more efficient.?
‘Zak (Computers) really stepped up to the plate.?