Ella’s Journey: From Pain to Progress – Look Who’s Standing Now!

Ella is a sweet, gentle, and beautiful golden retriever, but she's in agonizing pain due to a rare and life-threatening case of tetanus. Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge rushed her to the hospital, as she was unable to walk or stand.

This infection is so uncommon that it often goes undetected until it's dangerously advanced. There’s no visible injury, just a silent, devastating illness likely triggered by something as small as a pinprick from a rusty object. Now, she faces paralysis, severe nerve pain, and a long road to recovery. Ella’s only chance of survival is intensive, around-the-clock hospitalization for up to two weeks.

That care comes at a staggering cost—estimated at $23,000 for the first week alone. Ella needs continuous sedation, advanced pain management, and close monitoring to make it through. This level of specialized treatment is more than this rescue can manage on its own. But with your help and the kindness of generous donors like you, Ella has a real chance at recovery.

She’s alert. She’s responsive. She hasn’t given up, and as of very recently, she is standing! This rescue will not give up on her and hopes that one day she will walk again. Please donate towards Ella’s critical care and recovery and be the difference in giving her a chance to wag her tail again, free of pain. Ella is counting on you.

Update 6/25/25
Ella's recovery from tetanus is going very slow, but she has a wonderful foster home (vet and family) to provide all the love and care she needs to get through this and keep her in good spirits. Thank you for your continued support.

Update 7/17/25
Ella's recovery is still going slow but she is healing; it will just take some time. She is surrounded with lots of love and care, and hopefully, she can find her forever home once she starts making some more progress! Thank you for your continued support as Ella's bills are astronomical, and this rescue cannot care for her without your help.