Luke Was Starving to Death. Now He’s Fighting to Live

When Luke was adopted from Stanislaus Animal Services about four months ago, everyone hoped he had finally found safety. When his former foster, Robin, went to bring him back to the shelter after being contacted by the adopter for surrender, she was horrified by what she found. Luke had been reduced to skin and bones.

A dog who had once weighed approximately 42 pounds was now just 22 pounds. His ribs, hips, and spine were painfully visible. He was so weak that he could barely walk.

His body was covered in urine and feces. His coat was severely matted. Fleas and ticks were crawling across him. Thick green mucus filled his nose, and his eyes were covered in discharge. His body-condition score was an unimaginable 1 out of 10.

Luke had reportedly spent months confined to a crate in a backyard, wasting away. Whatever happened during those four months, his body was telling a heartbreaking story: this dog had been desperately neglected and was in critical condition.

Robin immediately contacted Woof Tribe. When Brandy saw Luke’s photographs, she didn't hesitate. “He’s Woof Tribe now.”

Luke was rushed to Standiford Veterinary Center, where the fight to save his life began. Woof Tribe quickly found ourselves approximately $1,800 into his care—and then Luke took an even more frightening turn.

His blood glucose would not stabilize, and neither would his red blood cells. His medical team was providing intensive care, monitoring his glucose, anemia, nutrition, and electrolytes, while watching closely for complications associated with his catastrophic malnutrition, including possible refeeding syndrome.

Luke needed to survive long enough to get the answers his body was desperately asking for. And somehow, despite everything, this little dog kept fighting. He was eating He was standing more steadily. He was walking farther. After everything his body had endured, Luke still wanted to live. That is why Woof Tribe refused to give up.

Luke needs continued hospitalization and intensive veterinary care, followed by evaluation by internal medicine specialists to determine why his glucose and red blood cells are struggling to stabilize and what complications may be occurring inside his severely malnourished body.

The estimated additional cost is $4,000–$7,000, and every dollar raised will help give Luke more time and access to the medical care he needs.

Luke has already survived what should have broken him. Now he deserves the chance to discover what life feels like when he is fed, healthy, safe, and loved.

Please donate whatever you can to help Woof Tribe continue Luke's lifesaving care. Even a small donation can help provide another hour, another treatment, another night of hospitalization—or another step toward the healthy life he should have had all along.

If you can't donate, please share Luke's story. A single share could put his fundraiser in front of someone who can help save his life.

Yesterday, Luke was suffering alone.

Today, he is a Woof Tribe dog.

And after everything this brave boy has survived, we're asking you to help him stay. ❤️‍🩹🐾