Saving Lives with The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut

If you've ever had a puppy, you know how quickly it can happen: the inedible becomes edible. Garbage, socks, stuff on the ground, and in Jagger's case, a toy, becomes fair game. The four-month-old puppy gobbled it down with his razor-like teeth. 

"Jagger started vomiting," Edgar A., Jagger's human dad, tells Waggle. "We took him to Central Veterinary Hospital in Guilford, CT, for emergency care." That's where X-rays confirmed he ate part of a toy. Everyone hoped it would pass through his system."

But the next day, Jagger took a turn for the worse, and he needed urgent surgery. That's when the medical team discovered the pup had a congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Jagger also had a perforated stomach, resulting in its contents leaking into his chest and a massive infection.

How Waggle Helps Local Communities

The surgeon repaired Jagger's hernia and abdomen, but the pup was so sick from the infection he needed to be hospitalized for a week with chest tubes to help him heal.

Jagger's hospital bill was staggering. "His family could not afford his care. That's a huge financial burden for anyone,” Sarah M., with Central Veterinary Hospital, tells Waggle. 

In dire cases like this, some families end up surrendering their pets to an animal hospital or may have to choose economic euthanasia and put them to sleep. "Jagger's family loved him. They wanted to try to raise the money," Sarah says.

The animal hospital contacted Waggle and helped Edgar create a campaign. When the staff at Waggle read about Jagger, they too fell in love with the puppy. 

"We felt Jagger would be the perfect pup for a grant from The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut (CFECT). Their mission fits at the very heart of what Waggle does - helping people and animals. We continue to expand the number and types of community foundations we work with," Steven Mornelli, the founder and CEO of Waggle, says.

CFECT is one of hundreds of nonprofit community foundations in the U.S. that work each day to improve the quality of life for local families and residents. Waggle's technology doubles funding provided by our partners, and that's how $4,000 was raised toward Jagger's tab. 

"I thought that was awesome," Sarah says. "This family would not be able to do any of the treatment without this help. It's great that they offer that grant to the community. It was my first time dealing with Waggle, and I'm very happy about it."  

 The Waggle Foundation also raised an additional $2000 for Jagger working with I Heart Dogs.

More Good News

"After nine days in the ICU, he is home and back to normal! Thank you so much to everyone who donated. You all literally helped save his life. We don't know what we would have done if we didn't have the help and support from our loving Waggle friends," Sarah says. 

And Edgar says he and his family are filled with gratitude. Their holidays will be much brighter this year. "I'm so happy and overwhelmed with relief that Waggle was so generous to help our family."

How to Help Save Pets in Crisis! 

If you would like to learn how Waggle can benefit your foundation or company, please contact us.

To help us save more pets in crisis, we invite you to join our our FurEver Fund.

Are you a rescue or shelter with veterinary bills? Get the support you need by creating your account today!

 

Apply for a CFECT Grant at Waggle:

To apply for a matching grant in select Connecticut counties, please complete a CFECT Sponsorship application.