Success Stories
These campaigns reached their goal. Thank you for making it happen.
Kumo
Kumo is a five-year-old Great Pyrenees in Sylmar, CA, who needs $2,000 for an MRI.
Sylmar, CA
When Melanie A. adopted Kumo just three weeks ago, she pledged she would be his dog mom for better or for worse. Sadly, "for worse" came quickly. "He started suffering from seizures and had to be hospitalized," Melanie tells Waggle. "They ran multiple tests, ruled out internal diseases, and we now have to meet with a neurologist for an MRI, which we can't afford. I'm a mother of three children and don't have enough income to cover his vet bills and future ones. I opened a Care Credit account and have already spent 6K. I need help with his upcoming neurologist appointment, which is expected to be $3,500." It's a heartbreaking situation for Melanie and her family. "He's only been with us three short weeks, but we have fallen so in love. Our kids adore him. We call him our gentle giant. He sometimes forgets his size and thinks he's a lot smaller and loves to act like a puppy. He loves going on walks and to the dog park. He loves giving drooly kisses! He has the sweetest soul ever," Melanie says. The medical team at True Care For Pets has him scheduled for the MRI later in January, and Melanie hopes generous pet lovers will give to Kumo's campaign so they get answers and have a much better new year. "Help me give him a chance to live a good life," she pleads.
Fennel
Fennel is a four-month-old German Shepherd mix in Norwalk, CT, who needs $1,500 for urgent care.
Norwalk, CT • Pet Animal Welfare Society
Fennel started his life in one of the worst places in the U.S. for dogs: South Texas. Countless sick and injured dogs live on the streets. Only the lucky ones get saved. When PAWS, the Pet Animal Welfare Society in CT, first saw Fennel's picture and cute face, they knew they had to rescue him. Once he arrived in New England, the group got quite a shock: the pup had two infected, gaping, oozing lacerations on his leg. Fennel was limping in pain and needed emergency care. "We don't know how it happened," Ellen E., with PAWS, tells Waggle. "He could have had a terrible history. Maybe he was stabbed? Or perhaps he just got caught on something?" They rushed him to VCA Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center, where the medical team cleaned Fennel's wounds, put a drain in the larger laceration, and sutured it closed. "If it had been left untreated, he could have lost his leg," Ellen says. Once Fennel heals up, he will be ready for adoption and ready to find his forever home. "He is smart, sweet, and a sensitive boy who will do well with an active family," Ellen says. "He is a very friendly pup who gets along with everyone. He has such a great disposition. He is outgoing and comfortable with people and other animals. He is a perfect size and will be someone's best friend." PAWS relies on donations to help pay the medical bills for all the animals the organization saves, including Fennel. They're hoping you will pitch in this holiday season and help them pay off his emergency veterinary tab. "We thank everyone for their kindness to come to his aid," Ellen says. Will you help Fennel get back on all four feet again?
Frijolito
Frijolito is a Terrier mix puppy in Moab, UT, who needs $2,000 for emergency care.
Moab, UT • Underdog Animal Rescue and Rehab- Moab
Frijolito is in a fight for his life, and he needs your help! The sweet puppy was surrendered to Underdog Rescue and Rehab with his littermates and mother. Then all his puppy siblings took a turn for the worse and passed away. "It was tragic," Chey P., with the group, tells Waggle. The staff whisked Frijolito to Mill Creek Animal Hospital and got grave news: He had Parvo, a potentially deadly virus, and he was hypoglycemic. The medical team quickly started the pup on IVs of medications and fluids. "We were so worried about him," Chey says. "He was so small, but we knew he was a fighter." The pup spent days at the hospital getting critical care, resulting in a $3000 bill for the rescue. The nonprofit group relies on generous pet lovers for these expensive medical cases, and they're trying to raise the money to pay for Frijolito's tab. "Our policy here at Underdog is 'no dog left behind,' this means we take in all of the medical cases. No matter how large. Donations are the only reason we can do this," Cheyleen P., with the rescue, tells Waggle. Underdog is already starting to see signs of improvement in Frijolito, and he's now out of the hospital. "Once he's healed up, he will be up for adoption. We are so thrilled. We want to say a huge thank you to anyone who donates to his campaign. This was an unexpected and emergency bill for us," Chey says. Please help Frijolito's 2022 be merry and bright!
Moose
Moose is a five-year-old Great Pyrenees in Lansing, MI, who needs $2,000 for knee surgery.
Lansing, MI
Moose and his canine sister came to Jane E. and her family almost five years ago as puppies. "Their parents are livestock guardian dogs," Jane tells Waggle." He was the biggest puppy in his litter, and it wasn't long after he came to live with us that we realized his name needed to be Moose. He's always been a very laid-back dog and has always been the calm one." Moose became an instant and important member of the family. "Moose loves everyone in the house and even puts up with my granddaughter," Jane says. "He will definitely let us know if there's something outside we need to be concerned with. The only time he gets really excited is when it's time for him to eat - he loves his food! His favorite treats are peanut-butter-flavored dog cookies." But even though Moose is the mellow one, he recently ruptured a ligament in his back left knee. "We're not sure how it happened, but suspect either he slipped on ice in the yard or his sister was playing too rough," Jane says. Now Moose needs surgery to fix up his knee, but Jane is having a tough time coming up with all the money. "Moose is one of my family. I hate seeing him hobble around, knowing he's in pain. Unfortunately, I was not prepared for an emergency expense like knee surgery. Getting Moose healthy is my top priority right now," Jane says. Please help Moose stop hobbling and get back to his happy old self!
Ferguson
Ferguson is a two-year-old Domestic Shorthair cat in Neola, IA, who needs $1,400 for critical care.
Neola, IA
Kimberlee D. has a special place in her heart and her home for special needs cats. And word has gotten out about her superpowers to help and heal these felines. Last summer, a cat rescue contacted Kimberlee and asked her to adopt Ferguson. He was in a shelter, and his back legs were not working. "I couldn't say no," Kimberlee tells Waggle. "I did not have the heart to say no. I have such a bond with special needs babies. I knew we'd be able to help him." Ferguson arrived and perfectly fit in with the rest of her human and animal family members. Kimberlee and her new kitty made many trips to her veterinarian at the Shelby Vet Clinic. The medical team believes Ferguson suffered a traumatic injury and may not walk again. But Kimberlee said, "That is OK," and set Ferguson up with custom accommodations. "He has his playpen where he stays when we are not home," she says. "Ferguson scoots around our home and enjoys napping on the heating pad and soft blankets, snuggling with his fur siblings and humans, birdwatching, and meowing to get treats and chin scratches." Ferguson doesn't have feeling in his hind limbs and is incontinent. Kimberlee expresses his bladder so he can urinate. Recently Ferguson started having some reoccurring urinary tract infections and was losing weight. The pair were back at the animal hospital for X-rays, tests, antibiotics, fluids, and prescription food. Kimberlee is trying to recover after a rough 2021. First, she had heart surgery, then she caught COVID, missed work, and many paychecks. She's racing to catch up financially and is struggling to pay for Ferguson's ongoing care. She was hesitant to launch this fundraiser as she's not used to asking for help caring for her animals, but she could use a little assistance right now. "I've never had to reach out until recently," Kimberlee says. "To have this help while we work on bouncing back would be incredible. I promised these special needs cats and all of our pets that I would care for them. When you take in a pet, it is a lifelong commitment. When you fall on hard times, you don't get rid of them. And you don't put them down when they need vet care. I am committed to making sure they are as happy and healthy as they can be. Making sure Ferguson is stable long-term is very important to me. He's so gentle and loving. I want to make sure; given his condition, he can have the happiest life he can have. Saying, 'thank you for your help,' seems so inadequate. I'm am so grateful." Help show Kimberlee and Ferguson we are rooting for them!
Marnie
Marnie is a nine-year-old Labrador mix in Huntington, WV, who needs $1,700 for urgent medical care.
Huntington, WV • One by One Animal Advocates
*You can donate to Marnie AND join our monthly giving FurEver Fund to help more pets just like her. For GivingTuesday, we’ll DOUBLE your donation! Click the blue donate button and choose the Monthly Donation option. <a href="https://www.waggle.org/sponsor-page/a992864f8c4b30b4d5a22c1b" target="_blank">Take a look here</a> to see all the pets I Heart Dogs helped get medical treatment!* "She looked defeated, tired, and weary. Her eyes said, 'What could possibly be next?' Heather A., from One By One Animal Advocates, tells Waggle about the first moment she saw Marnie. "It just broke my heart. I thought, 'We are going to make you better!'" The group saved Marnie from a kill shelter after her owner surrendered her. "He told the shelter he could not deal with her anymore. He had her since she was a puppy. He didn't even give the shelter her name, so we named her Marnie. She was in very poor condition and was absolutely miserable," Heather says. Volunteers drove Marnie to Animal Care Clinic Inc., where she was immediately put into medical boarding and diagnosed with mange, Lyme disease, and skin and ear infections. Marnie's eyes were nearly swollen shut and crusted with green goop. She had been suffering from chronic dry eye for so long that extra blood vessels grew over her cornea, and now she is nearly blind. Now Marnie is getting the care she needs, including antibiotics for all her infections, pain medication, treatment for her mange and eyes. "Her terrible days are behind her. We will never give up on her," Heather says. One By One Animal Advocates is raising money to help pay for all the medical care Marnie needs. Please consider donating on this girl's behalf. Help her finally get the ever-lasting love she deserves.
Penny
Penny is a 10-year-old Maltepoo in Lomita, CA, who needs $364 for Seizure evaluation.
Lomita, CA
I rescued Penny from the Riverside County Dept of Animal Services in August 2015. She was a dirty pup with a broken tooth and a sparkling personality. I knew she should be mine. I walked by her cage and she chose ME! We fit together perfectly. We have been through a lot the last couple of years but we take care of each other through it all. We live with my Uncle until I can get on my feet again. My Penny suffers from extreme separation anxiety. She is constantly on her hind legs with her little paws in the air begging for attention and to be picked up. No one minds tho because she is the perfect lap dog. She is loved by everyone she meets. She is great with kids and with other dogs. Penny loves her walks. She loves her life. And she loves to sleep right next to me every night. Penny is also a goofball. She will literally eat ANYTHING that’s dropped on the floor so we have to dive for dropped items because that girl is QUICK! She is also quirky - as she lays down with her back legs straight out looking comfy. Penny loves car rides and visiting new places. But her most favorite thing is hanging with family (and her doggie cousins). A few weeks ago Penny began having what I think are focal seizures (see video). Her paw goes up and her head tilts and she gets a ”help-me” look in her little eyes. They last a couple of minutes and then she is back to normal. It seems to happen after she is overly excited or stressed. She has had a total of 6 with 3 of them being in the last 10 days. No vet as I am unable to pay. To be candid, I too suffer from anxiety which has been exacerbated with the pandemic. I was laid off after 10 years which led to me losing my apartment and my car. I have been actively seeking work that will accommodate my transportation limitations. No job offers yet.
Hunter
Hunter is a 3-year-old Boxer/Rottweiler mix in Bethel park, PA, who needs $500 for Midazolam, IV fluids, and ICU care.
Bethel park, PA
Hunter was an owner surrender to the local humane society with his 13 litter mates. His mother’s owner was overwhelmed by the large number of pups from an accidental litter, and he wound up at the humane society. My son and I were chosen as his family and we picked him up at 8 weeks old. He is my constant companion, travels everywhere with me, and my snuggle buddy at night. Hunter is the dog I have always wanted. He is wonderfully behaved, gets along with all the other dogs he encounters, and comes to work with me every day teaching horseback riding lessons in our barn. He loves to hike and run with me on local trails and when we travel. One of his favorite things is to splash in the ocean on vacation, where he of course comes with the family! Hunter loves to play with toys. He will entertain himself for hours, throwing a stuffed animal in the air and chasing after it. He also loves to hike and run, and otherwise be in the woods with me. He is the most special and gentle dog with my young son as well as all of the children that come through my barn, everyone adores him. Hunter loves to steal water bottles and crunch them. He has a tendency to try to get into the trash, usually for this purpose. Our trash can is kept in a pantry that shuts, but on 1/19 he was able to access it. He ingested some vegetable peels that had been in the trash a few days, and had molded and is at MedVet Pittsburgh receiving treatment for mold toxicity. The vets think they can save him. Hunter was my promise to myself to never go back to an abusive relationship. He is my best friend. I am a single parent, self employed, and recently missed work due to having Covid for the second time. Additionally, my work has been slow due to clients from work having Covid
Rico
Rico is a 11-year-old Chihauha in Wichita, KS, who needs $185 for Heart murmur consultation/treatment, ocular test for cataracts.
Wichita, KS
I rescued my little Rico November 2021 from a person in Texas. He was taken away from his owner who was kicking him in the head and throwing him. I wanted to give him the best remainder of his life. When I got him he also had fleas, never had shots, no dental work and his nails had never been trimmed. He was underweight at 7 pounds, not affectionate, and walked with his tail tucked under. Forward 3 months....Rico has gained two pounds, vaccinated, nails trimmed, enjoys the company of my two other dogs, loves his sweater on, and now will whine for me to pick him up and snuggle...even sleeps in my bed now. He used to like being in the kennel but now wants to be out freely in the house so he can be comfortable where he chooses. The change in 3 months makes my heart melt. He knows my scent and my voice and now wags his tail when I’m around. The mere desire to snuggle and cuddle brings the most joy to me as I know that HE knows he is now safe. His tail is no longer tucked under. Even though he is part blind and deaf from the abuse, his progress has made me the happiest person ever. Due to little to no medical care his entire life, he has a cough as a result of a heart murmur, he has cataracts that may be improved, and all his teeth will need pulled (what’s left of them) once the heart murmur is under control. This first request is to do an ecg if his heart and a 3d X-ray to see what steps are next for his heart murmur. The teeth will occur when this is fixed Due to a fixed income, single, and just spent an enormous amount for medical work on one of my other dogs (teeth and bladder cysts removed), I am hoping for some assistance to get my boy as healthy as possible. No one knew the extent of his medical issues prior to this.