Success Stories
These campaigns reached their goal. Thank you for making it happen.
Olivia
Olivia is a 4-year-old Grand Pyrenees in Landenberg, PA, who needs $1,000 for heart worm treatment.
Landenberg, PA
In January 2021 Olivia(formerly known as Momma) was surrendered to a city kill shelter when her owner could no longer care for her. By the time he came to the heartbreaking decision, Olivia had already been neglected and had unknown health issues. When her foster parents spotted her she was skin and bones, soaking wet from the hoses used in the small cramped cages and seemed to have lost hope. Olivia is starting to settle in. She fits right in with my pack of adopted dogs and cats. She is mellow and kind, but has mobility issues that limit her ability to go on walks and play. Slowly she is gaining strength and hoping with proper nutrition and gentle exercise she will be able to enjoy long walks and play in my large yard with her new family. My companion Noah, a black lab, collapsed suddenly, and needed an MRI to determine his situation. The cost was 4,000.00 and Olivia's medical needs have left me broke, and I need help to continuing helping her Heartworms have zapped her strength, and she has significant muscle wasting, possibly as a result of past confinement? A recent test shows that she does Not have degenerative myelopathy, so after she regains strength it will give us a better understanding of the steps needed to help her mobility. If you look into Olivia's eyes, you can't help but see her kindness and old soul. She deserves a wonderful life, as the depth of her love is evident to all. Her calming influence can be felt by those who meet her, both people and animals. I would love to see her thrive, and helping her feel better will give her that opportunity.
Jasper
Jasper is a two-year-old Lab mix in Moab, UT, who needs $2,000 for critical care.
Moab, UT • Underdog Animal Rescue and Rehab- Moab
Jasper was found struggling to walk to his water bowl in 109-degree heat on a reservation in New Mexico. Originally rescuers thought he had been hit by a car. It was clear he was in agony and needed to get to an animal hospital immediately, but his owner could not afford his care. Someone got in touch with Underdog Rescue, and the organization rushed him to Mill Creek Animal Hospital. He arrived filthy, suffering, and scared. "We aren't totally sure of Jasper's personality," Chiara S., who helped the rescue with Jasper's care, tells Waggle. "We have only seen him in a great deal of pain and very lethargic. However, in my visits to him at the hospital, he has been incredibly sweet. His kind eyes are always happy to see me. I think he knows we are doing everything we can to help him get better!" The rescue soon learned Jasper has a broken back; one of his lower vertebrae is fractured. "The veterinarians wonder if it happened from some sort of downward stress like someone stomped on him, or perhaps something could have fallen on him," Caroline D., with the rescue, tells Waggle. "He's on a lot of medication and still in a lot of pain." Jasper has an entire medical team tending to him. The rescue has spent thousands of dollars on his care, including X-rays, specialists, and medications. He has to remain at the veterinarian's office and on strict rest while they see if his vertebrae will heal on its own. Unfortunately, surgery won't help Jasper, but he is making friends during his long stay at the animal hospital. "Everyone that has come in contact with him has been greeted with a willingness to be helped and sweetness from this injured boy," Chiara adds. "I can't wait to see him get the help needs and make a full recovery." Underdog Rescue is a nonprofit organization that depends on donations to help Jasper and the more than 1400 dogs the group has saved from the Four Corners reservations of the American Southwest. They help provide medical services, spay and neuter resources, and adoption services while supporting Native Americans in the care of their animals. "We know that in situations like this if we don't help the dog, they will likely be left to die," Chiara says. "We do our best to help as many animals from the reservation as we possibly can at Underdog. Knowing Jasper's vet bill will greatly exceed $2,000, any contribution helps."
Bebe, Gigi, and Cici
Bebe, Gigi, and Cici are Domestic Shorthair kittens in Raleigh, NC, who needs $2,000 for eye surgery.
Raleigh, NC • Carolina Cat Rescue
Carolina Cat Rescue has a big goal, and they're optimistic you can help! All they want is for the three nearly blind kittens they saved: Bebe, Cici, and Gigi, to see the families that will eventually adopt them. The sibling trio ended up in a shelter at risk of being euthanized because the facility was full. Karie K. from the rescue tells Waggle the moment the group saw the sweet kittens, they knew they needed help, "It was heartbreaking. They were tiny, about four weeks old. They could not see and were struggling to find the food in the shelter. Older kittens were pushing them away." The rescue realized saving Bebe, Cici and Gigi would result in significant medical bills. "It was clear the kittens were suffering in the shelter, and we knew upfront the cost to save them would stretch our small budget," Karie says. "They had active eye infections, major swelling, and obvious corneal scarring that was affecting their ability to see. But once you looked past their obvious impairment, what we could see was loving kittens who needed a chance. I said, 'kittens are so resilient, we have to give them a try." The kittens are now in a foster home, and the eye medication they are receiving has helped decrease the inflammation and fight off the infection caused by the herpes virus. Karie is hopeful surgery performed by the veterinary medical team at Animal Eye Care Associates will help remove much of the scarring and give them all a second chance to see. "We are committed to helping them regain as much sight as possible. The hope is one day they will be able to see the love of their new family," Karie says.
Jake
Jake is a ten-year-old Labrador in Forth Worth, TX, who needs $2,000 for hospitalization for respiratory infections and tumor removal.
Lewisville, IN • Lucky Lab Rescue & Adoption
Just when Jake should have been enjoying his golden years living in a loving home, his life took some heart-wrenching turns. First, his owner died, and Jake got dumped at a municipal shelter that is notorious for having outbreaks of hideous respiratory diseases. Then as Jake sat in a kennel in the shelter hoping someone would adopt him, he caught not one, not two, but THREE awful illnesses! Lucky Lab Rescue and Adoption got an urgent message about Jake. He was so ill the shelter's workers weren't sure he was going to make it. Jake had a fever, a horrendous cough, and he stopped eating and drinking -- he was taking a turn for the worse. Lucky Lab bolted to his rescue. A wonderful volunteer picked up Jake from the shelter and brought him to VCA Westcreek Animal Hospital. He was so ill that discharge was streaming out of his nose. Jake's veterinarian ran a respiratory panel which revealed he had a trifecta of highly contagious ailments: canine herpes, mycoplasma, and kennel cough. "I was super surprised at those test results having no idea that all of those things could be happening at once. Taken alone, each one is a challenging diagnosis, but all together at one time, I was truly concerned for his prognosis," Katherine G., the rescue's Dallas and Forth Worth manager tells Waggle. Because Jake was so sick and contagious, he stayed hospitalized on fluids, antibiotics and was quarantined at the animal hospital for weeks so he did not spread germs to other dogs. Eventually, Jake started to get better, and everyone at the animal hospital cheered for his recovery. Jake also had a large tumor on his foot that was surgically removed and sent to pathology. Once he was no longer contagious, his foster mom, Shelia G., picked him up. "The veterinarian's employees loved Jake," she tells Waggle. "He was a bit cautious when he arrived at my house. I would reach out to pet him, and he would hop backward like he didn't want to be caught, but now he's learned pets and belly rubs are coming, and he's all for it." Now everyone is saying prayers the tumor is not cancerous so Jake can be posted for adoption, and this big boy can finally have a second chance at the life he deserves. Lucky Lab Rescue and Adoption is a nonprofit organization that doesn't turn away dogs that need medical care. Jake's illnesses and surgery ran up quite a hefty bill; they are hoping generous donors will help them raise the money to pay it off so they can save more dogs.
Lilac
Lilac is a two-year-old Airedale Terrier in Spencerport, NY, who needs $1,600 for cancer surgery.
Spencerport, NY
Maureen H. says her dog, Lilac, is a lifeline. "She has poured so much love into our home in such a short time. She has brought healing to my life because I manage having complex PTSD, chronic pain syndrome, and several overlapping illnesses," Maureen tells Waggle. Lilac is training to become Maureen's therapy dog, but recently Maureen found a lump on Lilac. "I had a gut feeling to take her right into the vet," Maureen says. "The vet did cytology on it just in case. Lilac was diagnosed with two mast cell (cancerous) tumors. She is only TWO years old!" Maureen is floored, and terribly upset cancer is hitting Lilac, especially at such a young age. Maureen is on a limited budget and is disabled. Another one of her dogs became very ill last month and wiped out her savings. She hopes pet lovers will pay it forward--- and donate toward Lilac's surgery to have the tumors removed, hopefully saving her life. The medical team at Pumpkin Hill Veterinary Clinic is ready to perform the surgery. Often with mast cell tumors, if the veterinarian can remove them with clean margins, a dog needs no further treatment and can live a normal life. She is hoping that is the case with Lilac!
Zoey
Zoey is a 5-year-old German Shepherd in Sheridan, AR, who needs $2,000 for surgery plates in legs.
Sheridan, AR
My Zoey girl was a gifted to me by a friend it was love at first sight I have been though a lot with her as a puppy she was diagnosed with parvovirus and I sleep in the floor with her for a week and she made it she lived from thin on we were best buddy’s we spent every day together playing fetch learning tricks she is truly my best friend I love her so much I do t know what to do with out her Zoey sleeps with me of course she loves to snuggle she’s super smart loves to go to lake with our family and she loves to swim she also loves to play with her sister Brezzy they like to play chase she is just the perfect pet I can’t really describe how she makes my hole family feel everyone loves her we call her Zoe, zozo she is absolutely family she is so sweet and playful My husband is on disability and Zoeys surgery is almost $4000 it would mean so much if we could get help for Zoeys surgery we can’t afford I don’t want to lose my dog she’s my best friend I would be so thankful!! And grateful for the help please!! I’m begging for help Zoey was missing for 19 days she went missing on may 21,2021 my family was just sick because we couldn’t find her and thin a she was found by a man and I was so excited to get her back thin I noticed she had 2 broken legs my heat hit the floor with sadness we my daughter raised $300 to get her to the and found out she needs surgery that we can’t afford she needs plates to fix her legs Zoeys favorite friends or lily and Bree they play hard together running around and chasing each other she also loves my daughter Jocelyn she loves for her to pet her love on her she also loves my husband James they are best friends Zoey also loves belly rubs she’s just a sweet girl we love her so much I don’t know what I would do with out her she is a very kind girl she is my best friend
Josie
Josie is a 10-year-old Pit Bull in Simi Valley, CA, who needs $2,000 for Cancer Treatment.
Simi Valley, CA • Southern California Pit Bull Rescue
Josie was originally in a shelter in San Bernardino. This particular shelter is known to be a high kill shelter, especially when it comes to Pit Bulls. An independent rescuer got Josie adopted into what seemed like a loving home... Fast forward 5 years, and Josie wasn't feeling so hot. Her family took her to the local veterinarian and it was determined that she had a 6 inch cancerous tumor. Her family gave up on Josie and sent her back to the independent rescuer, claiming Josie's condition was just too much money for them. The independent rescuer deemed that Josie would live out her days with her... until Mark R., founder of So Cal Pit Bull Rescue got wind of the situation. Josie's cancer treatment costs over $500 per month, and will be ongoing for the rest of her days. So Cal Pit Bull Rescue is asking for donations to help with Josie's monthly veterinary invoices. Josie now receives a treatment called Palladia, an expensive medication used to treat mass cell tumors in dogs. Each pill costs $25, and has to be given 3 times a week. Josie also receives monthly bloodwork. Josie's tumor is slowly shrinking, but she is not a candidate for surgery due to the mass on her liver and the placement of the tumor in her throat. Palladia is Josie's only option. Mark rushed Josie to an oncologist for a 2nd opinion. It was there that they found a mass on Josie's liver, which made her ineligible for chemotherapy... the mass on the liver would consume all the chemo and the tumor in her throat would never decrease in size. So Cal Pit Bull Rescue did not give up.
Dot
Dot is a 1-year-old Boxer in Norwalk, CT, who needs $2,000 for an MRI.
Norwalk, CT • Pet Animal Welfare Society
This beauty is Dot, a 6-month-old boxer mix who came from animal control and who has lots of love to give. Coming from animal control means that she was originally a stray who had to fend for herself until a local animal control picked her up and contacted PAWS. Dot is calm, social, and eager to get your attention and affection. Dot can be very playful and is eager to please. She just wants to be part of a family. Her tail is constantly wagging. She might be one of the sweetest dogs we’ve ever met. She is definitely the most popular dog at the dog park! While active, Dot suffers from episodes of her rear legs collapsing. Sometimes it takes up to 20 minutes for her to regain balance and continue walking. Dot has the most amazing character that never gives up. She loves other pups and wouldn’t mind sharing a home with a canine companion.She is the sweetest puppy who deserves a chance at life with a doting family. She touches everyone she meets and is an inspiration to us all! Dot went for an expensive MRI, which came back as unremarkable, meaning that further diagnosis is needed. As we haven’t determined the cause, we are still hopeful that it’s something that is responsive to medical intervention. Dot might have to see a specialist. Sometimes she drags herself on the floor to continue to play and wag her tail. Dot has been undergoing medical diagnostic tests at PAWS for regular episodes of ataxia in her rear legs. Ataxia is a lack of coordination, affecting her front and hind legs to collapse from time to time. This may be caused from damage to the cerebellum or to the nervous system.
Zoe
Zoe is a 8-year-old Yorkshire Terrier in Dallas, TX, who needs $2,000 for surgery.
Dallas, TX • Pooch Savers Rescue
One of our local shelters found Zoe wandering the streets…no tags and not chipped. Animal control noticed she was in VERY bad shape, was filthy, had extremely overgrown nails and was walking strangely. They had x-rays taken and discovered both front paws were disconnected at the wrist! Also, Zoe was suffering from severe periodontal disease. She was a hot mess! This poor dog sat in that condition for 10 days. Naturally, the owner never came forward, and thank goodness they didn’t because the shelter was prepared to cite them for animal cruelty! On day 10, we snatched her up and immediately took her to our vet, who confirmed the front paws were not connected and deemed her “an orthopedic nightmare!” She was also diagnosed with mammary cancer. Our plan will involve two separate surgeries. One to remove both mammary chains, extract the “nodule” in her trachea area and biopsy it, spay her and address her periodontal disease. The second surgery, depending on the pathology of the nodule, will be the Laryngeal tieback. During the examination, the specialist determined there was some type of swelling or lump in her larynx area and deemed that to be most likely the source of the labored breathing. He recommended a biopsy be done and he also suggested a surgery called a Laryngeal tieback. Zoe was not spayed. We ran blood work, which came back normal, so we started her on pain meds. Our orthopedist said Zoe’s paw issue was really a bone issue and it was due to a degenerative disease common in Yorkies and there was most likely nothing that could be done to fix it. He was, however, quite concerned about Zoe’s breathing and wanted to get her in for some exploratory surgery ASAP.