VCA California Veterinary Specialists
Carlsbad, California
Campaigns at this clinic
Nala
Nala is a 12 year old Mix-Breed in Jamul, CA, who needs $11,000 for Surgery - Liver Tumor Removal.
Jamul, CA
Nala was given to me by someone who said she couldn't keep her. We accepted her as the heavenly gift she is. Nala kept a tennis ball in her mouth constantly except for eating and drinking, for about 8 years. We have 3 other dogs in the household, and she loves them all and they love her. She has the name "Nala" because she looks like a lion cub. Nala has a tumor on her liver and needs a liver lobectomy. The prognosis is very good, and it is expected that she will go on with the rest of her life. This tumor has a very low chance of ever re-occurring. Nala felt abandoned by her previous owner and had severe emotional problems for some time after coming to us. My husband, now deceased, took her into his heart as his own child. The two of them were glued together. When he died, I have tried to be both Mommy and Daddy to her. When my husband died, we lost his income. I'm working, but this vet expense was not expected or planned for and is much more than expected. This is a very well-respected hospital and surgeon, and it is not expected to re-occur. Her life is very much worth saving.
Camo
Camo is a 14 year old American Shorthair in San Bernardino, , who needs $10,502 for Radiation and Cancer Treatment/Diagnosis.
San Bernardino
Camo and his twin sister Kitana were adopted into our family in 2013. We have recently moved into our safest long-term home. Camo and his siblings have the most space we've had. He is like a little rocket up and down the stairs. Having two floors now, he sleeps downstairs to "guard" us. He's our own little gargoyle who forgets to put his tongue away. Camo requires emergency care. What began as his normal seasonal allergies turned into an URI. While treating the infection, he was unable to swallow. Today, they discovered blood in the back of his throat with airway constriction. W X-rays, sedation, a hospital stay, blood tests, and treatment, we cannot determine what the mass in the back of his throat may be. Camo is the most endearing and gentle little "hooligan." He has the best zoomy time and is nicknamed "Sir Flops-a-lot" for the way he flops over and rolls around asking for tummy rubs. He's the twin of his sister Kitana and the younger brother of Ninja. There is nothing cuter than his morning snuggle time during coffee, or how he "canine crunchies" while we play games. My husband was laid off, and while we've done everything we could to maintain a healthy financial state, we have resorted to pet sitting and plasma donation over the past year. To have Camo healthy would mean that our family can stay whole, or we will have to say goodbye.
Miss Molly
Miss Molly is a 9 year old Mix-Breed in Wildomar, CA, who needs $3,000 for Radiation.
Wildomar, CA
I adopted Molly from the San Diego Humane Society in Oceanside, CA in May 2017. She became my Emotional Support Animal as I was dealing with depression and anxiety in going in public places. She has lived with me for 9 years in 3 different homes. She has always lived with another dog and cats. Molly has Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs). Surgery is not an option and it is not curable. She has one large mass at the base of her heart that causes her to struggle with breathing & causes a cough. Her vet confirmed she has a total of 3 masses in her chest cavity. We will be doing 5 rounds of radiation to help shrink the tumors and then Palladia after. VCA California Veterinary Specialists-Carlsbad I label Molly as a people dog. She loves when people come over and she has a couple favorite family/friends! She has always been a couch potato kind of dog and has always been the sweetest but also pretty stubborn too! I always call her the moody teenager when I tell her to come in and she will be walking and plops her little butt down "nah, I think not!". She LOVES treats and always sits for one! This is an unexpected medical expense. I lost my job in September 2025 and have only recently started working 01.12.2026, thus money I had saved up was used to pay for essentials during that time of not working.
Pepper Cutie Pie Peterson
Pepper Cutie Pie Peterson is a 6 Year Old Mix-Breed in Arroyo Grande, CA, Who Needs $2,000 for Hospitalization and Radiation Oncology.
Arroyo Grande, CA
Pepper was at the Santa Ynez shelter back in July of 2020 and they had posted some pictures online that I thought made Pepper look crazy. I almost didn't go with the family to meet Pepper but I thought better of it. Once we got down to the shelter and they brought her out, Pepper immediately took to the kids which won me over. She has been with us ever since!!! We noticed a few months ago that Pepper's left ear wasn't moving like it use to as well as her left eye wasn't closing. So we went to the vet and she was diagnosed with facial nerve paralysis. We did an MRI and she has a tumor on her pituitary gland. She needs radiation to stop the growth and save her life. The VCA California Veterinary Specialists - Carlsbad will do the treatment. Pepper is the whole family's doggie. She has a special bond with myself, my wife and our 3 girls!!! She loves to give each person special attention that makes them feel like they are her human. One of the things that she does is leap into my arms while I am standing so I can hold her and she can give me kisses. Her little sister Salt is her biggest fan and tries to play with her all the time. Just like a lot of people, we live paycheck to paycheck and due to our jobs, teachers, we don't have the opportunity to earn extra money. Our oldest is in college so that is a huge expense and we paid over $5,000.00 to get the MRI done on Pepper to discover the tumor
Ares
Ares is a 9 year old Staffordshire Bull Terrier in Las Vegas, NV, who needs $2,000 for Radiation Therapy.
Las Vegas, NV
I rescued Ares when he was about 2 years old from the animal foundation here in Vegas. But saying I rescued him is wrong, he SAVED ME. I got him about 6 months after trying to commit suicide and he's given me a reason to live everyday since. We live in a large house and he has 2 other siblings that came along after. We are a small but happy family and we rely on eachother. Ares was misdiagnosed with a hygroma which has since been removed but due to the location they weren't able to remove the entire tumor. Since, he has been diagnosed with a low grade soft tissue sarcoma which he has to have 17 consecutive treatments of radiation in Carlsbad, CA, because removal of the limb would reduce his quality of life since he is already an amputee and would need a wheelchair. Ares is the foundation of my family and he is MY ROCK. Ares loves everyone he interacts with but he loves his momma and his momma is gonna go to the grave right with him when he goes. Hes touched my heart in a way that nothing else will ever be able to, he not only taught me how to love but taught me what it felt like to be loved, unconditionally. His treatment and stay total is $16,300 which is an unexpected cost but one that I simply don't have the funds for as a single income home. Even after taking from my 401k I am still extremely short of the funds needed for his treatment and I need all the help I can get.
L'il Max
L'il Max is a 14 year old Chihuahua in VISTA, CA, who needs $2,000 for Diagnosis and Treatment.
VISTA, CA
The L'il Max was an unexpected gift. As an IHSS caretaker I lived with and took care of a handicapped woman for 2 & 1/2 years Max was her dog. Being handicapped did not allow her to exercise Max, so I took him out each day to play. She passed away in August. I then accepted to care for Max permanently. Max's owner told me she rescued him from a situation of abuse. He was kicked in the jaw & windpipe, leaving him with a respiratory issue. When I met him he would have a hoarse cough when he became excited. He was frisky and full f energy, otherwise. and a really happy boy. Max was traumatized by the death of his owner. She fell down in front of him, and he watched as 4 EMR workers came and took her away. She never came home again...He lost his mom, his home, community and pals, all at the same time. When I took his bed out to place in the car, he trembled uncontrollably. I told him I would never leave him, and have been with him ever since. I am a dedicated dog owner. A dog is for life. I accepted to take Max after a conversation with the family in which I was told that - "they would care all of Max's expenses for life". With the death of his mom, I lost my job, income and home simultaneously.
Maggie
Maggie is a 6-month-old French Bulldog in Oceanside, CA, who needs $2,000 for Radiation Therapy.
Oceanside, CA
Hello, we acquired our sweet Maggie girl, through a family that posted she needed a home. We reached out and met up to see her and she stole our hearts immediately. She is a full bred French Bulldog, with Gray Fawn coloring! She is 6 months old, and my two kids love her! We live in a single family home with My husband, myself, our two kids and her brother, Moose (other Frenchie). Maggie is a fun, rambunctious, loving and very "outspoken" puppy! She doesn't like being told No and if she is told No she will talk back! lol The 2 kiddos love playing with her inside and outside. She is very active with the kids! As for my husband, well that is her person. No one else exists when he gets home from work. She snuggles him and demands his attention. Our favorite behavior/personality trait that Maggie has is when she does not get her way, she will look at you, grunt a few times and then bark or "talk" to you. She is persistent and then if the kids continue telling her "No!" it turns into then running around and her chasing them. The game is loved in the house! We have had Maggie since she was 3 months old, shortly we got her I started seeing blood on her toys. I opened her mouth and noticed a growth on her upper right jaw/teeth. I made an appointment immediately. She was diagnosed with Papillary Cell Carcinoma. Its a fast growing cancer and she doesn't have long untreated. Radiation is required over surgery due to location and type of cancer. We are struggling to make ends me sometimes, live pay check to pay check, like most working class families. The cost of her Radiation we w, re told could range between, $12,000-$15,000 over a month worth of doses. We have already paid $4000 on top of that for testing.
Roxii
Roxii is a 1-year-old Siberian Husky in Hemet, CA, who needs $1,500 for Bone Plate Surgery.
Hemet, CA
Roxii was a gift to our family from a friend who had way to many dogs and was gonna be fined and Roxii would have to go to a overcrowded shelter. I’m a single mom if 3. We only had Roxii for 4 months. She is the only fur baby. I took Roxii from a very popular song by the Police named Roxanne. He name is Roxanne but we call he Roxii for short. Roxii loves to play with her favorite Pizza chew toy and playing fetch with her brothers. She enjoys riding in the car feeling the breeze with her Mom picking up her human siblings from school. She loves going on walks and eating treats. Roxii is a smart and friendly dog who loves to be rubbed on her belly. Roxii is special to you our family she came in at a time where my kids and I had just fled an abusive ex husband and was having a fresh start. She loved attention so she fit in well with my family who are very affectionate. She loves to watch my daughter dance running in a circle chasing her tail to the music is he signature move. Roxii was hit by a car on December 27, 2022. Roxii was admitted at VCA Veterinary Specialist. Roxii was treated at their Emergency Room and was giving pain medication and X-rays which shows she now has a broken leg that can not just heal on its own it requires bone plate surgery or amputation. I’m currently a single mom of 3 in the process of a divorce. My car broke down on Dec 23, 2022. I just received my final unemployment payment which was used for Xmas gifts and car repair fees. I also have Rent due on the 1st and received no child support. We have to pay rent
Brody
Brody is a 9-year-old Pug in Oceanside , CA, who needs $2,000 for SRT Radiation Treatment.
Oceanside, CA
Brody came into my life 9 yrs ago. He was a gift from my mom during a time that I was emotionally dealing with the loss of my father. Shortly after getting him he got parvovirus. We treated him at home with some help from vet and he survived! He has 2 siblings and a son at home. They are all very close To one another. Brody enjoys being around people and can even “sing” he is truly the best! Brody sleeps every night with me in bed. I’ve grown to love his loud snoring and he steals the blankets.He lights up whenever family comes around especially his grandma. He enjoys the dog park,hikes, and the beach and going to grandmasHe loves toys! And duck jerky treats. His bff is daphne his sister they are inseparable. And Norman his son loves him as well. They are a very close little family. Brody is very close the daphne(sister)and Norman (son). He is truly the sweetest dog ever. He loves everyone he meets.he has this howl that we call singing when he hears music that has made him popular with friends. He has become a mommas boy with me and we have this indescribable bond. I don’t know what I would do without him. He has been there for me during the worst/best times of my life. Brody started Having seizures he Had about 50 of them in a week. and got diagnosed with a brain tumor. We immediately started him on anti seizure medication: Keppra, Phenobarbital and a steroid called prednisone. His neurologist recommended a oncologist at VCA veterinary specialist Dr. Prouix who he saw today and wants to start radiation on Monday with hopes of giving him a few more years of life This has been a very emotional and financial experience for me and my family. I would love to be able to give him the help he needs to live the best life possible. Having him healthy and happy again would mean the world. So far I have exhausted most of my savings ($7000)
Ted
Ted is a 8-year-old Chihuahua Mix in San Diego, CA, who needs $2,000 for Sepsis with possible bowel obstruction.
San Diego, CA
Ted joined our family 5 years ago when we saved him from an Orange County rescue.. They called him Forrest, but he didn’t respond to that name. He looked like a Ted and tilted his head so cute when I asked him if he was a Ted. He just looked so scared and sad until I picked him up and set him on my lap. He didn’t try to jump away, he just sat there and looked up at me with the sweetest eyes. Ted sleeps in our bed, usually on his back with his feet in the air, close to us. He loves to go for daily walks, the dog park, and chase “Lizzie’s” in our backyard. He communicates by tilting his head, tapping us lightly with his paw, or leading us somewhere. His eyes do a lot of talking as well. He likes to play a protective game where he “protects mama” and won’t let anyone else near. Ted’s favorite place is the dog park where he sees the same little dog friends everyday. He looks forward to it and looks depressed on days that he can’t go. Ted is usually a quiet little dog, except when he sees a big dog on the other side of the cyclone fence at the dog park. He loves chasing and barking at the bigger dogs up and down the fence line with his group of lil dogs. Ted unknowingly had an ascended testicle when we got him. It was discovered accidentally during a routine dental visit when his doctor felt a mass in his tummy area. Further testing showed that the tumor was Seminoma testicular cancer. Ted had surgery and then 6 chemotherapy treatments ending in Dec 2021, but then this most recent hospital visit was necessary after he in ingested a ham bone. Ted’s cancer surgery and treatments were something I never expected. It was emotional for me to see Ted go through all of that, beat cancer, only to end up back in the hospital this past week from apparently eating a ham bone. He’s already gone through more than a dog should
Trigger
Trigger is a 12-year-old Visla/Lab in Trabuco Canyon, CA, who needs $1,900 for Radiation Therapy for Osteosarcoma.
trabuco canyon, CA
My family and I rescued Trigger as a puppy from our local animal shelter. He had been abused and abandoned, was very thin, scared and skittish. We saw him cowering in the back of his crate at the shelter. My daughter saw him, he immediately walked over, laid down in front of her. The shelter employee said he's never done that with anyone. She immediately loved him, he was meant to be hers. In our family we treat our pets like part of the family. My daughter immediately fell in love with Trigger as soon as we saw him at the shelter. He is "her" dog. He sleeps with her, she cares for him and love him like no other. We all love Trigger. He is the best most loved dog ever! He is a one of a kind and can never be replaced. All that meet him love him! He is the absolute sweetest! Trigger eventually became my daughters emotional support dog. My daughter struggles with some emotional issues at times and having Trigger by her side helps her like no medication can. I do worry what she will do without him. It honestly scares me. She has had him most of her life. She relies on him for everything. He is her best friend that is always there for her. Trigger has always been healthy. A few weeks back we noticed he was breathing strange. He was gasping for air and his nose started bleeding. We took him to the vet right away. After 2 nights at the ER of being hooked up to an IV, placed in the oxygen tanks x rays, CT scans and a biopsy. He was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a cancerous tumor in his nasal cavity. Treatment-5 rounds of radiation. We had a small wood working company. Covid hit, it went under. We are attempting to get going again, but it's been a slow process. We had to borrow $9000 from family for Trigger's expenses thus far. We must find a way to do radiation for our boy. My daughter is devastated!
Daisy Belle
Daisy Belle is a 12-year-old Golden Retriever in Murrieta, CA, who needs $2,000 for Kidney Cancer Recovery.
MURRIETA, CA
April 13th, 2009, Daisy Belle Muddypaws was born! We welcomed her into a family of 6. At that time, her human siblings were tiny— only about 3, 6, 8, and 11 years old. Now, we're all grown up, aged 15, 18, 20, and 23. Daisy has been in our lives for as long as we can remember, and we can't begin to imagine a life without her. Daisy is now 12 years old, but she is still so spunky and full of life! Daisy isn't just a dog. She is just as much part of the household as anyone else. She's always hanging out, whether that be snoozing upside down in the hallway or laying on her dog bed in the living room. She likes to snuggle and her favorite place to be pet is her fluffy butt! She enjoys car rides with us and her favorite place is the beach. We can't wait to take her when she's fully recovered. She needs chemo, but we need to pay the surgery bill first. 3 of us are in college, and I even spent thousands of my college savings to help. We had to borrow money and use up all the credit we could. We want to spoil her, but we can't afford to do much. Anything helps! Daisy was sick for months with ear & eye infection and pancreatitis. One night, we knew something was wrong. Pale gums, swollen abdomen, couldn't stand. Turns out, Daisy had renal hemangiosarcoma, and her abdominal tumor had ruptured and was internally bleeding. Luckily, surgery was possible and the tumor was removed, but so was her right kidney. She was treated at an emergency vet in Carlsbad! Daisy is such a silly girl and definitely has her quirks. She really likes bananas and will follow you around the house until you give her a slice. She likes to attack the sprinklers in the backyard. Her favorite toy is a FurReal Friends dog named Diamond, which she plays with it like no other toy since she was a puppy. She tears it apart every year, so we always buy her a new one for Christmas.
Roscoe
Roscoe is a 8-year-old American Bulldog in Irvine , CA, who needs $1,800 for Oncology treatment.
Irvine, CA
I adopted Roscoe my first year of law school when I was going through a hard time, and little did I know I was meeting my best friend. Roscoe came from a bad situation, but since I adopted him he is my spoiled, happy boy. Roscoe never leaves my side, I live by myself, but he is my comfort and always brings a smile to my face. Roscoe is truly the definition of big baby. He loves to cuddle and be right next to you. He loves everyone he meets, and has the sweetest disposition. He is particularly interested in treats, puppachinos and belly rubs, and everyone who meets him loves him, too. He loves to sit with me while I work, and I jokingly call him “my shadow” because he is always next to me. I live alone on a fixed income and do not have a lot of money. I do everything I can for Roscoe but cannot afford this treatment. Roscoe is all I have, and I am asking from the bottom of my heart for people to understand and help me save him. On April 21, my sweet Roscoe physically collapsed at home. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with a tumor wrapped around his heart. He is being seen my an oncologist in Carlsbad, California. He had one round of radiation back in June but is going to need more treatment this fall. Any donation to help me save my best friend means the world. Roscoe loves to chew his giant bully sticks. He loves car rides and feeling the fresh air, and he loves to play and roll around in the grass. He has a fun time chewing all of his squeaky toys, and will flip them around for hours on end. He loves to be silly and have fun on his walks, and is known to chase squirrels. Roscoe loves life and loves to play.
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.
Hans
Hans is a 1-year-old Dachshund/Corgi in San Diego, CA, who needs $2,000 for Bilateral ulnar osteotomy and bilateral radial osteotomy.
San Diego, CA
Hans is our precious rescue dog from Tijuana, Mexico. We adopted him from a lovely rescue center in April of 2020 and he has been an integral part of our family dynamic ever since. Hans lives with my husband and I in Pacific Beach, San Diego. Here he enjoys playing with his toys, walking on the beach and socializing with other puppy friends in the area. He is an extremely calm pup. Hans is very calm and loving, always trying to cuddle and show love to those he meets. He love to be pet and will gladly come to give company to all. Hans enjoys roaming our condo and local area, walking, running and swimming when it is not too cold. Finally, he constantly shows us everyday just how much he loves us in his behavior, kisses, and overall energy. Covid-19 has affected us all. For my husband and I we have been furloughed and left with barely enough finances to keep afloat. We would always do what we can to help Hans as he is our son. However, at this time we are seeking assistance to give him the best life possible. Hans has two bowed front legs and a limp that is the result of an ulnar and radial surgery. We have been informed that this was caused by a major trauma in his previous care. Having this surgery is vital to avoid him walking on his wrist and preventing juvenile arthritis that could occur very quickly if not seen to. Hans dreams of being a ninja. However, with large paws, he is trying his best to tread lightly to be undetected. He will always try to surprise you by creeping around on his toes, hoping to not be seen. Otherwise, when he is not living the ninja dream, Hans enjoys his Yaks cheese chews on the balcony, taking in the San Diego air.