Max rescued me in 2005 and we were together in this life for a little more than 13 of his 14 precious years. Every day with him was nothing short of a gift. I miss him so much. He was so beautiful, loving, smart and inquisitive….just the most amazing dog I have ever known. He was always there for me with kisses and cuddles, even through some of the toughest times of my life. “Once by my side, forever in my heart” could not be a more accurate statement. I hope all of the pets you help in your organization get the opportunity to find their forever homes and get to experience the love they deserve.–Melissa Lee
In memory of our Gracie girl (2007-2019). Thanks to Petfinder, we found two sisters (whom we named Lulu and Gracie) who needed a loving home over 12 years ago. Gracie (on the right) was the sweetest girl with a gentle and loving spirit. Her heart was big and so was her appetite — she was a voracious eater. And she always wanted and usually got a taste of whatever we were eating. She loved her people dearly and always wanted to be close and right smack in the middle of things. She also loved our walks in the park and our trips to the beach. We are heartbroken and Lulu is lost without her sidekick, but we are so grateful for her long, happy, and very spoiled life. Forever in our hearts, sweet girl — you were loved deeply and will be missed dearly. We promise to take good care of Lulu until you meet again.–JoAnn Gomes
Please give your furry friends a big hug tonight. We lost our Charlie on Sept. 23, 2019, in an attack occurring in our yard. We didn’t hear anything. We have no idea what it was. If you’re like us, and see the stories about animal attacks or even just coyote/owl/bobcat/mountain lion sightings, but don’t think this could happen to you, please remember our Charlie. Let this be yet another reminder that we have a lot of wildlife that will take advantage of those of us that get too comfortable and don’t take precautions.
In our 8 short years together, you watched me navigate college, marry the man of my dreams, and become a mother to two beautiful children. You have been my constant companion through it all, never complaining and always ready for more cuddles. It is so hard for me to accept life without you by my side.
RIP Charlie. You were so special to us and we will miss you dearly.–Audrey Miller
In memory of brave Bauer, the Alaskan Corgi who lived a wonderful 16 1/2 years that included daily walks in subzero weather, salmon fishing, and a myriad of other activities with his adoring family.–Carol Wetmore
Shelter dog Cookie with one of her field-trip fosters
We like programs that help homeless pets by breaking down old ways of thinking — like the idea that shelter dogs need to stay in shelters! That’s why we’re supporting field-trip programs, which get dogs out of shelters for a few hours or even days.
These programs have countless benefits:
They relieve stress for the dogs, and tire them out so they’re better behaved when they get back to their kennels.
They let volunteers collect valuable information about (and take adorable photos and videos of) the dogs in real-world settings.
They get the dogs out into their communities, and their adorable faces in front of potential adopters.
They attract new volunteers and adopters by offering a low-stakes way to hang out with the dogs.
ACC field-trip favorite Bundles
When Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) debuted its field-trip program, the line to volunteer stretched down the block! “The BoroughBreak is a great way to not only give the animals much-needed time out of the shelter, but to gain deeper insight into their behavior from our fosters and volunteers,” says the shelter’s Jennifer DiClemente, “who become adoption ambassadors for great dogs like Bundles.”
ACC’s grant from the Petfinder Foundation will fund the purchase of no-pull harnesses so that volunteers can feel confident handling dogs who need to practice leash manners or have energy to burn — the same dogs who benefit most from getting out of the shelter.
DAWG dog Rocket on his field trip
Denison Animal Welfare Group (DAWG) received a Petfinder Foundation grant to purchase supplies such as collars, leashes, and ID tags for its field-trip dogs. The program has been a game-changer for the Texas shelter: “Dogs are receiving more visitors and increased visibility in our community,” says President Stephanie Phillips.
“Hold times are shorter, adoptions are occurring quicker,” and other organizations are more likely to pull dogs thanks to an abundance of information about them, she adds, including “videos, report cards, likes and dislikes, and things the volunteers might not have observed in a shelter setting.”
Ping’s field-trip fosters adopted him!
“The program does so much for our dogs,” says Mirah Horowitz, Executive Director of Hawaii’s Kauai Humane Society, which also received a Field Trip Grant. “It gives them a much-needed break from the stress and boredom of living in the shelter. It improves their socialization by getting them out in new environments and with new people. And, it some lucky dogs’ cases, it results in a forever home!”
One such lucky dog was Ping. “His family was living on Kauai for a temporary work assignment and took him out on multiple field trips. As they were getting ready to return to the mainland, the adopter’s children decided to surprise their mom on Mother’s Day with the gift of unconditional love. The family adopted Ping, and now he is living his best life on the East Coast!”
The Animal Foundation’s Papz
Since launching its program in July, The Animal Foundation in Las Vegas has sent more than 150 dogs on field trips to restaurants, parks, and even family holiday gatherings. “These temporary breaks have helped many of our dogs better cope with living in the shelter as they await their forever homes,” says Development Manager Amy Wiles.
The shelter will use its Petfinder Foundation grant to purchase booties for field-trip dogs. “They will protect the dogs’ paws as they venture out into our uniquely hot Las Vegas climate with its scorching surfaces,” Wiles says.
With your help, we can get more dogs out of shelters, where they can de-stress, show off their true personalities and meet potential forever families.
This summer, many parts of the country have experienced dangerously high temperatures.
That’s why the Petfinder Foundation has Summer Cooling Grants available as part of our longstanding Disaster Fund.
Our grant helped Adele stay cool.
Our Summer Cooling Grant helped the dogs at Arizona’s Pima Animal Care Center, which used the funds to install an overhead misting system in two outdoor yards. In Tucson, where temperatures can top 110 degrees, the yards had often been unusable for both the dogs and potential adopters.
Now, thanks to the misting system, “nobody’s getting overheated,” Adoption Coordinator Ellie Beaubien said. “We really needed those. It was a great investment.” We also provided the shelter with kiddie pools, which were enjoyed by dogs like Bear (top photo) and Adele (above).
Skylar enjoyed shade, turf and mist.
The Humane Society of Southern Arizona used our Summer Cooling Grant to install a misting system, a shade sail and turf in its yard, which had previously been hard dirt.
Thanks to those upgrades, “It goes from scorching hot to tropical cool within seconds of flipping a switch,” Shelter PR Coordinator Sara Gromley said. “Staff members enjoy taking breaks by bringing dogs out in the yard and it’s actually pleasant to be outdoors. Petfinder Foundation, we love you!”
Nala the donkey chills out.
Our Summer Cooling Grants don’t help only dogs. Lusco Farms Rescue in Iowa used its grant to purchase two large fans and build a multipurpose pasture shelter for the donkeys, mules and miniature horses in its care.
“The grant not only allowed us to make a cooling station, but we designed it to be used as a shelter in the winter as well,” said Treasurer Scott Shehan. “So the donkeys will now be nice and dry even when it rains or snows.”
We don’t expect to see the end of extreme temperatures any time soon, so these severe-weather grants are now a permanent part of our Disaster program. Your donation to our Disaster Fund will help us save lives.
Your donation to the Petfinder Foundation’s Emergency Medical Fund has helped countless sick and injured pets — including these four adorable kitties!
Chiarra
The sweet 5-month-old kitten was found alone in a Pennsylvania parking lot, one eye ruptured due to infection and the other in bad shape. Taken in by Cherished Cats Rescue Alliance in Lewisburg, PA, Chiarra received good nutrition and care and, with help from our grant, surgery to remove the ruptured eye and repair the remaining one. After recovering, she was quickly adopted by a local family. Read Chiarra’s full story here.
Foster was abandoned in a box with a broken pelvis.
Foster
Foster was abandoned in a box in a vacant lot. He was cold, thirsty, hungry, and terribly injured. Paws of Hope in Stevensville, MI, rescued him and took him to the vet, where x-rays revealed that he had a broken pelvis and dislocated femur, most likely from being hit by a car. With help from our grant, Foster had a complicated surgery to treat his injuries. Three months later, he was adopted, and is thriving today. Read Foster’s full story here.
Marvel was thrown out of a moving car.
Marvel
Marvel was cruelly thrown out of a moving car, injuring his front leg. Under the care of Happy Tails Rescue in Chatham, VA, it became clear that the leg would require surgery, as Marvel was dragging it and it was becoming swollen and abraded. Our grant enabled Marvel to get his foot repaired to prevent pain and further injury. Today, he’s been adopted and can now walk normally, run, play and jump. Marvel has been adopted! Read Marvel’s full story here.
One of Gypsy’s rear feet was missing.
Gypsy
The 6-month-old long-haired calico was brought to Helotes Humane Society in San Antonio, TX, because her owners could not afford the care she needed. She’d been found with one of her rear feet missing and the other partially gone. The shelter’s vet said Gypsy needed part of her leg amputated to relieve her pain. Thanks to our grant, Gypsy got the surgery she needed and was adopted soon thereafter. She doesn’t let her disability hamper her life, and enjoys lots of love and affection in her new home. Read Gypsy’s full story here.
Your donations made happy endings possible for these cats and hundreds of other pets. Thank you for supporting the Petfinder Foundation and helping pets in need!
This donation is in memory of Miss Betty, beloved companion to my dear friends Holly Morris and Renee Holoien. Betty’s unexpected departure on April 10, 2019, was a shock to all who knew and loved her … and now miss her so very much. She was such a character. Much love, Jenny
During January’s polar vortex, temperatures in some parts of the country hit minus-30 degrees. In such extreme temperatures, shelters pets are incredibly vulnerable.
That’s why the Petfinder Foundation is introducing Winter Warming Grants (and, later, Summer Cooling Grants) as part of our longstanding Disaster Preparedness and Relief Program.
Our Disaster Grant helped the dogs at Oklahoma’s Perkins Animal Control. “Our shelter is partially open-air,” said Animal Welfare Supervisor Colleen Crummy. “In the worst of winter, our aging heating system could not even keep the shelter above freezing, and the dogs’ water would be frozen.” With our grant, the shelter purchased infrared heaters and had outlets installed to power them.
Our grant kept Cody warm all winter.
This was a blessing to dogs like Cody (pictured above), who was found roaming a field, skinny, cold, and scratched-up. “Despite his rough appearance, he was one of the sweetest dogs we have ever had,” Crummy says. “He enjoyed the warmth of the shelter, which was provided by our new heaters. Cody now lives nearby and is enjoying a very spoiled life.”
Diddy was abandoned during a polar vortex.
Another dog who benefited from a Petfinder Foundation grant was Diddy (pictured above). The 11-month-old boxer mix was abandoned in Illinois during a polar vortex and left in the cold to fend for himself until a good Samaritan took him to Hope Animal Rescues.
Unfortunately, the shelter’s pipes were damaged by the extreme cold, and it lost heat and running water. Our grant paid for repairs and insulation so the pipes will never freeze again, and the shelter was again livable for pets like Diddy, who’s since been adopted.
We don’t expect to see the end of extreme heat and cold any time soon, so these severe-weather grants are now a permanent part of our Disaster program. Your donation to our Disaster Fund will help us save lives.
Every time we give a grant to a shelter or rescue group, we ask for a report detailing how they used the funds and telling us the story of an individual pet helped as a result. (You can read all of these reports here.)
There are always some that make us smile, or laugh, or say, “wow!” And I wanted to share those with you. So here you’ll find our favorites from 2018, all featuring pets helped by your donations.
Best Breed Ambassador: Ginger
An adoptable pit bull at Associated Humane Societes in Newark, N.J., Ginger (pictured above) arrived at the shelter fearful and anxious. The staff decided to make her the resident office dog to socialize her. She quickly came to love all people, and soon got a second job: She visits area libraries so children can practice reading to her. Her calm, sweet disposition mean she’s always a popular audience.
Best Jogging Buddy: T-Bone
We’ve heard of stray dogs joining humans on their runs, but cats? T-Bone was walking along a Colorado hiking trail when a man jogged by. The friendly cat joined him and ran along beside him for a couple of miles. After the run, the jogger brought T-Bone to Colorado’s Routt County Humane Society, where a Petfinder Foundation grant helped him find a wonderful forever home.
Most Dramatic Rescue: Bear
Fleeing Hawaii’s volcanic eruption in May, a dog named Bear and his owner were separated moments before they were to be rescued by helicopter. Despite many subsequent searches, Bear could not be found. After several weeks, volunteers hiked into the lava-flow zone and found him! He was much leaner, but in good spirits and happy for some company. With help from our disaster grant, Hawaii Island Humane Society was able to rescue Bear (along with some cats, ducks and chickens) and reunite him with his owner.
Best Model: Pom Pom
When Pom Pom was adopted after 2 1/2 years at Jersey Shore Animal Center, staff and volunteers cried tears of joy. Her adopter didn’t care that Pom Pom was 10 years old, had no teeth, and suffered from an autoimmune disease — she just wanted to rescue a cat who really needed a home. Sweet Pom Pom had been so beloved at the shelter that a volunteer painted a beautiful picture of her, which was presented to her adopter. Pom Pom is now being pampered in her forever home.
Best Second Act: Jackson
Jackson lost both eyes as a result of dog fighting. Florida’s Pit Sisters rescue took him into its TAILS (Teaching Animals and Inmates Life Skills) program and, when one particular inmate started training Jackson, they formed an instant bond. Thanks to a Petfinder Foundation grant, Jackson was able to go home with his new dad after graduation — the perfect second chapter for both.
Best Office Assistant: Casper
Casper would “attack” when anyone tried to open the door to his cage at Michigan’s Harbor Humane Society. So staffers decided to see how Casper would do in a different environment and put him into office foster. Within hours, Casper showed his true nature. He loved attention so much, staff took to calling him Caspuurrrr because of his loud purrs when he was pet. He soon went to a wonderful home with another long-term resident cat.
Best Cinderella Story: Ginger
Somerset Humane Society in Maine used our grant to purchase agility equipment, which worked like a charm on a 2-year-old pit mix named Ginger. Ginger had been at the shelter for months, with no interest because she was so anxious in her kennel, barking and throwing herself at the kennel door. But the new agility equipment helped her use up her excess energy and focus on learning routines. After the shelter posted Facebook photos of her doing her tricks, she was adopted within a week!
As you know, these stories are only possible because of your support. Thank you so much from all of us at the Petfinder Foundation, and warmest wishes for 2019!
We’ve awarded a Disaster Grant of $750 to Oscar’s Cause in Dundee, Florida, to help care for pets it rescued from Hurricanes Michael and Florence.
“Our disaster relief team deployed with supplies for Hurricane Michael two weeks after returning home from Hurricane Florence,” says Funding Coordinator Tori Hodges. “Our efforts included search and rescue, supply distribution, transportation and intake. We brought home three surrenders in need of medical care who were directly impacted by the hurricane.”
The grant funds will go directly to those three dogs, who needed to be completely vetted and cared for while awaiting forever homes. One of the three, Riley (pictured above), a 2- to 3-year-old boxer mix, has severe PTSD and anxiety from being crated inside his home as it collapsed during Hurricane Michael. Oscar’s Cause is working with local trainers to provide him support during his decompression time. The group expects him to be one of the more difficult adoption cases at its facility.
Another dog, Rico (pictured below), approximately 11-month-old, 70-lb. male bulldog mix, has been adopted.
We asked the shelters and rescue groups that received grants from the Petfinder Foundation this year to send us their favorite rescued-pet transformations of 2018.
Here are just a few of the submissions we received.
Many of these images are graphic. But these are the realities that animal rescuers face on a daily basis. Thank you to the shelter staff and rescue-group volunteers who work around the clock to save these vulnerable pets.
As wildfires devastate California, we’re helping shelters save displaced and injured pets. Here are a few of the disaster grants we’ve sent out so far:
Butte Humane Society: $4,000
The Camp Fire in Northern California’s Butte County has destroyed more than 10,000 structures, displaced more than 50,000 people, and caused more than 60 deaths, and more than 600 people are currently reported missing. Many households in the region have pets. “Conservatively, we estimate that there will be at least 15,000 dogs and cats (not including other small animals or livestock) that are displaced, injured, abandoned, lost or have already perished,” Butte Humane Society Development Director Brad Montgomery tells us. “We feel it will take weeks or even months in order to truly evaluate the scope of the impact.”
BHS has been working with regional partners to do everything it can to help its community’s pets and their owners. The first day of the fire, the shelter moved out all of its adoptable animals — either to emergency foster homes or shelters in safe zones — to open up needed space for evacuees’ pets and injured and stray animals from the impacted areas.
Ruger, a rescued dog at BHS
“Our partners North Valley Animal Disaster Group, Chico Animal Control and Butte County Animal Control have handled much of the sheltering of the evacuated animals, and we’ve been asked to shelter and care for overflow and a number of injured strays,” Montgomery says. “We also noticed that, because people can’t keep their animals with them at the American Red Cross shelters, many people have chosen to keep their animals with them wherever they are, from living the last week in a Walmart parking lot to staying with friends or in motels, to staying in shelters and keeping their animals outside in their vehicles or in crates or whatever they have.”
To help these evacuees, the shelter established a temporary pet-supply resource center at an offsite warehouse. “We have received literally tons of donated pet supplies and we are giving them to people in need,” Montgomery says. “People are breaking into tears when we give them a doggy bed, a bag of cat food, or a dog leash.”
A burned stray cat being cared for at BHS
BHS has also been providing veterinary services at its clinic. “We are fortunate to have an exceptional veterinarian named Dr. Turner, as well as backups in crisis from other partner agencies,” Montgomery says. “Dr. Turner lost her home in this fire, yet she’s still at work providing our clinic services. She’s ensuring that the injured animals we are taking care of are getting the treatments they need.”
At the same time, the shelter continues to provide many of its regular services, such as spay/neuter, vaccinations, and microchipping. “We have started providing these services at no cost to those impacted by the Camp Fire,” Montgomery says. “It’s simply the right thing to do in this situation to remain true to our organizational mission. Our average costs are roughly $190 per animal.”
Santa Maria Valley Humane Society: $3,000
Southern California is suffering from wildfires as well. As of Nov. 17 in Ventura and Los Angeles counties, the Woolsey Fire was 82% contained after burning 98,362 acres and displacing thousands of people and animals. Santa Maria Valley Humane Society is providing care and safety to dogs and cats transferred from at-capacity shelters in the area.
Dogs transferred to Santa Maria Valley Humane Society to make room for evacuees’ pets
“On average, Santa Maria Valley Humane Society cares for about 100 dogs and cats at any given time,” says Executive Director Sean Hawkins. “In addition, this last week we accepted another 43 dogs and cats who were transferred to us from Ventura County Animal Services and Santa Barbara County Animal Services so that those agencies could make room for animal victims of the emergency evacuation due to the Woolsey Fire.”
Our grant funds will be used for veterinary care of these animals, including specialized surgeries, spaying or neutering, vaccinations, and to help offset fee-waived adoptions to move these animals into homes as quickly as possible.
Surfcat Cafe and Adoptions: $2,500
Our grant will help the Oxnard, CA-based rescue group care for cats displaced by the Woolsey and Hill Fires in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties.
Osiris, an injured cat cared for by Surfcat Rescue
“Our first response is to help fire victims recover their cats,” says Executive Director Leslie Ann Weiss. “We were able to purchase wildlife night-vision cameras and feeding-site materials so displaced cats had food and water. Once cats were spotted on the video feed, we were able to place humane live traps to rescue them and reunite them with their humans.”
The group is also pulling “less-adoptable” cats from local shelters including Ventura County Animal Services and Humane Society of Ventura. The Petfinder Foundation’s Disaster Grant will help fund emergency medical care for injured cats and supplies for foster parents keeping displaced cats safe and healthy until they can be in a more permanent location.
My donation is a memorial for my friends who have just lost their beloved spaniel, Millie. They found Millie 10 years ago with Petfinder. Here is Millie’s picture on a happy day when she got a new leash!–Diann Hicks Carlson
Hensley, a female Lab-mix puppy, was found in Pender County, N.C., by the Asheville-based Brother Wolf Animal Rescue.
Here’s an update on how the adoption groups who received Petfinder Foundation Disaster Grants are helping pets impacted by Hurricane Florence.
A dog being transported to safety by Peak Lab Rescue
We granted $2,500 to Peak Lab Rescue in Apex, N.C., which has rescued more than 100 dogs from Florence, including 48 dogs pulled before the storm at the request of shelters facing closure, as well as pets still being rescued from affected areas on an ongoing basis. The group also transported 42 dogs and 40 cats to safety from the Carteret County Humane Society in Newport, N.C., after it was partially destroyed by Florence.
Larkin, a 3-month-old kitten, was found by Brother Wolf in Pender County, N.C.
We granted $2,000 to Brother Wolf Animal Rescue in Asheville, N.C., which rescued and/or provided care to around 250 animals before and after Hurricane Florence. Brother Wolf evacuated animals from shelters in Harnett County, N.C., and Horry and Fairfield Counties in South Carolina, transporting them to 10 rescue partners New York State and Fort Myers, Fla.
Brother Wolf also sent its Rapid Response team to rescue stray, lost and abandoned animals from the floodwaters in Warsaw, N.C. The pets rescued included a tiny 4-week-old kitten found screaming for help atop a floating pile of debris; two dogs, one of them completely blind, who’d been abandoned in one-foot-deep freezing water inside their home; and four cats whose elderly owners had been forced to evacuate without them and were desperate to get them back.
Kassandra was rescued by Operation Paws for Homes
We also granted $1,500 to Operation Paws for Homes in Alexandria, Va., which transported animals from rural North and South Carolina shelters. The pets saved included Kassandra (above), a 5-year-old Lab mix who’d been in a shelter that was right in Florence’s path and was forced to evacuate. Kassandra, who is shy at first but gets along with dogs, cats, and kids, is healthy and ready for her forever home!
Gummo was brought to an N.J. foster home .
Our grant of $1,000 to JerseyGirls Animal Rescue in South Plainfield, N.J., helped the seven dogs the group rescued from North Carolina, before and after Hurricane Florence. All the dogs, who range from just under a year to 4-5 years old, received routine vet care, spay/neuter, and treatment for any medical conditions, and all seven are still available for adoption. They include Gummo (above, pictured while waiting for transport to a foster home in New Jersey).
Thank you so much for your donation to our Disaster Fund; we could not have helped these organizations save lives without donors like you!
As the floodwaters from Hurricane Florence continue to rise, we’re helping adoption groups that are rescuing abandoned animals and evacuating adoptable pets from local shelters to make room for flood victims.
A kitten rescued by Brother Wolf
We’ve sent a Disaster Grant to Brother Wolf Animal Rescue in Asheville, N.C., whose Rapid Response team is running search-and-rescue efforts in flooded areas. “It’s not uncommon to find dogs on chains neck-deep in water, community cats in trees, and animals who are ill, injured, or severely malnourished and dehydrated from surviving for days without food or fresh water,” Brother Wolf’s Andee Bingham tells us.
A puppy rescued by Operation Paws for Homes
We’ve also rushed funds to Operation Paws for Homes in Alexandria, Va., which transported animals from rural North and South Carolina shelters in Florence’s path. “Many have only outdoor kennels that offer little protection from the elements,” says OPH volunteer Mark Conners. The pets are now in loving foster homes and receiving necessary veterinary care.
This dog is safe with JerseyGirls.
Another Disaster Grant recipient, JerseyGirls Animal Rescue in South Plainfield, N.J., has taken in adoptable dogs from a North Carolina shelter that had to evacuate prior to Florence’s arrival. “We intend to rescue more dogs from the areas affected by the hurricane,” says president Rosemary Petriello. “Unfortunately, the likelihood of those dogs being in poor health is very high.”
These grants are just the beginning of what we expect to be weeks of rescue and recovery efforts. We are continuing to reach out to shelters and rescue groups to provide whatever assistance is needed.
Your donation to our Disaster Fund will help the animal victims of Hurricane Florence.
Cindy before surgery (left) and in her new home
Your donations to the Petfinder Foundation’s Emergency Medical Fund help hundreds of sick, injured and abused homeless pets every year. Here are four of the most recent:
Cindy
As a young puppy, Cindy’s leg was badly injured (she may have been hit by a car). Rather than seeking proper treatment, her owner chose to apply a homemade splint. This caused her leg to become permanently deformed, making it difficult for her to sit, stand and walk and causing permanent pain. Our grant to Homeless Animal Rescue Team in Virginia paid for Cindy’s amputation surgery, and today, Cindy is happy, healthy, and living the good life with her doggy brother in her forever home! Read her story.
Vladimir has made a full recovery Vladimir
This 1-year-old Siberian husky was hit by a car on a major highway in San Antonio. Rescued by Molino de Suenos/Windmill of Dreams Animal Rescue and Sanctuary in Texas, he was taken to a veterinary clinic and x-rays showed multiple fractures in his leg. Our grant paid for his much-needed orthopedic surgery. Vladimir had 100% recovery of his leg function and has been adopted. Read his story.
Pixie is loving her pain-free life in her new home Pixie
When Pixie came to the Roanoke Valley SPCA in Virginia, she refused to walk. X-rays revealed that her leg had been broken and had tried to heal without treatment. Thanks to our grant, the shelter was able to pay for amputation surgery and placed Pixie in a foster home to recover. After weeks of healing, Pixie’s foster family realized they had fallen in love with her so much that they had to adopt her. Pixie is now part of a loving family that spoils her rotten! Read her story.
Barney is loved by his new family Barney
Barney was surrendered to Georgia Pet T.A.I.L.S. after his owner left him on a cable tie-out during the day. The cable got caught wrapped around his back legs. He was left like that for so long that the circulation was cut off nearly the entire day to both rear legs. Our grant enabled the rescue to provide Barney with two surgeries and several skin grafts, and today he is a healthy, happy boy who has recently been adopted! Read his story.
Thank you so much for all your support, which allows us to save these pets and many others like them!
Gemma at the vet (left) and headed to her new home
Every day, our Emergency Medical Fund helps save pets who have been terribly abused, injured and neglected, getting them critical medical care so that they can find loving, forever homes.
These are just a few pets helped by your donation recently:
Gemma
In April, the Berea Animal Rescue Fund in Ohio received a call that a puppy had been brought into a local vet’s office after a family member strangled her for having an accident in the house. The puppy was close to death and the family, unwilling to pay for her treatment, wanted to have her euthanized. Berea ARF rescued the pup and, with help from a Petfinder Foundation grant, got Gemma the x-rays, oxygen therapy, and antibiotics she needed to survive. Gemma made a full recovery and was adopted by her loving foster mom. Read her full story.
Rosie before her surgery (left) and after Rosie
Our grant to New Leash on Life USA in Pennsylvania provided much-needed relief to Rosie, whose ears had been crudely and cruelly cropped and stitched with fishing wire before she ended up at a crowded Philadelphia shelter. Despite regular cleaning, Rosie’s ears were chronically inflamed and infected due to fluid trapped within scar tissue. Surgery removed her remaining ear tissue, and Rosie is now pain-free, recovering well and serving as the organization’s ambassador dog, teaching children and adults about dogs’ resilient spirits. Read Rosie’s story.
Fonzie after surgery (left) and with his new mom Fonzie
The 3-month-old beagle was found in a cemetery, where he’d been living for at least two weeks, abandoned with a badly broken hind leg. Forever Friends Humane Society in Oklahoma picked him up and, thanks to a Petfinder Foundation grant, was able to bring him to the vet for surgery immediately. Fonzie was quickly adopted and his new family followed all his recovery instructions. He now leads a normal, happy life with a wonderful family that loves him dearly! Read his full story.
Daryl after surgery (left) and with his new mom Daryl
In January, a good Samaritan came across a stray cat who’d been hit by a car and was badly injured, a bone protruding from his hind leg. His rescuer took him to Pets Alive in Middletown, N.Y., which immedately brought him to a veterinary hospital. Sadly, Daryl had a compound fracture and doctors could not save his leg, but thanks to a Petfinder Foundation grant, he got the surgery he needed. He made a full recovery and soon captured the heart of a family, who report that he’s a playful and energetic companion, “even with just three legs!” Read Daryl’s story.
So many pets like these can only get a chance at happy lives with expensive medical intervention, and your donations make these treatments possible. Thank you again for helping the most vulnerable homeless pets.
Please give your furry friends a big hug tonight. We lost our Charlie on Sept. 23, 2019, in an attack occurring in our yard. We didn’t hear anything. We have no idea what it was. If you’re like us, and see the stories about animal attacks or even just coyote/owl/bobcat/mountain lion sightings, but don’t think this could happen to you, please remember our Charlie. Let this be yet another reminder that we have a lot of wildlife that will take advantage of those of us that get too comfortable and don’t take precautions.
Brody will be missed by more than you know.–Donna Webb
Every time we give a grant to a shelter or rescue group, we ask for a report detailing how they used the funds and telling us the story of an individual pet helped as a result. (
