Hot Off The Collar Blog

We still need your help

Hot Off the Collar | Volume 40

We’ve spent the last four years coming up with creative ways to address unprecedented changes in animal welfare, but we haven’t done it alone. In 2020, we expanded from 30-40 animals in foster homes, to a program that could accommodate 150-200 animals in foster care. That program has changed our business model and expanded our capacity 

Your donations convinced us we could do it. 

In 2021 and 2022, as the world returned to pre-pandemic life, we were overwhelmed with abandoned or surrendered animals; caring for as many as 324 animals a day

Your donations enabled us to keep our doors open. 

In late 2023 and well into 2024, we’ve been faced with escalating costs for food, medications and facility services. If the trend continues, our animal care expenses could rise by more than $200,000 

Your donations continue to give us the ability to tackle this unforeseen challenge. 

I hope that as you read about our determination to save Gregory the dog and Si the cat, you are comforted in the same way we find comfort in your generosity. 

Your support reinforces our belief that we’re not alone Your donations give us the confidence to overcome any obstacle. 

Click here to donate to our direct mail campaign

CASE 24-121: GregoryAge:  3.5 years old 
Condition: GUARDED 
Time in care:  8 months 
Prognosis:  POOR 
Status: Awaiting his forever home


 

In February of 2024 when Gregory arrived, we didn’t hold out much hope. In his short and arduous life, he’d suffered a serious fracture of his left hind leg. As a result, the muscle had started to atrophy and the leg was badly infected. He also had a ruptured right eye. With three working legs and one eye, Gregory’s long-term survival was in doubt. We scheduled amputation surgery and crossed our fingers that he’d heal quickly so we could then remove his ruptured eye and start him on a long road to recovery.  

Since he hadn’t been using the broken leg, he adapted quickly. Four weeks later we scheduled the eye removal and his neuter surgery at the same time. Once again, he was up and around in record time. We started to allow for the possibility that Gregory would have a chance at a full life. Then we discovered a lump on his remaining hind leg. Preliminary tests indicated it could be malignant so a lumpectomy was scheduled. We nervously awaited the lab results.  
The tumour was benign but relief was short lived. Gregory had developed an infection at the incision site. A week later he had yet another surgery. In less than two months Gregory had undergone four surgical procedures. He needed time to recover so we sent him to an experienced foster family. After three months, he was adopted, but he was returned after about six weeks.  
As I write this, Gregory is motoring around our front office; looking for attention and wagging his tail with every pat. Despite the fact that the cost of his care has exceeded $10,000 we’re committed to finding him a forever home. Your $20 or $50 or $100 is a building block in that commitment. Without you, we couldn’t even consider saving Gregory or dozens of others Please continue to give what you can and we’ll continue opening our doors and our hearts to the ill, the injured or the suffering animals that need us. 

CASE 23-562: Si 
Age:  10 years old 
Condition: GRAVE 
Time in care:  4 months 
Prognosis:  POOR 
Status: Adopted 

Last fall, we received a stray, 10-year-old Siamese with severe dental disease. She was vomiting, dehydrated, and refused to eat. We named her Si. After 12 dental extractions, we put her on a feeding tube. When the tube stopped working our foster coordinator Carlie fed her by syringe 3X a day. After three months of care and patience Si was finally eating on her own. In February of 2024 we found her a forever home. Without your donations and support, we could never accept sick older cats. With your help, cats like Si get the second chance they deserve. 

Click here to donate to our direct mail campaign

 

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