November means getting ready to spend time with, and buying gifts for, the ones we love the most. As we make our Thanksgiving plans and our Black Friday shopping lists, it’s important to remember those who lack the luxury of loved ones and lavish feasts. Every day thousands of orphan pets – with endless wells of love to give – enter the shelter system. Many of these beautiful animals, like River and Kevin, have special needs that can stretch a rescue’s resources to the brink – sometimes to the detriment of other animals in their care. It’s only because of your generosity that Helen Woodward Animal Center can provide these orphan pets with the care they need. This Giving Tuesday, you can make DOUBLE the impact, thanks to True North Charity fund who are matching all donations up to $100,000!
The Cat Found in the River
Orphan pets like River need your help. River is a 1 year old Tuxedo who came to the Center by way of one of our rescue partners in Southern California. She was found in a dried-up river bed – hence her name – scared, alone, and plagued with a grade 3 heart murmur. Our partner knew the Center could give her the care and forever home she deserves, so they sent her to us. Thanks to generous people like you, we’re able to have a state-of-the-art medical facility that can provide care to orphan pets like River.
Our on-site medical staff were able to diagnose River’s condition via echocardiogram, and develop a treatment plan that her future family could implement so she could live a long and happy life. Within a week of being made available, River found her forever home.
The Loving Eye of Kevin
Other pets like Kevin, need a little bit more time and care. Kevin is a 2 year old Papillon blend who came to the Center with a “cherry eye” – or prolapsed eyelid gland. The medical team opted to treat the condition by replacing the affected gland. However, Kevin had post-op complications. An ulcer developed on his cornea that wouldn’t go away on its own. The Center’s in-house veterinarian determined the ulcer was impairing Kevin’s vision and causing him pain. Often times, shelters would just go ahead and remove the eye. But thanks to the generosity of animal lovers like you, the Center is able to pursue less invasive treatment options.
The medical staff opted to treat Kevin with a mix of antibiotics, pain meds, close monitoring, and lots of love. The ulcer took time, but within a month of starting treatment, it healed completely! Kevin kept his eye, kept his vision, and the only evidence anything was wrong came in the form of a small scar. Shortly after healing, he was made available for adoption, where he found his forever family within days.
