Stay Giving, San Diego!
Give Local. Save Lives.
- Be the reason a pet gets a second chance at life
- Be the reason a pet gets the care they deserve
- Together, we can create a world where people and animals heal, help, and inspire others
Your Gift Saves Pets Like Gertie
Helen Woodward Animal Center has plenty of experience treating orphan pets with health issues, but some cases tug especially hard on the heart.
Earlier this year, Helen Woodward Animal Center introduced the public to a 1-year-old canine named Gertie. With all the signs of being used in the illegal world of dog-fighting, the docile pup had survived one of the worst abuse cases witnessed at the Center in years.
Severely emaciated, covered in scars, with torn ears and a mutilated muzzle that had been bound shut, along with open wounds around her mouth, Gertie would die without proper care. The Center immediately agreed to take her in. Despite her suffering, Gertie was gentle, affectionate, and trusting upon her arrival. In fact, she responded to each act of kindness the Helen Woodward Animal Veterinary staff gave her with overly enthusiastic tail wags, a condition known as “happy tail” – a syndrome that causes breaks and splits to the tail when slapped against walls and hard objects with immense force. Gertie’s broken tail was a desperate and heartbreaking sign of her relief and gratitude.
For more than two months, Gertie slowly recovered through loving care by the veterinary team at Helen Woodward Animal Center, along with the kind assistance of foster families who opened their homes to her at her greatest time of need. Major dental work to remove her broken and decaying teeth, concentrated nutrition, antibiotics, vaccines, a spay surgery and an introduction to such simple luxuries as an indoor bed and gentle touch were all part of Gertie’s healing.
Thankfully, Gertie is now happy, healthy and as loving as ever. Without the support of our community, she would not have survived to receive the love and care she deserves.
Will you give today to help Gertie and other pets in need of critical medical care?
Ms. Mittens Needed a Loving Home
Ms. Mittens, 8 years old, was originally rescued from an auto shop in Orange County, CA. Despite a rough start to life, she was accustomed to a comfortable, safe, and predictable life with her savior, a senior woman with a huge heart, Shirlee McDaniels.
Ms. Mittens was treated with love and compassion, and was living her dream life. Upon the passing of her beloved owner, Ms. Mittens’ care was entrusted to the devoted Adoptions team at Helen Woodward Animal Center. While we always provide love, shelter, and compassion for the animals in our care, shelter life comes with its challenges, especially for a senior cat who has experienced the benefits of a home and loving family.
In addition to the shock and anxiety such an unexpected change can cause, Ms. Mittens was in need of medical care. Her right front dewclaw had grown into her paw which had caused an infected and inflamed paw pad and had caused a mass that required surgical removal under sedation. Upon evaluation, it was determined to be a giant cell granuloma which is a benign, non-cancerous growth. Everything healed well after the removal, and she was made available for adoption!
Luckily for Ms. Mittens, her stay with us was not long. She received medical clearance and was adopted within 5 weeks of her arrival to the Center. She is now back to living the calm and comfortable life she deserves, with a family who will cherish her for years to come.
Helen Woodward Animal Center is able to provide pets like Ms. Mittens the help they need and commit to their care for as long as needed, only thanks to the kindness of people like you.
Will you give today and help pets like Ms. Mittens in loving memory of Shirlee A. McDaniels?