Before they come to us our animals experience incredible hardship so they frequently require special care, including extensive surgery, specialty veterinary care, and physical or emotional rehabilitation. For most of our animals, that recovery occurs in a foster home where they can be supported by loving people while they complete their veterinary follow-ups and learn to trust. Below are the animals currently under the supervision of a veterinarian or recovering in a foster home.
P.S. – Foster homes are always needed. If you are interested in fostering, please see our information about fostering here.
Max is approximately 9 months old and came to us malnourished and dehydrated with pneumonia. The family who had been trying to help realized he needed more than they could give and reached out to us for assistance. Max has been examined by several veterinary specialists and was diagnosed with megaesophagus which means he is unable to swallow food normally because his esophagus lacks the muscle tone needed to move food and water down. Max is now ready for a forever family who understands the needs of a dog with megaesophagus!
This precious one-year-old boy was unable to walk more than a few feet without collapsing due to possible spinal fracture and muscle wasting. Meatball has been in this condition for quite some time based on the muscle atrophy in his back legs. 85% of his weight is being carried by his front legs. Unfortunately after three surgeries and months of rehab, his back legs will never be able to straighten so he can walk normally. He is now part of our Hospice program!
A sweetheart in our Hospice program who is thriving with love and veterinary care. They have reconstructed his nasal passages, but some teeth were lost and more surgery may be required. Chewbacca nuzzles and loves to be cuddled!
A tragic case whose back paws were severed by some type of barbaric trap. Josie underwent a ground breaking surgery that transplanted a portion of her front paw pads to the back in the hopes that she will be able to walk pain free without the need for prosthetics. The transplant is making great progress but has been slow in healing. One paw is doing great the other, which was cut off farther up, is progressing but still has a way to go. She can walk with her boots on but prefers to be carried by her fosters – she may be a bit spoiled!
Durango had an abscess on his neck and was struggling to use his back legs. He is also heart worm positive. He was picked up by animal control and taken to a local shelter, it is clear he has suffered in his four years of life. He is thriving in a loving foster home while he undergoes treatment for heart worm.
Katy weighed less than 8 lbs. when rescued. A dog her age, should weigh around 25lbs. Tests and x-rays have shown her esophagus has a large pocket that is keeping her from swallowing food. Katy is now at Blue Pearl for evaluation and surgery. This surgery will be life changing for this sweet puppy.
This handsome boy is six months old and was found by the side of the road in frigid temperatures. Clinging to life, River was rushed to an emergency hospital where he needed a blood transfusion immediately to survive. The injuries to his back legs were severe and very painful. The specialists examined him and determined that one of his back legs could not be saved and was amputated. Surgery was performed on the other and he is now recovering in a loving foster home. Everyone who meets this beautiful boy falls in love – he has such a warm and loving attitude despite all his suffering.
This tiny little man was originally “purchased” outside of a Tractor Supply. When the new owner realized he had issues, they offered him for free on Facebook. One of our supporters immediately picked him up and called us for help. Charlie has neurological issues, walking in circles at times and intermittent tremors. It is suspected he has hydrocephalus – we are unsure of the severity as he does play, has a great appetite and loves to snuggle. An MRI and CT are needed to determine the treatment needed. Surgery to place a ventriculoperitoneal shunt can be performed if needed.
This 6-month old puppy’s front let was almost completely severed. It is unclear how this happened to poor Aries but we could not say no when asked to help. He has undergone surgery to amputate his leg and remove the infected tissue. He is now recovering in a loving foster home.
GUNSHOT WOUND TO THE HEAD – UNABLE TO OPEN MOUTH MORE THAN AN INCH. SARGE CAN NOW OPEN HIS MOUTH, EAT, DRINK AND HOWL LIKE A NORMAL COONHOUND! Sarge has spent his life on a chain and has been shot more than one time in his head and neck. He’s had a very hard life up to this point but his foster tells us ” he is the most lovable dog I have ever met and will lean into you forever to get some loving.”
TRAGIC NEW CASE! EMACIATED, UNABLE TO STAND, COVERED IN FECES AND URINE! OWNERS POSTED THEY WERE GOING TO “WATCH THE DOG DIE. Two good Samaritans contacted the owners who said they did not know what was wrong with Lacuna, a six-month-old German Shepherd, and were not going to take her for medical care. The owners gave Lacuna to them and they immediately rushed her to an emergency veterinarian and her diagnosis was STARVATION – she only weighs 18lbs! Her incredible rescuers then reached out to us for help! Lacuna has a long recovery road ahead but her fosters say she is very sweet, always happy to see people and LOVES kids.
Mercy –
SEVERE FULL BODY MANGE AND VERY PREGNANT! Mercy has clearly been on her own for a long while. She was picked up as a stray and taken to a rural shelter. The chances that she and her unborn babies would make it out of the shelter were slim and we were contacted for help. Mercy is about 3-years old and a golden retriever mix. Her life has been very rough up to this point but she is still very calm and sweet. Her eyes are so grateful for soft bedding, treats and a gentle touch. Mercy has delivered six beautiful pups who will be available for adoption soon!
BULLET FRAGMENTS AROUND SPINE AND NECK CAUSING LEFT SIDE PARALYSIS TO FACE, COVERED IN FLEAS AND TICKS, MALNORISHED! Chase has been on his own for some time before finding a kind family who reached out for help. He was taken for immediate specialty veterinary care where the X-rays revealed that the bullet fragments had been there for some time and cannot be removed. Chase will have permanent facial paralysis on the left side which causes his head to tilt as well as being unable to blink his eye on that side. This 27-pound boy is about 3-years-old and has clearly had a rough life. With all he has suffered, Chase is an amazing boy with a very kind and gentle spirit.
This handsome young boy was in a rural shelter when a life -threatening wound that needed immediate attention was detected and they reached out to us for help. The pain became so great he did not want to walk and had to be carried. It was determined by his veterinary team that the wound was a brown recluse spider bite and Logan remains hospitalized for continued wound management and IV antibiotics. Logan is a very well mannered, medium size young boy who will be neutered and available for adoption as soon as he recovers!
THE LUCKIEST UNLUCKY CAT IN THE WORLD! Good news, the arrow did not hit any major organs and passed between the shoulder blades. Andy is still in the hospital where they are treating his horribly infected wound but his prognosis is good!
BELLA WAS FOUND EMACIATED, WEAK AND READY TO GIVE BIRTH ON A CONCRETE FLOOR IN A RURAL SHELTER! We were able to get to her in time and she delivered nine beautiful puppies with the assistance of her veterinary team! The pups appear to be healthy but both Mom and pups will continue to be monitored for a few more days until they are released to a foster home. Bella needs to be slowly refed due to her emaciated condition but also needs a high calorie diet to feed all these babies!
Knuckles was found by a Good Samaritan and taken to an emergency veterinary hospital who contacted us for help. His front legs cross over one another when he walks and he also has some tremors. His veterinary team is running tests to find out the cause of these deficits. They believe it could be from trauma, infection, or a congenital abnormality. He is currently being treated with antibiotics in case an infection is the cause. However, if he doesn’t improve, he’ll need to see a neurologist and an MRI to determine the cause and treatment to correct.