Pumpkin Fund
Pumpkin at her worst - December 2004
Late in 2004 we established the "Pumpkin Fund" named after a little puppy we found in a pile of pumpkins at a local supermarket around Halloween. She was brought to the Shelter on Provincial Road where she was assessed as being severely malnourished, suffering from a skin condition and a low-grade infection. Pumpkin was thought to be about five weeks old.
Pumpkin renewing her acquaintance
with Dr. Faner on a visit to the Shelter – April 2006
Teemos in recovery
We were able to continue Pumpkin’s extraordinary care because of the response of our supporters to our pleas for financial assistance and we continue to utilize the ‘Pumpkin Fund’today to care for severely distressed animals. To the end of 2006 four cats and six dogs have benefited from our ability to call on the ‘Pumpkin Fund’for the more than $6,000 needed to tend to their medical needs. In early 2007 we began treating our second dog for heartworm, a procedure requiring confined care for over two months and a cost for medicine alone exceeding $300. Before the ‘Pumkin Fund’none of these animals would have survived to live happy lives in caring homes.
The support of our donors in 2007 has been gratifying and we thank everyone who has given, however the fund is rapidly depleting; and as well, we are finding we are devoting much more of the staff medical resources to the purposes originally intended to be supported by the Pumpkin Fund. Teemos, pictured to the right was seized by agents of the Humane Society recently from an owner who was not providing medical care. We were alerted by the emergency veterinary clinic to her serious condition and the owners’ failure to continue treatment resulted in our action. Teemos suffered fractures to both the radius and ulna of her right front leg, and when taken into our care the wound was open, the bone was protruding from the leg and she was suffering further from infection. Teemos was stabilized to the best of our ability awaiting an indication from the owner that he was prepared to provide the care needed, however after a very few days we determined she required immediate specialist attention and she was transported to Oakland Veterinary Referral Services in Bloomfield Hills MI for a consult and treatment by a Veterinary Orthopaedic Specialist. We have incurred consulting veterinary costs in excess of $4,000 to date caring for Teemos and based upon our experience in the past don’t expect to recover any of these costs from her previous owner. We have also expended more than $1,000 of staff costs and medical supplies. Once the need for the immediate medical treatment being provided through our in house medical staff has lessened we will be placing Teemos in a caring foster home and the prognosis for a complete recovery is good.
Also in 2007 we did our best for Rudy, a Basset Hound that was surrendered along with his buddy, Smeagle, a Beagle because THEY HAD NO TIME. Both dogs were 9 – 10 years old. Smeagle was epileptic and was receiving medication which we continued, but no other medical problems were identified on surrender. Rescues had been arranged to keep the two together, however they presented with symptoms of respiratory illness and the rescue had to be cancelled. Because of their age and suspected lack of previous vaccinations, their mild respiratory illness progressed to bronchitis and pneumonia. We treated both with IV fluids and administered as much as ten daily injections of medication over a period of two weeks before we able to see a clinical improvement and both patients began eating and drinking on their own. After another two weeks of care their conditions had plateaued and we arranged to transfer them to a sanctuary where they would receive follow up medical and loving care for the rest of their lives. Just prior to the transport Smeagle died in his sleep and Rudy was sent off on his own. The transport turned out to be too difficult for his body systems to handle and Rudy was rushed to a veterinarian shortly after arrival at the sanctuary. Extensive efforts were made to stabilize him, in the end to no avail and Rudy passed away surrounded by friends who loved him from the moment they saw him. We decided to help the sanctuary with the additional bills they had not anticipated and paid this out of the Pumpkin Fund. The other extensive costs associated with Rudy and Smeagle’s treatment was covered by our operational budget.
Please help by making an on-line donation or sending a cheque to the Society directed to “The Pumpkin Fund” or donate to the “General Fund” and help keep our Shelter Medicine Practice viable. No amount is too small to be of assistance.
