FURRY FRIENDS FOSTER & RESCUE, INC.

MEDICAL FUND 2023

When our rescue was founded, in February, 2014, our mission was defined as helping thHe animals who need us the most – those with medical issues, needing more than the normal vetting that all responsible rescues do for the animals in their care; those in imminent danger of euthanasia; and those needing training/behavior modification.

The past year has been a struggle for our rescue financially. Our medical fund is empty, and has been for this entire year. We remain committed to providing our dogs with the best medical care available, and we have a number of dogs in our rescue with chronic medical conditions. We are in urgent need of your help to cover the cost of their care, and to chart a path forward.

London is a hospice dog who came to us well over 2 years ago. When she was rescued - originally by another rescue - she had an intestinal blockage. When she had surgery for that, it was discovered that she has degenerative liver disease and was not expected to live more than a few months. We agreed to a transfer into our rescue. London has surprised all of us! She requires a prescription diet, multiple medications and supplements, and subcutaneous fluids several times a week - and her liver function is only 10% - but she is active and energetic, and still able to enjoy life! We are committed to doing all that London needs medically, for as long as her quality of life remains good.

Maggie came into the rescue about 2 years ago. She had chronic, untreated ear infections that defied treatment with medication and required major surgery. She had both of her ear canals removed - she is now deaf but no longer suffers the pain of ears that were so infected that they repeatedly abscessed. She was also left with some minor neurological issues following the surgery - she walks a bit awkwardly and her head tilts a bit. More recently, she has developed vestibular syndrome. Maggie also has severe allergies that cause chronic skin issues. She requires a prescription diet, and medication to control outbreaks of rash, irritation, and infection of her skin. Maggie is a hospice dog in the rescue. At 11 years old, we will provide all the good care we can as long as she is enjoying life.

Rosey is a dog who has been a part of our lives at FFFR since 2015. She was adopted but came back to us in 2018 when her family broke up and neither of her owners could keep her. In the time she has been back with us, Rosey has had surgery to repair ACL tears in both legs, a torn meniscus, a growth on her foot, and, most recently, had a splenectomy because of a mass on her spleen. Aside from all of that, she has serious allergies which cause chronic skin issues. Skin issues are kept controlled by a prescription diet and medications.

Brady came back to the rescue very recently. He was one of the first dogs we took in when we opened the rescue in 2014. Now, almost 10 years later, Brady is back with us as a result of a large animal cruelty investigation. He’s about 15 years old and is a hospice case, with multiple serious medical issues. When he was first taken out of the home by animal control, he was one of 3 dogs who went straight to the vet hospital and stayed there for some time because of his condition. He was severely dehydrated, emaciated, and pretty non-responsive. He bounced back a bit - we had contacted animal control and let them know we wanted him back as soon as we could find a foster. Thankfully, he is with an absolutely amazing, dedicated, experienced medical foster. We’re so grateful to her! Brady tested positive for both Lyme Disease and anaplasmosis and was treated with antibiotics for them. He has severe osteoarthritis and spondylosis (a deteriorating condition of the spine). He also has been in kidney failure. He seems to be responding to a combination of daily subcutaneous fluids, prescription food, and a phosphate binder. He is on anti-inflammatory medication and pain medication for the arthritis and spondylosis. He also has some worrisome neurological symptoms that may need to be evaluated once we see if we can get him stabilized from the kidney failure. He is also blind and deaf, and has considerable weakness in his hind end and hind legs.

All of the other dogs in the rescue also require medical care that is, although less costly, nonetheless necessary - not to mention that, as all pet owners know, emergencies invariably come up and we must be prepared for that.

As a result, we have been unable to take on more. We did not intake any new dogs in 2022 - we must be able to provide reliably for our current dogs before we can make a commitment to others.

Right now … today … we need YOUR help to be able to continue to fulfill our mission.

Several years ago we started a fund dedicated to medical care. Our goal each year is to raise $40,000, all of which will be set aside specifically to provide medical care for dogs who need us!

Until we can replenish that fund, we cannot continue to rescue. We absolutely must have funding to cover the cost of care for the dogs already in the rescue, before we can rescue more.

Please join us in our mission!  Your donations will make ALL the difference to these dogs!  Help us to ease suffering, heal their injuries, restore their health – which will, in turn, allow us to find them wonderful forever homes.

You can donate using your debit or credit card by clicking on the “Donate” button below.  You can also mail donations to us at the following address: Furry Friends Foster & Rescue, Inc., .PO Box 388, Milford CT 06460. None of us can do this alone.  Together, we can make a real difference to dogs in need.  It always takes a village!