Quote:
Originally Posted by Calidreemer
Hi Everyone - I know this forum has tons of smart people who are actively involved in rescue and who are bully breed advocates. I volunteer for a small pitbull rescue in Illinois that is in desperate need of help. I just got an urgent plea from one of my co-volunteers regarding a dog that was adopted out from the rescue to a family and now that family wants to give the dog back due to medical issues. The dog has an ACL problem and luxating patellas. The rescue cannot afford to pay for surgery and they have asked me to find a grant and write for funding. Unfortunately that takes time and this dog is coming back to us in 14 days and not only does the rescue not have the 4K+ for his surgery, we don't have a foster for him at this time. Any ideas, resources, vets, outside the box ideas etc you have to help him get the cost of medical care covered would be so helpful! We are desparate. Feel free to send me a private message if you would rather not share your resource(s) on the forum. Thanks in advance! I know the dog lovers on this forum wont let me or the dog down!!!!
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Some of this you may already have considered, but if not, here goes.
Question: Does the dog need immediate surgery? Talk to the vet who did the diagnosis and find out. If the issue can be managed medically for a short time that will give you time to arrange funding. Another opinion may be in order.
Will the owners keep the dog in their home under a temporary foster agreement until funds are available? You can offer to pay for food and ongoing medical care if they can provide physical care. They were invested enough in the dog to adopt it so they may agree to this plan if you explain the circumstances.
Some subsidized services are more often available to the owner of an affected pet, so these options should be investigated BEFORE the dog is surrendered to you. Any and all options to keep the dog in the home should be exhausted before taking the dog back.
Can the owners fund the surgery through a Care Card or other financing?
Have you asked the owners if they can afford to share some of the cost?
Does the SPCA have any programs that would subsidize some of the cost for the owner?
If none of the above turn out to be options, here's some things we have done in similar circumstances:
Contact local vet schools. The U of I has a hospital. Perhaps they have a program that would help. Many provide low or no cost procedures that are done by students under vet supervision. Complication rates can be higher but all costs & aftercare are generally covered.
Contact other local rescue groups to find out if they have vets who would donate or substantially discount services. Larger groups and Pit Only groups may help.
Hold a dog-specific fundraising appeal. Publicize the plight of the dog. Get a newspaper or dog-related publication to help with publicity.
Finance the surgery yourselves. This isn't the best option because it pulls resources from helping the many other dogs that need your services. The resource allocation issue is one reason why keeping the dog in the adoptive home is the best alternative.
I wish you luck. This is a tough situation to be in and I commend you for doing what you can to help the dog and the owner. The type of commitment you are showing makes all of us in Rescue very proud!
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Pitbull Mix Needs Resources - Can You Help?
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