Every year, Fur Kids Foundation sets aside some money to help local shelters with pets in need. In February 2016, our dedicated case managers on the Application Committee chose to help Tula, who is currently at There’s No Place Like Home.
For those of you who follow There’s No Place Like home on Facebook, you know that Tula has been dealt with a few hard blows in her young life. She had a mouth full of bad teeth that caused an infection and resulted in extensive dental work being done to help her feel better. She was also diagnosed with severe diabetes that is has been puzzling the vets. Diabetes is a disease that is often found in older and overweight cats. Similar to the disease in humans, diabetes prevents the body from producing enough insulin to balance blood sugar (or glucose) levels in cats. Cats with diabetes will show the following signs or symptoms:
Right now, Tula’s blood sugar levels will go from 520 mg/dL and then drastically drop to 40 mg/dL—a normal blood sugar reading for a cat should be between 120-300 mg/dL. The vets have had Tula on a variety of insulin formulas trying to determine the one that works. Currently, the insulin that seems to be working is very expensive. As you can see, There’s No Place Like Home is working hard to get Tula healthy. Fur Kids Foundation has pledged $200 to help with this—those interested in donating to help Tula, or any of There’s No Place Like Home cats, may do so at Red Hills Veterinary Hospital. Hopefully, once the vets find an insulin that works, and are able to get her on the right diet to keep her on track, Tula will be able to find a loving home of her own. However, she will always be a cat with special needs. If you are interested in adopting a cat with diabetes, please consult with a veterinarian ahead of time to learn about their dietary and medical needs. To read more about diabetes in cats, please check out the following websites:
If you would like to help Fur Kids Foundation continue to help families with animals, please consider making a tax-deductible donation. The money helps families during a time when they may not be able to afford adequate veterinary care. Check out more Success Stories.
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 Robynn Nehl!
A huge shout out to Robynn Nehl who sported the FKF Olaf costume and handed out flyers about the Foundation during Gillette Main Street Ice Fest on February 20. Robynn took a few hours out of her busy weekend to support the Foundation, and we are so appreciative of it. We also wish to congratulate Robynn on the birth of her beautiful baby girl Kaisley Jade. We're excited and happy for you and Grant and our newest junior volunteer! And, for those who don't know, Robynn is also a dog groomer on the weekends, and she does a wonderful job at it as well. You can get her contact information on the FKF Pet Grooming page. Without volunteer support, the board would not have been able to participate in this event. Your support greatly helps the Foundation with it's mission. Please know that we appreciate any time that you can give us. We are truly grateful for your continued support. In February, Fur Kids Foundation had seven families apply for assistance, and we were able to help six of those families—for a total of $1,217.23 given in aid. Below is a rundown of the cases we provided assistance to:
Your dedication to this Foundation helped these families stay happy and healthy, and together! When you volunteer at an event, or help us raise money, these families are who you are helping. Thank you again for all that you do for the Foundation, and for families in Campbell County, Wyoming.  This is Pepper. Pepper’s new parents took her in after learning about her unfortunate housing situation -- she was kept outside because she was always going piddle in the house.
Often, when a fur kid loses bladder control, it can frustrate a pet parent. Some may think the dog has a behavioral issue because they are going potty in the house when they have been trained not to; however, it could be a medical condition called incontinence, which can often be treated with medication, or can be a sign of a more serious condition. Urinary incontinence occurs when a house-trained dog loses control of its bladder at unexpected times, such as at night when your pup is sleeping or when your dog is inside while you’re at work. This can be an occasional small urine leak, to a large amount that makes their bed soaked with urine. It can afflict dogs of any age, breed or gender; however, it’s more commonly seen in older, spayed female dogs. As a dog ages, its urethral muscles that help your pet hold its bladder weaken. For female dogs, it can also be due to lower estrogen levels, which can lead to a loss of muscle tone in the bladder area as well. Urinary incontinence can be a symptom of a bladder infection, diabetes, kidney disease, or even a ruptured or bulging disc. All of which are serious health issues that require a vet to diagnose and treat properly. If your pet has suddenly started urinating in areas where they typically have not done in the past, it’s best to reach out to your vet and schedule an appointment. Again, depending on what is causing the incontinence, it can likely be cured, or at least controlled with medication -- both holistic and prescribed, so be sure to ask your vet about the options. At the vet visit, be prepared to answer questions such as:
In Pepper’s situation, she has been given some medication to help with her bladder control issues, and her health is improving daily. We’ve also learned that she’s gone from being outside 24/7, to spending a large amount of time in a garage, to now spending time with her new family in their house. We're happy to report that she’s quite happy to be a loved member of a new pack. Again, Fur Kids Foundation encourages you not to reprimand your dog when they have a bout with incontinence. Believe us when we say it’s just as upsetting to your dog as it is to you. Please consider scheduling an appointment with your vet first to rule out any health issues. For more information on incontinence, please check out the articles below.
 Karolyn, Tiffany, Megan and Linda As you know, Fur Kids Foundation participated in the Council of Community Services Day of Hope, held the last Wednesday in January. This event put us in contact with people in our community who may benefit from our services, but may not know about the Foundation.
We are very grateful for the support of volunteers Karolyn Chambers, Tiffany Sylvester, Megan Taylor, and Linda Tufvesson, as well as board members Cody Friedlan and Felicia Messimer. At this event, we handed out more than 30 brochures to families who can benefit from our support, and we were also told that we could have brochures available at the Council's Food Pantry as well as Campbell County Public Health, which will get our information into more hands who may benefit from our support. Without volunteer support, the board would not have been able to participate in this event. Your support greatly helps the Foundation with it's mission. Please know that we appreciate any time that you can give us. We are truly grateful for your continued support. In January, Fur Kids Foundation had nine families apply for assistance, and we were able to help seven of those families—for a total of $1,805.41 given in aid. Below is a rundown of the cases we provided assistance to:
We are grateful for the dedication of Fur Kids Foundation volunteers and supporters who have helped these families stay happy and healthy, and together! When you volunteer or attend an event, or help us raise money by supporting the businesses who support us with promotions, these families are who you are helping. Thank you again for all that you do for the Foundation, and for families in Campbell County, Wyoming. If you would like to help Fur Kids Foundation continue to help families with animals, please consider making a tax-deductible donation. The money helps families during a time when they may not be able to afford adequate veterinary care. Check out more Success Stories. |
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Created in November 2011, the Fur Kids Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides education and aid to promote the well-being of animals in Campbell County.
Your donation saves lives. It goes to work helping animals in Campbell County receive adequate veterinary care during a time when their family may not be able to afford it. Please contact the Foundation to learn more or donate now using PayPal.
AuthorThe Fur Kids Foundation blog is written by board member and Founder Felicia. If you have ideas that you would like to see published in the blog such as concerns about pet-focused topics in the community or a funny story, please contact the Foundation. Enjoy! Archives
January 2019
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