Fur Kids Foundation Pack News Blog

Photo contest in full swing!

6/26/2017

Fur Kids Foundation's Pet Calendar Photo Contest is in full swing! To date, we have 55 entries and have raised $828 of our $2,500 goal!

Our entries this year are quite diverse: we have birds, cats and kittens, cattle, chickens, dogs, ducks, horses, and more! We have way more dogs than we have cats, though—so, if you know someone with a cat or kitten, please encourage them to enter. We encourage you to share your pet’s photo with your family and friends via email, or on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and any other social site you are on. Remember, votes are only $1 each, and are tax deductible!

Participants can purchase a “save a day” for $10 and guarantee to have their pet’s photos in the calendar on a specific day. So, if your pet loves a certain holiday, or if you want to celebrate your pet’s birthday or “gotcha day”, this is a wonderful option for you. And, you can even pre-order our 2018 Pet Calendar during the contest, which helps us know how many extra calendars to order!

And check out what you can win for helping Fur Kids Foundation raise money:

Grand Prize: The participant with the most votes/funds raised will have their photo featured on the cover of the 2018 Fur Kids Foundation Pet Calendar, as well as select one month inside the calendar. Grand Prize winner will also select a HURTTA leash with a collar or harness.
Second Prize: The participant with the second most votes/funds raised may select one month to be featured in the 2018 Fur Kids Foundation Pet Calendar. Second Prize winner will also select a HURTTA leash or collar or harness.
Third Prize: The participant with the third most votes/funds raised may select a HURTTA collar. This individual will also be featured in the 2018 Fur Kids Foundation Pet Calendar.
Remaining Month Winners: The participants who raised the most money after the third prize winner will be selected for proper placement in our 2018 Pet Calendar – one large picture for each participant on one month.
Bonus: Any participant who raised more than $200 will be given a FREE 2018 Fur Kids Foundation Pet Calendar.

Proceeds from this contest allows Fur Kids Foundation to help Campbell County, Wyoming families with pets afford emergency veterinary care. Since September 2012, Fur Kids Foundation has helped more than 405 families in Campbell County, Wyoming and granted more than $62,400 in aid. In 2017 alone, we’ve helped more than 35 families, and granted more than $5,200 in aid. All of this money is raised at fundraisers like this Pet Calendar Photo Contest. This year we’ve helped Bandit, a puppy who accidentally ate a bottle of Ibuprofen; Charlie Grace, a kitten with an upset tummy; and Sasha, a pup who was poisoned in her yard--and many others. All of these families were able to help their pet get better and stay with the family because of Fur Kids Foundation—and all of that was due to your support.

Please help us reach our goal of $2,500 for this fundraiser: http://www.gogophotocontest.com/fkf. The contest ends July 22!

You can learn more about Fur Kids Foundation, and check out the other events we are hosting, at www.furkidsfoundation.org.

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Success Story: Jade

6/23/2017

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Jade is a 12-year-old cat who is very special to her mom—she’s an emotional support animal for her mom.

Lately, Jade’s mom noticed that she wasn’t eating, and it seemed like something was bothering her in her mouth. This made Jade’s mom worry about her pet, so she took her to the vet, where they found some abscessed teeth.

While cat’s may not be able to meow to you about a toothache, there are some signs to look for if your pet has some dental disease. These include:

Bad breath. Despite the popular belief that cats breath smells fishy, it’s really not a good thing if Kitty’s breath is foul smelling.
Eating funny. If your cat is dropping a lot of food while she eats, or seems to only chew on one side of her mouth, that’s a sign of pain.
Decreased interest in food (just like what Jade’s mom noticed). If your cat isn’t showing as much interest in her food as normal, this is a sign of pain in the mouth.
Grooming less often.
Reluctance to be touched around the mouth.
Excessive drooling. If you’ve noticed Pepe is drooling a lot, or if there is blood in the drool, that is a sign of dental disease.
Pawing their mouth, or shaking their head more than usual, which is a sign of pain.

If you see these symptoms, try to lift your cat’s lip up (if she’ll let you), and see if there is some yellow-brown gunk on her teeth, which is tartar buildup. Also look for red gums, which shows your cat has inflamed gums or gingivitis. All are signs that your cat likely needs a teeth cleaning at the vet’s office. Regular dental cleanings with your vet are a great way to keep your cat’s mouth healthy, which will allow you to enjoy many happy years together.

Jade’s mom is unable to work due to a stroke, and she’s also going through a divorce. With a limited income, she was very worried about how she was going to be able to afford the care Jade needed. She was happy to hear she could apply to receive some financial help with Fur Kids Foundation! We helped cover the cost of pulling the teeth that were causing the problem for Jade, and have learned that Jade is feeling much better now!

Fur Kids Foundation is grateful for the dedication of our volunteers and supporters who have helped local families stay happy and healthy, and together! If you would like to help Fur Kids Foundation continue to help families in Campbell County, Wyoming 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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Success Story: Groot

6/23/2017

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Meet Groot. He’s not the superhero in the Marvel Comics, but we have a sneaky suspicion he may have been named after him.

This Groot is a 6-month-old pit bull/German shepherd mix, and is his papa’s favorite outdoor buddy. Unfortunately, after spending a day in the Great Outdoors, Groot came home with a bad cut on his foot. (Groot’s dad thinks that Groot may have picked a fight with some barbed wire, and the barbed wire won.)

Groot’s dad was working for an oil company, but when his hours were cut he left the company and returned to Gillette to find work. He’s currently living with roommates and working temporary jobs while trying to find full-time work.

The cut on Groot's foot was bad, but due to his financial situation, his dad thought he would try to super glue it shut and wrap it, which didn’t work. So, he applied with Fur Kids Foundation and took Groot to the vet.

If you pup has an injury to their paw, they may limp or the paw may bleed. Signs of an infection in your dog’s paw include:
•   Red or puffy paw pads
•   Your dog doesn’t want to put pressure or walk on the paw
•   Your dog is running a fever
•   Your dog is panting more than usual, which is a sign of pain
•   Your dog pulls his paw away when you try to touch it, or isn’t as cooperative as normal – again, shows that your dog is in pain.

If the paw is really red and swollen, or you say to yourself, “If this were my foot/hand, I’d go to the doctor,” it’s time to take Fido to the vet. Also, if the cut won’t stop bleeding, it’s very important that you do take your dog to the vet. Dogs have arteries in their paw pads, and excessive bleeding is a sign that the artery has been nicked.

For minor cuts, check out some basic first aid tips below, or watch the video:

Clean the wound under cool water and gently remove any debris
If there is a lot of bleeding, apply pressure to the wound with a clean towel to help control it.
Once the bleeding has stopped, apply an antibacterial ointment, or solution, like Neosporin.
Then, cover the wound with a bandage that must be changed daily.

To avoid foot injuries, make sure that you are familiar with the places that your dog plays and walks. While you’re out with your pet, pay attention to the path you are on – watch for glass shards or even ice (as ice can be as sharp as glass), pieces of metal and other sharp objects, and try to remove them when possible. Also, please avoid taking your pet on walks on hot sidewalks in the summer. And, in the winter, you can help to protect your dog’s paws with booties or even some balms, available at most pet stores. Remember, if you wouldn’t walk barefoot in a certain area, neither should your dog.

Groot received a round of antibiotics, a few stitches, and left the vet clinic with his head held low because he was sporting the dreaded cone of shame. But, we're sure he's back to enjoying the outdoors with his dad.

Fur Kids Foundation is grateful for the dedication of our volunteers and supporters who have helped local families stay happy and healthy, and together! If you would like to help Fur Kids Foundation continue to help families in Campbell County, Wyoming 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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Fun Walk raises nearly $600

6/6/2017

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Thank you to everyone who came out to support Fur Kids Foundation’s first Fast and the FURriest Fun Walk! The Foundation is pleased to say that nearly $600 was raised during the event and more than 40 pet lovers walked around Dalbey Memorial Park with us to help kick off Pet Appreciation Week, which takes place June 4-10. Please check out our PAW videos featuring participants who told us what they appreciated most about their pet during the event below. And, be sure to browse through the photos taken on our Facebook page, and tag your friends if you see them!

We are also pleased to say that these pet lovers helped us make the park cleaner by scooping nearly 15 pounds of dog poo! We love making the parks in Gillette, Wyoming cleaner than when we found them. We gave away some fun HURTTA prizes to attendees and enjoyed loving up on all the dogs.

Fur Kids Foundation is grateful for the dedication of our volunteers and supporters who have helped local families stay happy and healthy, and together! Since September 2012, Fur Kids Foundation has helped more than 405 families, and granted more than $62,400 in emergency veterinary care. If you would like to help Fur Kids Foundation continue to help families in Campbell County, Wyoming, please consider making a tax-deductible donation.

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Success Story: Winona 2017

6/2/2017

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Meet Winona, an itty bitty teeny weeny chiweenie.

Winona’s mom was getting her medications together for her pain management appointment, and she accidentally dropped some pills on the floor—and like a true naughty 12-week-old puppy, Winona gobbled them up as quickly as she could. Her mom knew that Winona would have to be rushed to the vet.

Dogs affected by drug poisoning may show the following signs:

Abdominal pain
Excessive salivation
Lack of coordination
Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Vomiting

An immediate first aid option for dog owners who know that their pet has ingested some medication is to try to induce vomiting with a simple 3% hydrogen peroxide solution of one teaspoon per five pounds of body weight, with no more than three teaspoons given at once (even if your dog weighs more than 45 pounds).

Please note: This method should only be used if the drug has been ingested in the previous two hours, and should only be given three times, spaced apart at 15-minute intervals. If your dog has not vomited after the third dose, do not do anything further to try to induce vomiting. Do not use anything stronger than hydrogen peroxide without your veterinarian's advice. If your dog has already vomited, do not try to force more vomiting. And, do not induce vomiting if you dog is having trouble breathing, is unconscious or is showing serious distress. After the initial care, bring your dog to the vet for necessary further treatment.

Luckily, Winona reached the vet in time and they were able to push fluids through her and have her vomit up the pills.

Winona’s mom is currently on disability, which is just enough for her to cover her living expenses and day to day pet expenses, but not much more. She reached out to Fur Kids Foundation to help, and we were happy to assist.

Fur Kids Foundation is grateful for the dedication of our volunteers and supporters who have helped local families stay happy and healthy, and together! If you would like to help Fur Kids Foundation continue to help families in Campbell County, Wyoming 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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Fur Kids Foundation May 2017 Volunteer of the Month

6/2/2017

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From Left: Fawna Bartow, with her sister Tiffany Sylvester, at the 2016 Pet-A-Palooza!

Fawna Bartow

The Fur Kids Foundation board of directors want to give a huge shout out to Fawna Bartow as the May 2017 Volunteer of the Month!

Fawna officially joined our pack in August 2016, but she (and her kiddos) had been volunteering with us at previous events. Fawna is a great help when Fur Kids Foundation is asked to sit at booths at trade shows or at Petco. She is also always eager to sign herself (and her kiddos) up to help us during events such as Pooch Plunge and Pet-A-Palooza. This year, she was part of the committee who helped the Foundation organize our first Fast and the FURriest Fun Walk, and even disguised herself as a poop fairy in our video to help promote the event!

Fawna is always sharing information about the Foundation on her Facebook page, and helping to hang up flyers to get the word out about our upcoming events as well. And, we genuinely appreciate her effort to help us attract new volunteers to help us.

Fawna’s sister, Tiffany Sylvester, is also a volunteer with Fur Kids Foundation, who has also been a Volunteer of the Month. Clearly, this family likes to give back to their community by volunteering! Fawna, we greatly appreciate your hard work to help us promote and organize our events. We are grateful that you joined our pack!

We’re always posting how paw-some our volunteers are, and we sincerely mean it. If you have seen a volunteer go above and beyond, please contact us!

Did you know that Fur Kids Foundation is a 100% volunteer ran organization? We're able to help sweet animals and their families because of the dedication of our volunteers who plan and work fundraisers, promote the organization and support our community. Our volunteers are our heroes. If you are interested in learning how you can help us help more animals in Campbell County, Wyoming, please complete our application online or email Fur Kids Foundation at volunteerfkf@gmail.com.

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May 2017 Fur Kids Foundation Case UpdatE

6/2/2017

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In May 2017, Fur Kids Foundation had seven families apply for assistance, and we were able to help three of those families—for a total of $990.48 given in aid. In 2017, we have given $5,184.80 to families in Campbell County, Wyoming to pay for emergency veterinary care. Below is a rundown of the cases we provided assistance to in May:

a dog who was trampled by another dog in the family
a dog who was treated for breast cancer
a dog who ate her hooman's pain pills

Fur Kids Foundation board members want you to know that the best way to prevent breast cancer in female dogs is to spay them. By doing this, dog owners can practically eliminate the chances of their dog developing mammary cancer—just another benefit of spaying your pooch!

To learn more about our application process, please check out our Application for Assistance, and be sure to check out our Terms of Assistance near the bottom of the application. You may also call and speak with any of our Case Managers about the process at 307.363.1131 or email furkidsfoundation@gmail.com.

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, attend an event, or help us raise money by supporting the businesses that support us with promotions, these families and pets are who you are helping. Thank you again for all that you do for the Foundation, and for families with pets in Campbell County, Wyoming.

Please take a minute to check out our Success Stories and read more about the families with pets that we help. The Fur Kids Foundation board of directors work very hard to make sure that the majority of the money we raise helps local families; in 2016, more than 75% of the money we have raised was spent on emergency veterinary care. Please consider a donation to help Fur Kids Foundation continue to help families stay healthy and happy in Campbell County, Wyoming.

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Success Story: Sasha 2017

6/2/2017

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Allow us to introduce you to Sasha, an energetic 3-year-old pit bull who is dearly loved by her family.

On May 31, 2017, Sasha’s mom came home to find Sasha jumping and snapping at nothing in the air; and then she noticed large amounts of vomit in their back yard. While her mom was walking around the yard, she found a large piece of raw hamburger with a white powdery substance in it. It dawned on Sasha’s mom that something wasn’t right.

Sasha was rushed into the vet clinic where the vet confirmed that Sasha was poisoned, but they didn’t know with what. The symptoms of a poisoned pet depend upon the type of poison they are exposed to. Signs may include:

Abnormal behavior
Black, tarry stool or blood in the stool
Changes in urination – either decreased/absent, or excessive
Diarrhea
Discolored gums
Drooling
Excessive thirst
Loss of appetite or excessive thirst
Loss of consciousness or struggling to breath
Nosebleeds
Nausea and vomiting
Seizures
Weakness/lethargy

If your pet is suffering from one, or more, of these signs, do exactly what Sasha’s mom did and take them to the vet immediately.

Sasha was kept overnight at the clinic to have fluids pumped through her, and we’re relieved to say that she’s making a full recovery. Sasha's mom is a single parent of three girls and is only able to work part time. She did not have anywhere near the money to help pay for the vet care, so she reached out to Fur Kids Foundation for help.

This family is aware that Sasha barks a lot, as they have had complaints about the dog barking. Sasha’s mom has been working with animal control on ways to prevent Sasha from barking as much, and she's been getting better. Her mom doesn't know if the person who gave Sasha the poison was upset about her barking, but wishes if that were the case they would have visited with her. She has three young children and can't imagine what would have happened had one of her daughters found the poison first. You can read more about Sasha's story in the June 2 Gillette News Record article, Police pursue person who poisoned pup.

If you know or suspect your dog is poisoned, Fur Kids Foundation board members encourage you to collect the remaining poison or any other substances involved, such as stool or vomit—this evidence can help your vet identify the type of poison that has affected your dog. Then, call your vet, and Animal Control, 307.686.5249, or law enforcement agency – if you're in the City of Gillette, call the Police Department at 307.682.5155; Campbell County, call the Sheriff's Office at 307.682.7271.

If your pet is ever a victim of animal cruelty, or if you ever witness an act of cruelty, please call Animal Control at 307.686.5249. Cruelty has no place in our community. No place.

Fur Kids Foundation is grateful for the dedication of our volunteers and supporters who have helped local families stay happy and healthy, and together! If you would like to help Fur Kids Foundation continue to help families in Campbell County, Wyoming 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.

Reported in the Blotter in the Gillette News Record on June 1: A dog is being treated by a veterinarian after it was poisoned by eating a meatball laced with some substance on Wednesday afternoon, Police Lt. Chuck Deaton said. No other information on the dog or case was available and the investigation continues. If you have any information about this case, please call Animal Control at 307.686.5249.

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Photo contest in full swing!

Success Story: Jade

Success Story: Groot

Fun Walk raises nearly $600

Success Story: Winona 2017

Fur Kids Foundation May 2017 Volunteer of the Month

May 2017 Fur Kids Foundation Case UpdatE

Success Story: Sasha 2017

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