This cute little sucker is George, who happens to be a 7-year-old corgi mix. A little while ago, George was throwing up and had loose stools, so his mom brought him into the vet. His mom was given some medication to give him, and told to keep an eye on him and return if his symptoms didn’t improve.
Unfortunately, after a few days, George wasn't getting any better, so his mom brought George back to the vet where they found two pieces of plastic in his stomach. George needed surgery to remove the obstruction in his stomach and/or intestines, what a vet may refer to as a gastrointestinal obstruction. This condition is very serious and can be life threatening because it blocks the flow of nutrients into and out of the body. This is something veterinarians will tell you that they see quite often with dogs because they have a bad habit of eating pretty much everything. Signs that your dog may have a blockage includes vomiting (especially after eating), not wanting to eat, weakness, diarrhea, and weight loss. George’s mom is on disability (a very limited income), and was already having troubles paying for the first visit, so she applied with Fur Kids Foundation to receive help with George’s emergency veterinary care. We were very happy to help. 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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 Meet Rex. This 3-year-old Shiba Inu mix is having a bit of an identity crisis--Rex here seems to believe that he's part goat.
Rex’s mom came home to find that this pooch had eaten their dining room curtains and some of their carpet. Rex’s belly was hurting (obviously), and he threw some of it up so his parents thought that he was in the clear, until he stopped eating and his belly began to expand. His mom then rushed Rex to the vet, where they were told Rex would need emergency surgery to save his life. While Rex was in surgery, the vet not only found the curtains and carpet, but what looked like jeans and a lot of grass. In all, Rex had nearly two pounds of household items in his belly! Rex was suffering from a blockage in his stomach and intestines from all the items that he ate, what a vet may refer to as a gastrointestinal obstruction. This condition is very serious and can be life threatening because it blocks the flow of nutrients into and out of the body. This is something veterinarians will tell you that they see quite often with dogs because they have a bad habit of eating pretty much everything. Signs that your dog may have a blockage includes vomiting (especially after eating), not wanting to eat, weakness, diarrhea, and weight loss. Rex comes from a family of four, and his parents have been working through some of their own medical issues. Rex’s mom only works part time, and his father’s hours have recently been cut. The family applied for help with Fur Kids Foundation, and we were happy to help. Aside from feeling a little crummy after surgery, Rex's mom said that Rex is making a full recovery, and that they are going to start kenneling him when they're not home. They also plan to have a discussion with him to let him know he is only a dog, not part goat. 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.  A huge thank you to everyone who participated in Fur Kids Foundation's 2018 Pet Calendar Photo Contest. There were 71 entries this year, and you helped us raise $3,544! We beat last year's photo contest amount raised ($3,400), and smashed our $2,500 goal. Thank you so much for your generosity.
Pictured are the pets who are in the Top 14! We had two beautiful pets raise $615 each for their pets -- Belle and Emma! They each will be featured on the cover of our 2018 Pet Calendar, will receive a page inside featuring them, and will get the grand prize: select a HURTTA leash with a collar or harness. The beagles Cooper and Beatrix, who raised $205, will be featured in the calendar, and their owner also gets to select a HURTTA leash or collar or harness. And, the beautiful Klover, who raised $200, will be featured in the calendar, and her owner can select a HURTTA collar. Other pets featured in the calendar include:
Thanks again for helping us raise money to help families with pets in Campbell County Wyoming afford emergency veterinary care! Stay tuned to our website for details on when the calendars will be available to purchase.  Meet Louie, an 11-year-old Yorkshire Terrier who, along with typical signs of aging, wasn't feeling well. Louie’s mom brought him into the vet initially with eye problems, but a week later Louie wasn’t acting like his usual self, so she brought him back to the vet. During some tests, they determined that poor Louie had pancreatitis. Symptoms of a pancreatitis include:
For those who don't know, the pancreas is an organ near the stomach that helps digest food and controls the amount of sugar that is released into the blood. When the pancreas becomes inflamed, it’s called a pancreatitis. The causes of a pancreatitis can be from a fatty meal, like bacon grease or table scraps. Other triggers could be caused by a side effect to a drug, or after surgery. Older pets seem to be more prone to this disease, and if your pet is overweight or has diabetes, they may have a harder time getting over an attack. Typically, pets can recover from mild cases, but severe cases can lead to death. If your dog shows any of those symptoms, or if the symptoms pass and return from time to time, be sure to take him to the vet to get checked out. To diagnose your pet, the vet will likely do blood tests to see what is causing your pup to feel yucky, and may do an ultrasound to see an image of what’s going on in the body. Dogs typically recover from minor cases of pancreatitis, but if it’s more severe it can be life threatening. With a mild case of pancreatitis, the vet will likely prescribe medication and a low-fat diet for your pooch; if the case is severe, your pet may need to spend a few days at the clinic getting some extra fluids pumped into him. Unfortunately, Louie did have to stay a few nights at the vet and was given some medicine to help him feel better. Staying overnight at the vet’s office can be quite expensive for any family. And Louie’s mom is only receiving Social Security Disability, and had already paid more than $200 for his eye issues, so she needed help with his care. She reached out to Fur Kids Foundation, and we were happy to help. With some medication and a new low-fat diet (and no table scraps), Louie is well on his road to recovery. 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.  This droopy eyed little nugget is Copper, a 5 month-old Basset Hound. Not only is he a member of the family, he's also an emotional support dog for his mom to help with her anxiety issues.
Recently, Copper’s parents noticed that he was acting differently—he was pacing and it seemed like he was having a hard time getting comfortable. They could tell that their adorable pup wasn’t feel well. While at the vet’s office, they learned that Copper had a foreign body compacted in his stomach and that he had bloated. The vet had to do emergency surgery to save Copper's life. Bloat is a very serious health risk for many dogs, yet too few dog owners know about it. Bloat happens when a dog’s stomach fills with food, fluid or gas that makes it expand. This will cause the stomach to put pressure on other organs, which can cause dangerous problems, such as: • No blood flow to his heart and stomach lining • A tear in the wall of his stomach • A harder time breathing In some cases, the dog's stomach will rotate or twist, a condition that vets call gastric dilatation volvulus. This traps blood in the stomach and blocks it from returning to the heart and other areas of the body, which can send your dog into shock. Vet’s aren’t exactly sure what can cause bloat, but they do have some risks:
Bloat is often reported in deep-chested dogs like German Shepherds, Great Danes, and Dobermans; however, Basset Hounds are well-known to have issues with it. It’s very important to note that bloat can kill your beloved pet, so if you see any of the following symptoms in your dog, bring them to the vet immediately: • Acting restless, pacing or having a hard time getting comfortable • Drooling • Have a swollen or bloated abdomen that may feel tight – like a drum • Frequent attempts to vomit unsuccessfully • Hunched up appearance • Licking the air • May attempt to eat grass, stones or twigs During surgery, the vet found that the compaction was a big wad of grass. Copper’s parents aren’t sure if he ate too much grass causing the compaction then leading to the bloat, or if he ate a lot of grass because he was uncomfortable from bloating, but they’re happy he’s alive and well. Emergency surgery isn’t easy for any pet parent to cover, but Copper’s mom recently had a baby and is on maternity leave. Because she had some medical issues during the pregnancy, she hasn’t been cleared to go back to work yet, so Copper’s dad is the only income for the family right now. They reached out to Fur Kids Foundation, and we were happy to help. 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.
Sheba is a 3-month-old Bengal kitty who lives in a house full of children, which she loves. One evening, Sheba’s mom noticed that she wasn't moving around a lot and acted uncomfortable. Earlier that night, Sheba had jumped off of the counter, so her mom thought that she may have pulled a muscle.
Cats often hide their pain so telltale signs can often be subtle. Signs to look for include:
It’s important to note that your cat’s pain is serious business and often requires medical treatment. Sheba’s mom took it seriously by keeping a close watch on her, and when she noticed that Sheba wasn't getting better, she took her to the vet and learned that Sheba had actually broken her femur (leg bone)! Sheba’s family isn’t sure if she broke it by jumping off of the counter, or if she hurt herself while playing—after all, her favorite activity is jumping on the bed with the kiddos! Sheba comes from a one-income family, and her dad has just gone back to work—so, this veterinary bill came at an unexpected time. Fur Kids Foundation was happy to help get Sheba’s leg patched up so she could go back to being her crazy kitten self. 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. GILLETTE, WY—July 12, 2017--Local charity Fur Kids Foundation has a variety of fundraisers taking place this summer to help the organization raise money to help families with the costs of emergency veterinary care.
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 families with animals in Campbell County, Wyoming. Since September 2012, Fur Kids Foundation has helped 418 families and granted more than $66,600 in emergency veterinary aid. For more information, or to read the blog, visit www.furkidsfoundation.org. Find Fur Kids Foundation on www.facebook.com/furkidsfoundation. Follow us on Twitter, @furkidswyo. For Immediate Release Contact: Felicia Messimer furkidsfoundation@gmail.com 307.363.1131  There are 60 adorable pets entered into our Pet Calendar Photo Contest, and more than $1,210 raised to date! We have to say thank you so much for the generosity.
If you’ve got a pooch with pizzazz, a cat with style, or any other glamorous pet, you've gotta give them a chance to be on the cover of our Calendar. Enter today: www.gogophotocontest.com/fkf. Remember: entries are free and votes are only $1 each—plus, they are tax deductible! Participants can also save a day for $10 and guarantee to have their pet's photo in the calendar on a specific day, or pre-order a calendar for $15—with free delivery in Gillette, Wyoming. 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. There are two additional prizes up for grabs as well, and any participant who raises more than $200 will receive a free FKF 2018 pet calendar! Proceeds from this contest help Fur Kids Foundation provide funds to cover the costs of unexpected emergency veterinary care for families with pets in Campbell County, Wyoming. The contest closes on July 22. Spread the word! In June 2017, Fur Kids Foundation had 10 families apply for assistance, and we were able to help five of those families—for a total of $1,879 given in aid. In 2017, we have given $6,655.80 to families in Campbell County, Wyoming to pay for emergency veterinary care. Below is a rundown of the cases we provided assistance to in March:
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.  Volunteer of the Month: Laura Miller The Fur Kids Foundation board of directors want to give a huge shout out to Laura Miller as the June 2017 Volunteer of the Month!
This is the third time that Laura has been recognized as FKF’s volunteer of the month—once in March 2016 and another in January 2017. Laura has been a crafty crocheter this year helping raise money with Cancer Crochet—as of June 30, this fundraiser has raised more than $1,253! It’s never too early to start thinking about Christmas or other holidays and special events. Cancer Crochet is less than $800 from their goal of $2,000 to raise for FKF by the end of the year! Thank you to Laura (and Mika) for crocheting their little hearts out to raise so much money for FKF. But that’s not all! Laura reached out to the Board in June to see if we’d like to have a booth during Wright Days, and she agreed to pay for the vendor fee, and sit at the booth for the entire show! Even better, nearly $200 was raised that day—so, not only did FKF get some exposure in Wright, Wyoming, but also received donations! Laura has also graciously agreed to help with the organization of the Watermelon Eating Contest that FKF is hosting during the Campbell County Fair on August 5. Stay tuned for more information on this! Laura, we greatly appreciate your initiative in creating fundraisers for Fur Kids Foundation! We are so happy 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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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
February 2020
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