Fur Kids Foundation Pack News Blog

Success Story: George 2017

7/27/2017

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.

Success Story: Rex 2017

7/27/2017

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.

Calendar Contest blasts goal!

7/25/2017

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:

Sammy, $132
Lena, $125
Elbie, $110
Rascal, $102
Bart, $101
Harry, $80
Dally, $69
Sleepy Kitten, Chili and Chloe, $60

Be sure to check out the other entries here. We had 20 of you take advantage of our Save a Calendar Day and feature your pet in the calendar, and 17 calendars pre-ordered!

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.

Success Story: Louie 2017

7/12/2017

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:

belly pain
dehydration
diarrhea
fever or a lowered body temperature
hard time breathing
irregular heartbeat
lack of energy
loss of appetite
vomiting

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.

Success Story: Copper 2017

7/12/2017

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:

Eating or drinking too much
Eating from a raised bowl or too quickly
Excessive running or playing after meals
Having one meal per day
Stress

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.

Success Story: Sheba 2017

7/12/2017

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:

Absence of grooming
Difficulty jumping
Playing less
Withdrawing or hiding more than normal

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.

FKF raising funds to help families with pets this summer

7/12/2017

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.

Fur Kids Foundation is working on a Recipe Book! But, we need help to fill it with delicious recipes for both humans and their four-legged companions. Recipes can be submitted at www.furkidsfoundation.org/recipe.html
Until Saturday, July 15, the organization has partnered with Thirty One Consultant Tracy Arroyos to help folks get organized! Place a Thirty One order during the Tote-ally Paw-some FUNraiser, and the Foundation will receive 20% of the sales! Learn more at www.furkidsfoundation.org/31bags.html
Until Saturday, July 22, the Foundation is hosting a Pet Calendar Photo Contest to give all pets their chance to be models! Submissions are FREE and votes are only $1 each. Participants can also save a day for $10 and select a day that their pet’s photos will show on the calendar; plus, they can pre-order a calendar for $15 (with delivery in Gillette). All donations are tax deductible. Learn more about the photo contest at www.gogophotocontest.com/fkf.
For those who are at the Campbell County Fair on Saturday, August 5, FKF encourages you to sign up for a Watermelon Eating Contest. Each competitor must eat a large wedge of watermelon down to the rind with their hands tied behind their backs in 60 seconds or less! It’s $10 to enter, and there are four different age categories. Register online, or download a registration form at www.furkidsfoundation.org/watermelon.html.
On August 26, the City Pool goes to the dogs for the Pooch Plunge! Participants can bring their dog to the pool for two sessions and watch them have a blast plunging into the water. Tennis balls and dog treats provided. Cost is $5 per dog, per session; humans get in free! Learn more at www.furkidsfoundation.org/pooch-plunge.html.

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

60 pets Vying for Slot in Photo Contest

7/7/2017

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!

FKF June 2017 Case Update

7/7/2017

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:

Dog who was poisoned
Cat with abscessed teeth
Dog with a cut on his foot
Cat with a broken femur
Dogs with parvo

We have seen so many people getting a puppy and a few days later the puppy being diagnosed with Parvo. Please, when purchasing or adopting a puppy make sure they’ve had at least their first set of shots, any reputable breeder will give you vaccine records. Also, DO NOT bring your puppy to any public places until they’ve had all of their vaccines—this includes parks and pet stores. Visit with your veterinarian to make sure all of your pets are updated on vaccines, and to get your new puppy set up on their puppy booster shots. Also, always scoop your dog’s poop. Parvovirus is extremely contagious and can be transmitted by any person, animal or object that comes in contact with an infected dog’s feces. Read more about Parvo here.

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.

FKF June 2017 Volunteer of the Month

7/7/2017

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.

Order Pet Food Online

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.

Author

The 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

April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
September 2012