2021 Success Story Chavi

This beautiful baby is Chavi, a 5-month-old Belgian Malinois.

Malinois are a different type of alligator dog, and when they put their minds to it, they can do whatever they want. A lesson that Chavi's human brother learned the hard way.

Chavi and her brother were going for a car ride, and he thought that he had the window rolled up just enough so that Chavi could enjoy the car ride, but not get into trouble. Instead, Chavi squeezed herself out of the back window—while her brother was driving. Her family took her to the vet. Unfortunately, Chavi ended up fracturing her pelvis. The break was so bad that surgery was the only option.

For those who don’t know, the pelvis acts to support animals’ back limbs so your pet can move comfortably. This bone structure also protects organs that pass through the pelvic canal such as the bladder and intestines, as well as important blood vessels and nerves. As you can imagine, it’s very important for you to have your pet checked out by a veterinarian if you suspect that a bone is broken. For a break as severe as Chavi’s, the fracture needs to be stabilized and repaired, so your dog can heal faster and minimize the pain during recovery.

During COVID, Chavi’s mom wasn't able to work, and when she started to get back to work, she lost a lot of clients, which meant a decrease in pay. She's been slowly getting back on her feet, when this emergency hit with her pup. Chavi's mom applied to Fur Kids Foundation for help with the emergency surgery, and we were more than happy to help. 

Chavi had surgery and is recovering well. Her mom sent us this message:
"Chavi made it through surgery! We are all so very thankful for you—this is very needed in a sudden and unexpected injury. Again, you all are so very amazing for gifting us with your donation to help save Chavis leg!"

Fur Kids Foundation advises pet owners to find a safe and comfortable way to keep their pet restrained during a car ride. Driving with a pet loose in your car can be unsafe, especially if they are hopping around the car while you're driving. Another thing to consider is that while airbags are great for keeping adults safe, they can kill your pet if you have an accident with them in the front seat. One of the safest ways for your pet to travel is in a carrier that has been strapped to the back seat of the vehicle with a seatbelt or other anchor. Make sure the carrier is large enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down. You can also use a pet seatbelt, but these have not been proven to protect animals during a car crash. Consider reading this article from The Bark, 7 Ways to Secure Your Dog in the Car.

About Fur Kids Foundation
Fur Kids Foundation is 100% run by dedicated volunteers who give their time to help the Foundation raise money with events, take applications, and spread the word about the good work the Foundation does in Campbell County, Wyoming. If you would like to help Fur Kids Foundation continue to help local families with animals afford emergency veterinary care, please consider making a tax-deductible donation via PayPal or signing up to become a volunteer. Read more Success Stories.