 On February 5, Animal Medical Center of Wyoming in Gillette gave Fur Kids Foundation a donation check for more than $2,700! These funds were from an internal program that the veterinary clinic created in 2018.
This is what Animal Medical Center had to say in their Facebook post: One of our favorite days of the year is when we get to hand Fur Kids Foundation a donation! We are excited to give them over $2700 that will help families in our community through Fur Kids Foundation! A HUGE THANK YOU to our amazing patients and clients who made it possible for us to 🐾 paw-it-forward! The connection between Animal Medical Center and Fur Kids Foundation runs deep. The veterinary clinic has supported the Foundation since its inception—participating at or being sponsors for events, buying tables at A Night for Paws, donating items for our silent auctions and more. We appreciate and value their support. Learn more about the program >>>
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 This stunner is Chewy, a 3 year-old Pit Bull. Chewy's mom adopted him and has committed to giving him the best life possible. Then COVID-19 hit, causing her hours to get cut at work, and it's taken a little longer to get caught up on finances than she planned.
Chewy has a canine brother and they love to play! Recently, they were playing with one another when somehow Chewy's ear was caught in the wrestling match. The next day his ear was swollen, and it appeared that he had cauliflower ear; what your vet will likely call an hematoma. Chewy’s mom tried to take care of it the best she could, but then noticed it was really swollen and oozing. The discomfort caused Chewy to stress chew his feet, so his mom knew she needed to get him into the vet immediately. A hematoma looks painful, and unfortunately, it is. The ear will then swell and develop a vegetable-like texture, which then makes their ears extremely sore, and will likely make your pup shake their head over and over again. Causing more of an issue. In fact, the ear (or ears) can swell so full of blood that they feel like a water balloon! Eeek! Hematomas are a minor condition, but treatment by a veterinarian is still needed. Chewy had to get sedated so the vet could release the pressure in his ear. Because of the unplanned veterinary expense, Chewy's mom applied with Fur Kids Foundation for help with her emergency bill. Thankfully Chewy is slated to make a full recovery. Hopefully he chooses a different career than a professional boxer, because a cauliflower ear doesn't look good on him. Ears are a very sensitive body part that can be susceptible to ear infections, injury, and even hematomas from dogs flapping their ears too much. It is very important for every responsible pet parent to watch out for signs and symptoms of injuries, like this one. Fur Kids Foundation always encourages you to call your vet and seek advice on the next steps, if you suspect an injury, and it is very important to take your pet in to the vet at any sign of infection. 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. January really kicked off 2021 with cases. We received nine (9) applications and eight (8) received assistance for their emergency veterinary care for a total of $2493.74.
When applying for assistance, applicants are required to fill out the application, provide proof of income for everyone in the home over the age of 18, picture ID and picture of the pet. Some cases aren't approved because they were able to cover the bill, they didn't submit all of the info needed, or they make too much. If you ever have questions about assistance, please don't hesitate to ask. Below are the January cases:
Many of these cases we help can be found as featured stories on our Success Stories page.  Recently, we announced that the Fur Kids Foundation Board of Directors was looking to add two new members, and in turn we added four amazing pack members!
Mary Ellen Young has been a volunteer for many years - not sure if she regrets being my work neighbor and getting wrangled into this crazy life, but she's hit the ground running. She took over the Ladies Night Out events, now called the Holiday and Spring Bazaars, and has transformed them and grew them in a way we never imagined could happen. We're so happy to have her leadership skills, go-to attitude and craziness as a part of our pack. Tara Beard was a board member and also on the Applications Committee in the early years of the Foundation, but had to step down a few years ago due to work changes. We're super excited to announce that SHE'S BAAAAAAACK! But, just as a board member this time. Tara kept volunteering at events and has been a long-time supporter of the Foundation. Marci Zimmerman Kelhi and Trey Mcconnell have also joined our team! Both have been long-time supporters of the organization, donating their time and items to events, sharing our events, and all around being awesome. Here's your Board line-up:
Fur Kids Foundation is still looking for a Case Manager for the Applications Committee. The current Case Managers are Mary Melaragno and Linda Tufvesson. This dynamic duo alternates months to take calls and work with the applicants. While the application says we'll get in touch with people within 24 hours, we really try to get in touch with them within a few hours, and if we can't we'll ask the other person to reach out and work the case. Case mangers call the vet clinics, make sure the applicant is in good standing with them, discuss the situation, and get an estimate. If they haven't already talked to the applicant, case managers then give them a call, visit with what is going on with them, get a feel for their situation, etc. The time commitment can be anywhere from five (5) hours a month, to 40 hours a month. Some days we get five applications, and sometimes we only get five applications for the month. We try to work together so we can take vacations, have weekends away, so the other person can take the calls. This is the Foundation's most confidential committee, and a lot of pride is involved with not sharing information on the applicants, who they are, their situations, etc. If you are interested in being on the Applications Committee, we encourage you to complete a Board and Volunteer Application and contact us.  This beauty is Ellah Mae, a 2 1/2 year-old calico kitty. Ellah Mae is very important to her mom; check out what she has to say about her kitty: “Her and her brother are my guardian angels. They took care of me after my oldest daughter was killed 8 months ago. I got Ellah from the Shelter when she was 11 months old. It took her over a month to want anything to do with me, until I got her brother Benjermin from the shelter. Once she realized that I wasn't going to hurt her and that she was safe, she just jumped into my lap one day and her and I bonded in a way I can't explain. She's my whole world, along with her brother.” Recently, Ellah Mae's face swelled up, and her mom thought that she got into a fight or injured herself somehow. When she brought Ellah to the vet she was surprised to hear that Ellah Mae had a number of abscessed teeth and needed almost all of her teeth removed! She never thought a cat so young could have such bad teeth. Ellah Mae's mom is a single mom on a limited budget, and this expense was very unplanned. She applied to Fur Kids Foundation for help. According to PetMD: Cat periodontal disease, or gum disease in cats, is an inflammation of some or all of a tooth’s deep supporting structures. It is one of the most common diseases in cats today. VetStreet explains that the following signs and symptoms of gum disease in cats can be:
Fun fact: Calico cats are female because they're coloring is related to the X chromosome. Two X chromosomes are needed for a cat to have that distinctive tri-color coat. If a cat has an XX pair, she will be female. Male cats have an XY chromosome pair, so they can't be Calicos. Meow! Fur Kids Foundation is happy to help and Ellah Mae is going to make a full recovery and adjust to the toothless life.
Your pet's teeth and gums should be checked at least once a year by your veterinarian to check for early signs of a problem and to keep your pet's mouth healthy. Just so you know, dental disease in cats (and dogs) can be prevented the same way it can be prevented in humans: by brushing your pet’s teeth. Talk to your veterinarian about how to help your pet avoid gum disease at your next check up. 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.  Editors Note: Typically, we do not publish blogs that do not have happy endings, but Fur Kids Foundation decided that we would publish this one to help pet parents act on their concerns instead of holding off on them.
Back in August 2020, Fur Kids Foundation was contacted by the mom of Sancho, a 12-year-old Mastiff/Lab mix. "He is my best friend. I love him so much, so to say he's my best friend would be an understatement," Sancho's mom said. Unfortunately, Sancho's mom had fallen ill, which made it impossible for her to go to work. Shortly afterward, she noticed that Sancho had some masses in his mouth. She believes the masses were abscesses and knew that he needed to have his teeth cleaned. Due to his age, she knew that he would need to be looked at soon, so she applied with Fur Kids Foundation for help. We are sad to report that the abscesses in Sancho's mouth weren't from bad teeth; poor Sancho had mouth cancer, or oral cancer. This kind of cancer usually affects older dogs, and is typically found on the roof of the mouth or around the gums; however, these tumors can be found anywhere in the mouth. According to PetMD, below are some signs you can look for in dogs with mouth cancer:
Surgery is often the treatment of choice for oral cancer in dogs; however, if a tumor has already spread to other parts of the body (or metastasized) it will not cure the dog. When we heard last, Sancho's mom is going to do everything she can to keep her old man comfortable and happy. Sancho cross the Rainbow Bridge in September 2020. "Everyone is taught that angles have wings, but the lucky ones of us find they have four paws." Just as humans, our pets need regular checkups to stay healthy. Depending on your pet's age, yearly exams with a veterinarian are quite common; however, for very young and aging animals, more frequent visits to the vet may be necessary. Fur Kids Foundation encourages you to establish a relationship with your vet as well as speak with them to determine how often your loving companion should visit their clinic. 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.  Fur Kids Foundation in Gillette, Wyoming is accepting Board of Directors and Application Committee member nominees until February 3, 2021. If you're interested in either position, please email us at furkidsfoundation@gmail.com.
The Fur Kids Foundation Board of Directors has an open position. Commitment includes:
We are also seeking a Case Manager for the Applications Committee. Commitment includes:
If you are interested in either of these positions, please visit our website and complete the Board and Volunteer Application, or email us at furkidsfoundation@gmail.com for more information.  This beauty is Piper—she’s a sheep dog, poodle, Great Dane, Mastiff mix; and we think she’s stunning!
Piper and her family live outside of town where there are a lot of rodents lately. Piper is affectionately dubbed a house pony at home because of her size, and ability to reach things that most wouldn’t realize was possible. And that is just how Piper earned an emergency visit to the veterinarian. Piper was able to get into some rat poison that was set out to help control the rodent issue. Unfortunately, Piper took a turn for the worst, and her mom had to run her into the vet clinic. There, she applied to Fur Kids Foundation for help with this unexpected and emergent visit. Piper's oxygen levels were low, and it appeared she was bleeding into her lungs. Piper was set up in the oxygen chamber at the clinic and given blood clotting medicine. The vet clinic even brought in a personal dog who was prepared to donate her blood to help Piper. For those who don’t know, rat and mouse poisons (rodenticides), are formulated to kill rodents; unfortunately, the chemicals used in these products are highly toxic to dogs and can cause internal bleeding, kidney failure, organ damage and even death. Some common signs that your dog may have been poisoned include:
But, there are some other, less common symptoms, such as:
Fortunately, Piper's blood started clotting and she started making a recovery on her own without needing the transfusion. The last update we received from her mom was that sweet Piper was doing great at home, and she was committed to helping Piper make a full recovery. If you suspect that your dog has eaten poison, Fur Kids Foundation encourages you to call your vet immediately. Your vet is best suited to offer advice; please do not spend precious time trying to treat your dog yourself. Don’t give your dog anything to make them sick without speaking to your vet as this could do more harm than good. To prevent rat poisoning in your pet at home by storing any rodenticide products well out of their reach. 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.  This beauty is Bella, a 15-month-old Border Collie/Blue Heeler mix. Bella's mom had recently started a new job, and then COVID-19 slowed down her hours, and pay.
That's when Bella decided to eat something she shouldn't. Bella had diarrhea and was vomiting, and her mom rushed her to the vet, where she learned her fur kid had an obstruction, or sometimes called a blockage. While she was at the vet, she applied to Fur Kids Foundation for help with Bella’s emergency bills because she knew the vet care Bella needed was out of her budget, and was very afraid Bella would need surgery. We were happy to help! Luckily, Bella only needed a night's stay at the clinic because she was able to pass the item on her own. Even though Bella passed the object, it is very important for pet parents to be aware of the signs and symptoms of an obstruction. An obstruction, also known as a gastrointestinal blockage, is a common problem in dogs (especially puppies) because of their curious nature and desire to taste nearly everything. An obstruction prevents solids or liquids from passing through the gastrointestinal tract, which also decreases blood flow to the bowels, causing deterioration and absorption of toxic contents. Symptoms can include:
If you suspect your dog may have a blockage, please seek veterinary attention as possible. Obstructions are medical emergencies for dogs. If left untreated, it could result in severe fluid loss (because the dog doesn’t want to eat or drink), intestinal rupture and death. We're hoping Bella learns her lesson and doesn't eat things she shouldn't! 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.  This handsome pup is Diesel, a 5-month-old Pit Bull. Recently he was acting like a true puppy maniac and slipped while trying to greet his friend. His paw slid under the front step, and unfortunately caused a fracture.
Diesel's mom had recently changed jobs and was helping to take care of her grandchildren, so funds were tight. At the vet she learned that Diesel's fracture wasn't bad enough to need surgery, it would only need splints, but that was still more than Diesel's mom could afford. She applied for help with Diesel’s emergency veterinary care with Fur Kids Foundation. Diesel went through weeks of splints, and decided he didn't want to keep calm anymore. He somehow broke his growth plate while being a crazy puppy. Luckily, because of his age, splints will still work for his situation, but Diesel's near future is going to be full of activity restrictions while he heals. We're hopeful after he's healed that this is his first and last set of broken bones! We all know that puppies can be crazy sometimes and accidents happen, but broken bones and fractures can cause serious issues and it is up to every pet parent to make sure they know all of the signs and symptoms of broken bones. Broken bones can show up as:
If you suspect your pet has a broken bone, Fur Kids Foundation encourages you to get to a veterinarian quickly, so they can perform an exam and do x-rays to determine the damage and treatment. 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. |
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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.
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© 2011-2020 I P.O. Box 7074, Gillette, WY 82717 I 307.363.1131 I furkidsfoundation@gmail.com
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You can view a list of Fur Kids Foundation Supporters here >>>
You can view a list of Fur Kids Foundation Supporters here >>>
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