 This April, patrons who visit Dairy Queen, 2003 S. Douglas Highway in Gillette, Wyoming, can give back to Fur Kids Foundation! For the entire month of April, DQ customers will be asked to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar, or to make an additional donation to Fur Kids Foundation. So, if you swing by for a tasty treat or some famous DQ fan food, consider leaving a few cents (or more) to help local pets with emergency veterinary needs. Last year, this great event raised nearly $5K for the Foundation. Will you help us top that? You can even bring your own fur kid through the drive through and request a doggy dish, aka a complimentary small cup of vanilla ice cream. And if you score one of those, be sure to share it on Fur Kids Foundation's Facebook page! A dollar here and a dollar there really does go a long way! We hope to see you at DQ. Fur Kids Foundation is the only organization in Northeastern Wyoming that provides families with pets access to veterinary care when they cannot afford it—so you are helping your neighbors and friends, and maybe family, when you donate. 
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 Did you know that National Walk in the Park Day is on Saturday, March 30 this year? And by coincidence, so is the Fur Kids Foundation Fundraiser with Crazy Daisy Floral, 502 E. Lakeway Road! What a fun way to celebrate the fur kids in your life and help raise money for FKF, helping pets and families in need in Campbell County, Wyoming. Stop by Crazy Daisy Floral anytime between 11 am to 3 pm on March 30 and paint a pet-themed sign. Signs will be priced from $10-$50 and should take between 10-45 minutes. 10% of the days sales will return to Fur Kids Foundation! Oh, and well-behaved dogs, and their owners, are welcome in the shop! Maybe choose one to display that special fur kid’s leash or collar! It’s a simple, fun and quick DIY craft. After you paint, why not take your fur kid for a walk in the park and post a picture to FKF Facebook page! Don’t forget to add the WalkForADog app and choose FKF as the recipient to raise extra funds while you enjoy walks with your pet! Hope to see you at Crazy Daisy Floral for some painting fun! Let’s celebrate those fur kids on National Walk in the Park Day on March 30. Wait, did someone say walk? Join the event on Facebook to follow the chatter.   This is Mica, a 3 year-old Border Collie/Australian Cattle Dog mix. Doesn’t he look like a real sweetheart…who might just get himself into something mischievous every once in a while?
That’s exactly what his mom thought when Mica started coughing and wouldn’t eat. She was afraid he had swallowed a toy and that it had lodged in his throat, she was so worried Mica was going to choke. Mom knew she had to do something, but that “something” came with its own concerns. Mica has been in the family since he was 9 weeks old. He’s mom’s best friend and she couldn’t stand the thought of something happening to him. To make matters even more stressful, mom is on a limited income and using her resources to raise her grandchild. She knew she wouldn’t have the money to cover this unexpected visit to the vet. Still deeply concerned for Mica and stressed about how she was going to cover the cost, mom got Mica to the vet. The good news was that Mica didn’t have anything stuck in his throat. The bad news was that Mica had pneumonia. Pneumonia can be tricky for pet owners to catch and can be confused with more common things like thinking your pet swallowed something they shouldn’t have. Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs. There are two types of pneumonia (aspiration and bacterial) but both have similar warning signs. Symptoms to watch for include:
Luckily, pneumonia is treatable with medication. Mica’s mom was relieved that he didn’t have anything lodged in his throat, but she was still dreading a vet bill and medication costs. That’s when Mica’s mom learned about Fur Kids Foundation and applied for help. She was so relieved to know that her beloved Mica was going to be okay and that she could remain financially stable for her grandchild. During Mica’s follow up appointment he was already showing improvement and back to his sweet and loveably mischievous ways. If your pet does swallow something they shouldn’t and is choking, utilize this guide from PetMD on the Heimlich Maneuver for pets. Should your pet choke to the point they aren’t able to breathe, this guide from the American Red Cross on Pet CPR can help. Fur Kids Foundation is 100% ran by dedicated volunteers who give their time to help the Foundation raise money, 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. You can see a list of those who support us on our Supporters page. Check out more Success Stories.  There is no worse feeling than a phone call with bad news. One night, Shorty, a 5-year-old Jack Russell Terrier was the subject of a phone call no one wants to get.
Shorty’s mom was at work, when she got a call from Shorty’s human brother who was in a panic. Their beloved Shorty was shaking, non-responsive, and his brother knew something was terribly wrong. Wasting no time, shorty was quickly rushed to the vet. Shorty is like a second child to his mom. His mom is recently divorced and has been reduced to a single income while supporting her and her son. For mom, the thought of something happening to Shorty was terrifying. At the vet clinic, Shorty had a grand mal seizure. A seizure is an unusual release of electrical activity in the brain. It can have many signs like:
A seizure can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. So what should you do if your pet has a seizure? These tips from the American Kennel Club might help.
Shorty’s vet kept him at the clinic for a few days to get his seizures under control. While he was there, Shorty was still having seizures and neither the vet nor Shorty’s family was comfortable with him going home in that condition. Shorty’s mom knew he was receiving the care he needed, but she was worried about how she was going to afford this unexpected expense. Shorty’s mom sought out Fur Kids Foundation who was able to ease the financial burden. In a few days, Shorty’s medication was working and he was finally able to go home. Mom was so thankful to have Shorty back and so relieved Fur Kids Foundation was able to help. Shorty’s medication helps keep his seizures under control and now mom knows what to look for in the future. Fur Kids Foundation is 100% ran by dedicated volunteers who give their time to help the Foundation raise money, 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. You can see a list of those who support us on our Supporters page. Check out more Success Stories.  This beauty is Jenn, an 8-year-old medium shorthair Calico cat.
Jenn’s dad, who is on a limited income, noticed that her mouth was swelling up recently. Then he noticed she had some discharge coming from one of her teeth, as well as blood. He describes Jenn as 'basically like a daughter to me," so he was very concerned about her well-being. He brought her to the vet, where he found out that Jenn had an abscess tooth that needed to be removed, along with a dental cleaning to hopefully stop any other teeth from becoming infected. Pet Care RX reports that if you see swelling, redness, maybe even pus along an area of the gums, your cat may have a tooth abscess, which should be treated right away to avoid further discomfort and additional health problems. Sometimes an abscessed tooth happens because your pet’s tooth is fractured. Another reason an abscess could happen is dental disease, or periodontal disease. Signs of periodontal disease and other dental problems include:
Note: Fur Kids Foundation was able to help Jenn’s dad with the abscessed portion of the vet visit. Dental cleaning are considered a preventative part of pet health, and not necessarily an emergency vet visit. Fur Kids Foundation recommends a yearly pet exam with your vet to help with proper dental health. Fur Kids Foundation is 100% ran by dedicated volunteers who give their time to help the Foundation raise money, 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. You can see a list of those who support us on our Supporters page. Check out more Success Stories. If you have questions or concerns about your pet, Fur Kids Foundation encourages you to visit or call your veterinarian!  This is Corky, and older feline who loves his mommy. Corky had been acting a bit off, so his mom brought him to the vet to see what was going on with her beloved kitty.
Corky's mom has early onset dementia and is on a limited income. When multiple tests had to be done to find out what was wrong with poor Corky, hid mom knew that she couldn't afford the care that was necessary to get her kitty better. That’s when she applied to Fur Kids Foundation for help. At the vet, after all of the tests had been done, they learned that Corky had an inflamed bladder. Thankfully, with a few small changes and some medication, he is on the mend. According to Pet MD, symptoms associated with an inflamed bladder include:
Fur Kids Foundation is 100% ran by dedicated volunteers who give their time to help the Foundation raise money, 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. You can see a list of those who support us on our Supporters page. Check out more Success Stories.
2019 A Night for Paws an incredible success
You helped us raise nearly $11,000! These funds Fur Kids Foundation and the Gillette Chamber Singers will use to support their missions: helping families with pets afford emergency veterinary care, and spreading the joy of music to communities near and far! We could not have done this without you. Thank you for your support! Photos from the night are available on Facebook. Learn more about the Gillette Chamber Singers, and check out their upcoming events, on Facebook. If you missed the first A Night for Paws, make sure you read what Fur Kids Foundation President, Mary Melaragno, said in her speech, and check out our videos above.
Throughout the evening we’ve mentioned that Fur Kids Foundation helps families who demonstrate a need pay for unexpected veterinary care in Campbell County, Wyoming.
So what does that mean? We don’t help with routine visits; vaccinations, spays and neuters, dentals, or things of that nature. We do help when that dog escapes his yard, gets hit by a car and breaks his leg. Every case must fill out an application for assistance. And if approved, we will help pay a portion of their veterinary costs. We’ve heard it before. If you can’t afford a pet, then you shouldn’t have a pet. And that couldn’t be further from the truth with many of our cases. You see, they do have a budget for the yearly visits, dentals, and vaccines. They do have a monthly budget for food, treats, and toys. Then, a large company lays off hundreds of employees in one day. A primary industry sees a decline, and cuts employee’s hours. Illnesses and injuries, separations and divorces happen. Sometimes life just throws you a curveball. And your dog eats that curveball, gets an obstruction and needs emergency surgery. I hope that everyone here has had, does have, or will have, a once in a lifetime dog. A cat that soothes your soul. A horse that is there when you need him the most. Fur Kids Foundation believes pets are family. The pets that we help, that’s what they are to their owners. A dog is the best friend to the senior citizen living alone. A dog is the family member to the single mom working two jobs to support herself and her young daughter. A cat is the support system,“rock” to the young man who just moved for a job and doesn’t have any friends or family. Too often, if one of these beloved family members get sick or injured, the medical care they need is outside their owner’s budget. And that senior citizen can’t help his best friend. That mom can’t help the dog who sleeps in the same bed with her little girl every night. That young man can’t help his only family member. This is why we created Fur Kids Foundation. I was chatting with a supporter and she asked if I knew why they support FKF. I said “no, why?” She said, "Because you’re helping families who want to do the right thing, do the right thing." One of our cases recently reached out and told us, because of our help, they were able to give their pet the best care available, when they couldn’t afford to give them the minimum care. This is what FKF is about. Your donations and support help your friends, family, neighbors and co-workers. And from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you. 
 Meet Diego, an 8-year-old Miniature Pinscher/Chihuahua mix pup. Not too long ago, Diego suddenly started vomiting, had diarrhea, and was refusing to eat his nummies. His family was so worried about him.
"I love him, he's my baby boy. He's my companion," says Diego’s mommy. They took Diego to the vet, but the cost of the examinations really had them worried. See, Diego's family is a single income home, and they had not budgeted for this emergency. At the vet’s office, they heard about Fur Kids Foundation and applied for help. After the tests at the vet’s office, Diego’s parents found out that he had a pancreatitis. For those who don’t know, pancreatitis simply means inflammation of the pancreas. This condition can occur in any dog, but it is more common in middle-age to older dogs, overweight dogs, and females. The pancreas has many functions, but it’s mostly important for digestion and the production of insulin. The most common symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs are loss of appetite, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Other signs to watch for include:
There are many causes of pancreatitis in dogs, but the most common ones are due to obesity, pets being fed high-fat diets, and hypothyroidism. Even if your dog has a healthy diet, on those special occasions when you give Fido some sausage, turkey skin, or even some bacon can cause a pancreatitis! (Veterinarians often see an increase in pancreatitis around the holidays because families want to share their holiday meal with their pooch!) Another common cause of pancreatitis are dogs who rifle through the garbage and get into goodies they really shouldn’t! According to the Pet Health Network: When the pancreas becomes inflamed, digestive enzymes that are normally inactive until they reach the small intestine become active in the pancreas instead—resulting in pain and swelling as the pancreas actually begins to digest itself. Yikes! As you can imagine, if this condition isn’t treated, a dog could get gravely ill. If your pet has any of the symptoms outlined above, please take them to a vet immediately! We are very happy to report that Diego received proper treatment at the vet clinic, and is on a strict eating plan so this doesn't happen again. Fur Kids Foundation is 100% ran by dedicated volunteers who give their time to help the Foundation raise money, 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. You can see a list of those who support us on our Supporters page. Check out more Success Stories. If you have questions or concerns about your pet, Fur Kids Foundation encourages you to visit or call your veterinarian!  This is Beast, a 5 year-old Dalmatian/Keeshond mix. One day, when Beast would try to get up, he yelped in pain. His family kept him calm that day, hoping it would help, but the next day he could hardly walk up the stairs or get up without yelping in pain. His family was scared something was seriously wrong. They took him to the vet as soon as they could; but the family was distraught over what was wrong with Beast, and if they could afford to help him.
"Beast is a part of our family. He means everything to my girlfriend, son and me … he has been the best dog friend we could ever ask for. He's great with our son and always has been, he thinks he's a lap dog sometimes but we are ok with that. We love him, and don't want to see him in any more pain." Beast’s dad is currently the only one working in the home. To make matters harder, he was in the middle of a job transition, and hadn't received a paycheck yet when Beast hurt himself. When they learned about Fur Kids Foundation, they applied for assistance. Luckily, X-rays didn't show that anything was wrong with Beast, but further exams showed signs that Beast had quite the muscle strain. Beast is on crate rest until his body can heal. Fur Kids Foundation is 100% ran by dedicated volunteers who give their time to help the Foundation raise money, 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. You can see a list of those who support us on our Supporters page. Check out more Success Stories.  Have you seen Karma, the 6 year-old unaltered pit bull? Doesn't that sweet face just make you melt?
Recently, this good girl started to act a little off, and her dad noticed that she had some discharge coming from her lady parts. When he brought her into the vet, after the exam, they told him that she had pyometra, a life-threatening disease if left untreated. And, Karma’s prognosis was really advanced; she needed emergency surgery. For those who don’t know, pyometra is a uterine disease usually seen in unaltered female dogs who have not been pregnant; however, the disease can also be seen in unspayed cats, guinea pigs, rabbits and rats. It can be seen in dogs of any age, but typically occurs in unspayed dogs who are around the age of 6 or older. Usually, a dog will show symptoms of the disease within a few months of their last heat cycle. Symptoms often include:
Again, this is a life-threatening disease. If you see the above symptoms in your dog after their heat cycle, please get her to a veterinarian immediately. Fur Kids Foundation is no stranger to this disease, sadly we’ve seen it in many cases we have helped. The Foundation board and case managers encourage all pet owners of female dogs (or cats, guinea pigs, rabbits and rats) to spay them because it prevents the disease from ever happening, especially if you are like most pet owners who never plan to breed your dog. There are also other benefits of spaying your dog, which you can read about in our Why Spay/Neuter page. Karma's dad can usually take care of Karma and himself; however, he is also currently taking care of his parents. When he received the estimate for surgery, he knew he couldn't afford it and was afraid he was going to lose Karma if she didn’t have it. “Karma is my best friend. She’s the reason I'm alive. She was all I had just a few years ago," he said. He applied to Fur Kids Foundation for help, and we were happy to help Karma and her family. Thankfully, she's on the mend from her surgery, and recovering well. Fur Kids Foundation is 100% ran by dedicated volunteers who give their time to help the Foundation raise money, 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. You can see a list of those who support us on our Supporters page. Check out 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.
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
May 2019
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