Second Chance Fund - Gulf Coast Humane Society in SWFL

Second Chance Fund

This donor-advised fund is for shelter animals who need specialized medical care.  Donating to this fund is a compassionate way to make a positive impact on a dog or cat’s life when they need additional medical procedures beyond routine care.

The Second Chance Fund In Action:

Duff, Davey, Dylan, and Darby came to us with the deadly and highly contagious Canine Parvovirus (CPV).  The virus attacks white blood cells and the gastrointestinal tract of dogs.  In puppies, the virus can also damage the heart muscle. Vaccinations help prevent this virus.  In untreated cases, mortality rates are 91%.

Our veterinarians were able to successfully treat two of the brothers. However, the other two brothers, Dylan and Davy, had advanced CPV and needed to be hospitalized.  They were transferred to Blue Pearl Pet Hospital.  After nearly two weeks of intensive care, Dylan and Davy’s condition improved and eventually were transferred back to GCHS fully recovered from the deadly virus.

At GCHS, we take every precaution and provide the best care for every shelter animal.  The Second Chance Fund, a donor-advised fund, provides for emergency and hospitalized care.

 

Harvey and Bear find relief in Second Chance Fund

A pair of Gulf Coast Humane Society shelter dogs were on the road to recovery after having surgery to make a better life for each. The surgeries were made possible by the GCHS’ Second Chance Fund, which pays for the procedures and rehabilitation the animals have to go through.

Harvey, a two-year-old American Staffordshire, came into GCHS as a transfer from the Clewiston Animal Services. He was diagnosed with a dislocated ankle, making it very painful for Harvey to walk normal. He was transferred to Specialized Veterinary Services for surgery on Jan. 31, and was back to GCHS that same day to start his rehab.

“We had to partially fuse his ankle (joint), but the prognosis for Harvey is very good,” said Dr. Jason Eisele, DACVS, who performed the surgery at SVS. “When the main joint is not involved, like Harvey’s, it’s always a better prognosis. He should have little to no long-term effects and should be able to run, jump and play normally.”

The second dog who underwent surgery at SVS, which was funded by the Second Chance Fund, was Bear, a 10-month old Great Pyrenees, who suffered a deformity in one of his hind legs. He had a laterally luxated patellar, which was dislocated on the outside of his leg.

The deformity caused a severe limp when Bear walked, so the decision was made to perform surgery to correct his walk. His surgery was performed over a month ago at SVS. Since then he has been in foster care during his rehab, in which he is getting used to walking on his fixed leg. “Bear had more deformity to the joint than normal,” Dr. Eisele said. “Bear won’t need revision surgery, which is good and his implants are holding up well. There will always be a difference from his normal leg and we expect Bear to have a gait for the rest of his life, which won’t be painful. But his knee should be stable for the rest of his life.”

The cost of Harvey’s surgery ranged in the $1,600 area, while Bear’s cost $1,400.

“These surgeries could not be performed without the Second Chance Fund,” said GCHS Executive Director, Jennifer Galloway. “It’s a vital fund for these animals who really have nowhere else to turn. It provides them a literal second chance at life. We also give a big thank you to SVS and Dr. Eisele for doing such a great service and work on these animals.” After each of Harvey’s and Bear’s rehab, both were eventually adopted, all thanks to the Second Chance Fund.

Independence “Indie”:
Second Chance Fund Receipient

Independence came to GCHS from Collier County. He arrived with multiple injuries, the most severe being his missing nose and upper lip. It is believed that Indie was used as a bait dog for dog fighting. He also had scarring on his leg from where he had been chained.
With the help, compassion, and care of Animal Specialty Hospital of Florida (ASH) in Naples and the veterinary staff at GCHS, Indie has been recovering.
Although he is still healing, he is slowly gaining weight and his personality is starting to shine. He loves to be around people, other dogs and is happy to have the love and attention he has missed. The support, love, and encouragement Indie has received from the public has been amazing. We cannot thank you all enough.

If you have any information about dog fighting, please call Crime Stoppers at 800-780-TIPS. You can remain anonymous and receive up to a $6,000 reward if your tip leads to an arrest.

Sunset: Second Chance
Fund Receipient

Meet Sunset who, on January 27th 2015, became a Gulf Coast Humane Society Second Chance Fund recipient. Sunset was found in Lehigh Acres, Florida in rough shape. She is known as a bait dog, which is a dog used to train other dogs to fight. Sunset has come a long way on her path to recovery. The GCHS Staff has been blown away by the amount of support and encouragement we’ve received over Facebook and Instagram for Sunset. Sunset was adopted March 5th to a wonderful family. If it wasn’t for the Second Chance Fund, Sunset wouldn’t have been given a much deserved Second Chance.

Jimmy: One of Our Beloved
Second Chance Fund Recipients

Jimmy, a 1 year old Terrier Mix, was found in Clewiston, Florida, under a porch, with an open wound exposing bone the length of his back right leg. Because of the severity of his injury, Clewiston Animal Control transferred him to the GCHS. Jimmy arrived at the GCHS on July 27th and was immediately transported to Specialized Veterinary Services for treatment. It is estimated that Jimmy had been keeping the wound clean himself for approximately two weeks. His injuries were so extensive that the best course of action for Dr. Cavanaugh, DVM was to amputate Jimmy’s leg.

Along with being severely emaciated, Jimmy also has scar patterns on his head, legs and body that are consistent with being used as a “bait dog.” He is acclimating well since his amputation and is currently recovering from surgery at the GCHS.

Ellie, One of Our Second
Chance Fund Recipients

Ellie, an approximately 2 year old Hound Mix was found in Clewiston, Florida with an injury to her back right paw. While the Gulf Coast Humane Society and Clewiston Animal Control are unsure what caused the injury, it was substantial enough to have cut through bone, leaving an open wound with bone exposed. Ellie was transferred to the GCHS and went immediately into surgery where her toe was amputated.

Despite the pain she must have been in, Ellie’s tail never stopped wagging. She’s a sweet girl who enjoys attention, sitting in your lap and holding your hand.

Her continued care and medication was required from the Second Chance Fund.

Mojo: The Inspiration for
the Second Chance Fund

Mojo was a one year old Catahoula Leopard Dog mix who was transferred to the GCHS from Lee County Domestic Animal Services. When Mojo arrived he had what was thought to be a spider bite on his left leg. However, the so called “spider bite,” would not respond to antibiotics and Mojo’s condition worsened. To help determine what was really wrong with him, a skin biopsy punch was used to acquire four samples of the dermal mass from four different areas by Dr. Eisele at Specialized Veterinary Services.

The results showed that Mojo had Pythiosis which is caused by a fungal-like aquatic organism that exists in stagnant water or on grasses that have been exposed to stagnant water. The disease is most common in tropical or sub-tropical climates. In the USA it tends to be seasonal, most commonly between August and December, and can affect dogs, cats, and horses. In dogs, Pythiosis can occur on the skin, gastrointestinal, or as multi-systemic forms.

Mojo was afflicted with the skin form of Pythiosis which occurs when the organism comes in contact with an open wound. Signs of the disease include wounds that won’t heal properly, ulcerated small lumps, and fistulas. Hairless lesions are most commonly found on the tail, legs, stomach, neck, and face. They are extremely itchy and irritating to the dog. Surgery to remove the affected tissue, leaving wide margins, can be effective for the skin and gastrointestinal forms but will not cure the dog if it does not completely eliminate all of the lesions. As in Mojo’s case, limb amputation was necessary. After amputation anti-fungal medication is given for 2-4 months.

To give Mojo the best chance of survival and quality of life, it was decided that his left hind leg needed to be amputated. Even with a discount, the cost for the surgery amounted to $1,330.00 which did not include previous or continuing medication.

Mojo’s situation, and our dedication to all of our animals, has spurred us to start the Second Chance Fund. This fund will allow people to donate directly to the care of our sick and special needs animals, which helps to alleviate some of the financial cost that comes with their needed care. We’ve added a separate way to donate on the website and you can make checks payable to GCHS Second Chance Fund. All monies donated to the Second Chance Fund will directly offset the medical cost for those pets with needs beyond routine medical care.

Mojo found his Forever Home about 1 week after returning to the GCHS from recovering in his Foster Home.