|
 Please help ARF fill a prescription of “Hope”. Your generous gift to the Hope Fund is the only way can ARF help shelter animals with medical needs. Your donation truly makes the difference between life and death. Please help provide hope for ARF’s dogs and cats in need of special medical treatment by donating to the Hope Fund today.
 Sweet Olivia was at a public shelter for quite some time suffering from a painful medical condition they were unfortunately unable to treat. Upon her arrival at ARF, and thanks to The Hope Fund, Olivia finally had major surgery on her knee to repair a torn cruciate ligament. Olivia recuperated in foster care for two weeks after surgery, however she was not to exercise at all for two more months. Early in her recovery, this happy go lucky and fun loving 3-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix couldn’t go up or down stairs, run, jump, or play. As she got better, she still needed someone to make sure she didn’t overdo her activities (especially as she loves car rides and playing with other dogs) and so needed to find a patient family to help her heal.
Thanks to the Hope Fund, Olivia’s wish came true when she joined a new family during the Holiday season. She is now fully healed, loving and friendly, and has brought absolute joy to her new family.
 Julian, a cuddly three-year-old Chihuahua, is one lucky dog. Julian was fortunate to take a trip back to ARF with ARF’s rescue team on one of their visits to the Central California SPCA located in Fresno. Julian came to the Central California SPCA as a stray. During Julian’s physical exam at ARF’s headquarters, Dr. Heather Coburn noticed that he was holding his right rear leg up and limping. Dr. Heather Coburn assessed Julian’s leg to find that he had a grade 3 luxated patella that needed surgical repair. If Julian did not have surgery, the luxated patella would cause limping that would eventually lead to long term arthritis. Julian’s luck held; a surgeon from the Veterinary Surgical associates came to ARF to perform his MPL. Julian recovered well from the MPL and after 6 weeks of restricted activity, his knee was in working order and he was adopted into a new loving family that adores his personality! Thanks to the Hope Fund, Julian was able to have the surgery he needed rather than facing a slow decline.
 Murphy, the long bodied Basset Hound and general love bug, was diagnosed with Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia and Epilepsy prior to arriving at ARF. ARF received a call from the Fairmont Animal Shelter to see if we could help Murphy find a home. His time had run out and they did not have the resources to help support Murphy’s conditions. Due to Murphy’s special needs, Dr. Heather Coburn referred Murphy to be seen by Veterinary Medical Specialists. Murphy had a few seizure episodes while residing at ARF. Dr. Heather Coburn placed a request with ARF’s Foster Coordinator to find a foster home where Murphy would be monitored for his seizures, enabling Dr. Heather Coburn to regulate the medication to help control his seizures. Once Murphy was stabilized, he returned to ARF and was adopted! Murphy requires monthly blood panels as well as rechecks with the internists. Murphy’s blood work and internist visits are funded through the Hope Fund. Without the Hope Fund, ARF would not have the resources to aid Murphy’s special needs.
 “Moxie the Doxie”, is an adorable 6-year-old Dachshund rescued by ARF’s rescue patrol from death at a public shelter. It was obvious to the rescue team that sweet, friendly Moxie was experiencing severe pain in her hind area and was unable to even use her back legs. ARF staff, however, looked past Moxie’s disabilities and saw her strong display of love and affection. Knowing Moxie would eventually become an exceptional companion for a lucky family, the rescue team brought her back to ARF.
Moxie was immediately placed in foster care for some much needed rest and rehabilitation to heal her ailing back legs. Unfortunately, Moxie’s needs required much more to end her suffering. ARF’s medical staff discovered that Moxie’s ongoing severe pain prevented her from moving her neck from side to side. The initial prognosis was that Moxie had a disk problem in her neck. Moxie required a full neurological workup in order for ARF’s medical staff to determine the correct surgical path needed to repair the disk. Without this neurological workup and surgery, Moxie’s condition would have worsened to the point that her remaining years would only offer excruciating and debilitating pain.
Moxie is now in a home where she is lavished with attention by her new guardians who are committed to making sure she has a long and happy life.
 Cleo’s story is hard to believe. She was a badly injured Collie/Terrier puppy rescued by ARF. Attacked by dogs and left abandoned on the streets of Richmond, California, she had little chance of surviving her cruel and terrifying ordeal. But through the kindness of strangers and the dedication of ARF’s Hope Fund, this young terrier mix received the extensive medical care she so desperately needed.
Her early days were a frightening journey for this courageous little dog. After she was rescued by a Good Samaritan and rushed to a veterinary hospital, Cleo’s future still looked uncertain. The hospital could not keep her, and though the time had come to turn her over to Animal Services, the busy shelter could not provide her the intensive medical attention she would need. Sue Underwood, a volunteer with Animal Services, knew that Cleo might not survive in a shelter environment with the chance of infection to her open chest cavity. Determined to save her, she called ARF.
The sweet little dog had many months of surgeries and procedures ahead of her, incurring substantial cost. “Sometimes we see animals that are not only physically hurt, but also emotionally traumatized by their abuse and neglect,” explained Elena Bicker, Executive Director of ARF. “Cleo will need a lot of patience and a lot of love but her spirit remains strong. She is a very sweet girl. Everyone has fallen in love with Cleo.”
Cleo received the multiple surgeries needed and recovered from her wounds. She was adopted by a wonderful family who enjoy morning and evening walks together and Cleo especially enjoys playing catch with the Frisbee.
 Norma is a loving seven-year-old spayed female mini-Dachshund who suffered chronic pain in her back and trouble walking on her hind legs. Our veterinarian, Dr. Coburn, said that the most likely cause for her problem was a slipped disk - a very common condition in Dachshunds. Dr. Coburn felt that, with surgery, Norma had a very good prognosis for a pain-free life and the ability to walk normally. Without surgery, Norma's condition would worsen and she could eventually even lose her ability to walk. Norma was adopted by a veterinarian who will love her and make sure Norma gets all of the medical care she needs!
If you want to help gentle dogs and cats, like Olivia or Murphy and the many others who are rescued by the ARF rescue team, but need extraordinary medical care, please make a tax-deductible gift to the Hope Fund.
Back To Top
Back to Make a Donation
Back To How You Can Help
Back To Home |
