OAKHURST — Although we have seen a low incidence of positive COVID-19 cases among Eastern Madera County residents, the pandemic has undoubtedly had a negative effect on everyone. Then came the Creek Fire with evacuations and devastation to many areas. One thing for sure, 2020 has not been easy!
Due to concerns for their volunteers and supporters, all of the EMCSPCA annual fundraising events were canceled for 2020, which means their income is down. The lack of income does not mean that there is a decline in need! In fact, along with their usual expenses, such as pet food supplied to Manna House, reimbursement payments to local vets for their spay/neuter voucher program, payments to HOPE Animal Foundation for spay/neuter surgeries for trapped feral cats and kittens, and assistance for sick or injured pets whose owners were unable to pay for veterinary care. Sadly, this is not an unusual occurrence and in times like these, and your help is more important than ever so that these programs can continue to help mountain area animals.
In July, they also took on the responsibility of a terribly neglected dog.
Just when you think you have seen it all, a dog that was near death was found along a roadside on July 9, 2020. He would not have lived another 24 hours in his severely dehydrated and malnourished condition. He was taken to Coarsegold Veterinary Hospital by the good samaritan who found him. He was assessed, put on I.V. fluids and full blood panels were done. Truthfully, they expected the worst but were surprised to learn that his blood work was actually pretty good. He had no heartworms, no parasites, no organ failures, but he did have major infections in all four feet, as well as other parts of his body, due to foxtails. In fact, thirty foxtails were removed from his left rear foot alone, and sadly, BB gun pellets were also seen in his full body x-rays. This neglect and abuse had obviously been going on for a long time.
Lucky was put on several medications and once stabilized he was able to have surgery on his infected feet. His vet bills to date are over $3,800. He is now in permanent foster care with an EMCSPCA board member who, fortunately, also teaches Registered Vet Tech classes and was therefore able to administer his fluids and meds at home. After several foot surgeries and recent neutering, Lucky looks and feels like a completely different dog! He has gained weight and is now at 87 pounds, up from 59 pounds, although he could probably use another 10 pounds as he was once a very big boy! His feet are also much better and he has become a bit of a couch potato, but he’s always ready to jump in the car to go to school with his foster mom, and her students love him.
In the photo below you can see Lucky’s progress. The photo was taken Aug. 8, 2020, less than six weeks after Lucky began his journey to a new life. He was visiting his new friends, Dr. Janet Meserve and Tamara, a vet technician. The doctors and staff have all grown to love Lucky. His foster mom’s happiest day was when he began to wag his tail! We will never know how Lucky ended up in the condition in which he was found, but we do know he will have the best possible life now.
Still early in the recovery process, but already looking much better!
Thanks for helping this sweet boy!
Thanks to everyone who donated on the EMCSPCA Facebook page for Lucky’s care. Your donations of $2,240 have covered more than half of his vet bill. Receiving donations for animals in these extreme conditions allows the EMCSPCA to help others who need less expensive but necessary care.
What about the shelter?
The EMCSPCA has been seeking funds to complete the shelter construction. They have worked with several banks and other lenders to secure an $800,000+ construction loan. It has been a roller-coaster ride! Being a non-profit organization limits the number of lenders and also the types of loans available. They have discovered the pandemic has also had a major effect on lending and have been told by some lenders to contact them when the COVID-19 crisis is over, but frankly, they can’t wait any longer. As they continue to work on funding to complete the shelter, they are setting aside funds for items not covered by the construction loan and for operating expenses.
They hope to have good “loan news” for you soon. Your support is needed now more than ever!
To donate online, please visit https://www.emcspca.org/how-to-help/ways-to-give.
To donate by mail, please send donations to EMCSPCA, P.O. Box 1314, Oakhurst, CA 93644.
Visit their website at www.emcspca.org or like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/emc.spca.
