Veterinary Care
It's not uncommon for a stray or abandoned animal (or even an owned pet who has escaped their owner's home) to arrive at the shelter sick, injured or otherwise in need of veterinary care. The Friends help meet the needs of these animals by funding some medical or emergency care.
FANNY’S STORY
Fanny the cat suffered life-threatening injuries after climbing into a car engine for a nap. When someone started the car, the fan belt seared the left side of her head. Tri-City shelter staff raced to the scene to extract the kitten from the motor. They also called Dr. Donna Fuller, DVM.
A veterinarian and Tri-City volunteer, Dr. Fuller arrived at the shelter and immediately rushed the patient – who weighed just 2 pounds – into surgery. For the next painstaking hours, Dr. Fuller worked to save the kitten’s life, cleaning and suturing the gashes to her skull. Bandaged and frightened, the kitten went home with staff member Elaine England.
England had never seen an animal survive such severe wounds. The kitten’s stitches needed to be flushed several times a day. Dr. Fuller had to remove Fanny’s left ear, but England worked to keep the remaining delicate auditory canals free from infection. After months of recovery and care, Fanny was adopted into her fur-ever home.