Hope Shelter Medical Fund
Photo by Emilia Gordon
The Hope Shelter Medical Fund enables the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society (BEBHS) to save hundreds of dogs and cats each year. This fund provides veterinary care to all of our shelter animals. Because we have our own veterinary hospital, we are in a unique position to rescue and provide medical care for animals in municipal shelters that do not have veterinary facilities. The hospital allows us to give a second chance at life to many wonderful pets.
We often share stories about the Fund's most notable recipients—animals with broken legs, infected teeth, and even skin cancer who are treated successfully and then adopted into new homes. These treatments can cost BEBHS anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars per animal. However, many of the animals who arrive at BEBHS don’t have severe medical special needs. They may have a few fleas, easily treatable intestinal parasites, or mild respiratory infections. The Hope Shelter Medical Fund enables the hospital to provide a wide spectrum of care to meet the needs of homeless dogs and cats in our community.
Also, every shelter animal that crosses our threshold needs preventive care, including deworming, flea prevention, vaccines, and tests for common contagious parasites and viruses. Though it may not come with an exciting story, this care gives every one of our shelter animals the best chance at a healthy start in a new home. Preventive care costs at least $150 per animal and with hundreds of animals coming to our shelter this year, we need your help.
Please make a tax-deductible donation today to the Hope Shelter Medical Fund. Thank you!
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| Development Department (510) 845-7735, x204 | Hope Shelter Medical Fund Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society 2700 Ninth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710 |
Success Stories
Diamond
Diamond, a young purebred Yorkie, arrived at our shelter with two broken legs! Diamond's story touched many hearts and within one month we raised over $3000 to pay for surgery. Diamond recovered in foster care, and when healed she moved to our Adoption Center where she was adopted by a wonderful couple.
Rocket
Rocket is a senior chocolate lab mix whose owners had to give him up. We found him at Berkeley Animal Care Services (BACS) and fell in love with him. Though he displayed the energy of a puppy, Rocket showed signs of age, including a few growths on his skin. Our hospital staff performed a minor procedure to remove and biopsy the growths, and all came back benign. Once Rocket had a clean bill of health, we made him available for adoption, and he quickly found a home with a loving family.
Lulu
Lulu arrived at our shelter in October 2009 with a long story. She had been rescued from a municipal shelter by a pet store in Oakland, and when they closed, she was left there. She had treatable dental problems and nowhere to go, so we took her in. Labwork showed good internal health, so we performed a dental cleaning and extracted several chronically diseased teeth. Unfortunately, we also noticed a tiny tumor on one of her toes, and a biopsy revealed a malignancy. After having a second surgery to remove her toe, she received a clean bill of health and was made available for adoption!
Blossom
A litter of young kittens was brought to BEBHS from Oakland Animal Services. Two of the kittens had congenital eyelid conditions where their upper eyelids did not develop properly, resulting in irritation and drying of the surface of the eye. The more severely affected kitten, Blossom, had hair rubbing against her cornea which caused severe irritation and required surgery by an ophthalmologist. A local ophthalmologist agreed to discount Blossom's surgery, and thanks to Hope Shelter Medical Fund donors, Blossom had surgery and both kittens were adopted by the same loving family.
Lilo
Lilo came to our shelter with severe hair loss (probably due to a flea allergy), a prolapsed eyelid gland ("cherry eye"), and dental disease. After eye surgery, dental work, and skin diagnostics and treatment, Lilo was a new dog! Her scruffy looks and winning personality quickly landed her a great home.
Eric Weiss
Eric Weiss, a 3-year-old cat, was dropped off at a municipal shelter by his owner and then brought to us. He had a heart murmur and a tooth root infection requiring medication and a dental extraction. After x-rays to make sure his heart murmur wasn't caused by a serious problem that would make anesthesia unsafe, the hospital performed his dental work and he was ready for adoption. Eric Weiss is now in a loving home!