Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue: Emergency Medical Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
The money was put towards medical bills for a 9-month-old dog named Mango. He was hit by a car and had several broken limbs. His medical bills mounted to over $10,000, including emergency care, surgery, and physical and water therapy.
This grant helped us save Mango, who was moments from being euthanized due to his severe injuries.
How many pets did this grant help?
One: Mango
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
At 9 months old, in search of a scrap of food on the streets of Texas, Mango was hit by a car. Someone saw the accident and witnessed the driver flee. As he scooped up Mango’s bloody body, he called numerous vets, only to be turned away. Finally, he reached Mission Vet, which agreed to assess Mango for free, and so he raced over there. One of the first things done was to scan the puppy for a microchip. Lo and behold, they found one! Mango’s family was immediately called. The staff hoped his family would be terribly worried, but they were wrong. His family calmly explained he was no longer their problem, they had tossed him out three months ago, hung up the phone and went back to their dinner.
Mango was almost put to sleep on the spot, but the vets saw something special in this boy. He had a great will to live, and if given the proper care, could get a second chance for the love he so desperately wanted. Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue was called and given the option: Take this dog into our care, or he would be euthanized. Funds were tight, but we couldn’t let his story end this way, so we committed to doing what we could to save Mango.
Mango had bruised lungs, major blood loss, a terrible elbow fracture, and liver damage and was in shock, but with proper care, he was expected to make a full recovery. His owners may have decided he was worthless, but we were determined to prove them wrong.
Mango was stabilized and had surgery to repair a fractured right elbow and a fracture in his left shoulder. Then he received physical and water therapy and socialization. Once he was strong enough to travel and ready for adoption, he was transported to Virginia. Mango has since been adopted into his forever home. He will always have a little “skip” in his step due to his injury, but otherwise is a happy and healthy 1-1/2-year-old puppy! He has a wonderful dog mom and four-legged sister (fourth photo). They are all loving life together!
