Dog News

Rescue steps in to help save dog when family can’t afford to treat him

by ADMIN

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lukeLuke, a 10-month-old puppy, was struck by a car earlier this month. His owners couldn’t afford to treat Luke’s injuries and were planning to have him humanely euthanized. Then a local rescue group intervened to change Luke’s fate.

On Saturday, October 13th Luke escaped through the front door of his family’s Oklahoma City home when he saw another dog in their yard. Before his owners could get to him he was struck by a car. His owners rushed him to a veterinary clinic. Luke suffered severe lacerations to his hind legs, but Luke’s family could not afford the treatment Luke needed. They only were able to get his legs bandaged up at the time and pay for some pain medication. They took Luke home hoping they could raise the funds necessary. A week later when they still did not have the funds the family had to make the difficult decision to have him euthanized.

When Luke was brought to the shelter to be euthanized, Cailin Phillips and Stephanie Scheiern with Safe Haven Animal Rescue were there and wanted to help Luke. They contacted the Bella Foundation to see if they could help save Luke. The Bella Foundation works to assist low income, elderly or terminally ill pet owners with the cost of veterinary care when they can’t afford it. The Oklahoma City Animal Shelter agreed to release Luke to the Bella Foundation.

The Bella Foundation worked with one of their partner veterinarian clinics, the Animal Emergency Center of Oklahoma City, to arrange treatment for Luke through a Low Income Assistance Program. Luke is now receiving the necessary treatment. The Bella Foundation contacted Luke’s owners and gave them the wonderful news that Luke was not to be euthanized  and would return home to them in a few days.

The Bella Foundation said, “We are very happy to reunite this family. The Bella Foundation’s primary mission is to assist pet owners when they need it and this is a perfect example of that mission. Luke’s family did not ask for help but we knew giving it was the right thing to do. There are already too many animals in shelters from people who do not want them, but Luke’s family did and now he gets to go home.”