Bly Fire Recovery Fund

Veterinary Bills and Recovery Fund

Micci Bly
Champaign-Urbana, IL

On Thursday, August 21st, our friend suffered a devastating loss. She lost two of her dogs (Lyric Grace, Australian Shepherd and Norman, Beagle/Bernese Mountain), due to smoke inhalation from an apartment fire. Her third dog (Jackson Brownedog, Australian Shepherd) is undergoing tests and treatment at the University of Illinois veterinary hospital. He will remain there until at least Sunday, Aug. 24. Her foster cat has been found alive and is being checked out.

The reasons for this fundraiser are many. The vet bills currently total more than $2000, with both animals still being treated. Micci will need to replace many of her belongings, find temporary housing and get started again in a new place. At this time, renters insurance will provide only limited reimbursement to help with the loss of her property and there was no insurance for medical expenses on the dogs. As if that weren’t enough, she will have lost wages for all the time that she will have to take off work to deal with everything.

All of this comes after her house was struck by a tornado in Gifford, IL last November. Although Micci and her beloved pets survived, a lot of her personal property was damaged or destroyed and she was forced to find a new place to live. Most of us can’t imagine suffering through one of these disasters, let alone experiencing two such tragedies in less than one year.
Micci is a very giving person who works hard as an Occupational Therapist. She involves herself heavily with animal rescue in many ways. She enjoys playing in agility and other things with her dogs…they were/are her life.

The only thing that matters to Micci right now is nursing Jackson and her cat back to health and grieving the loss of her beloved Lyric and Norman. Those are, and should be, her priorities. She should not have the added stress of trying to figure out how to deal with all of this financially. We know she would not ask for herself, so we are asking for any donations on her behalf. If you can’t donate, please send your prayers or best wishes and share her story on your Facebook page to raise awareness.

Sometimes we all need help to get back on our feet and we hope to help her do just that. “There but for the grace of God go I”. We know she is hurting in her heart for the dogs that can’t be replaced, but we can help her get on with life without the added struggle of mounting bills.

Beth Unser
Chari Hopper