Geraldine's Foster Care
Donation protected
**See below for details on how funds will be used - UPDATED FUNDRAISING GOAL AS OF 8/27**
Geraldine is a sweet Senior German Shepherd that was found in North East Philly near Rhawn & Tulip. Thanks to a caring police officer, Gerri was taken to the Animal Control & Care Team (ACCT) in Philly, where her health was evaluated. The initial evaluation did not give her good news, and a kind stranger (me!), showed up and pulled this sweet doggo out of ACCT and into foster care. I've thus far been general on Facebook about Geraldine's health issues, but they deserve a full description here in an effort to express the urgency of her needs.
Mammary Tumors: It is unknown whether these tumors are benign or malignant. Due to her age and unknown health issues, we have decided not to biopsy the tumors for Gerri's own comfort. We're going to tend to her mental health while making sure she is happy and comfortable. (Please spay and neuter your pets, people. Females that are spayed are substantially less likely to develop mammary tumors. Geraldine is not spayed. We're waiting for blood work to come back before we consider if spaying her is an option.)
Missing Teeth: Whether her teeth fell out or were removed surgically by a previous owner, it is still very important to keep her gums healthy and keep her on a soft food diet. She doesn't seem to mind at all. It also makes playing and nipping with the cats a little funnier.
An Unknown Neurological Issue: Her pupils are unevenly dilated and has a permanent head tilt. This issue is important to identify since she has balance issues and does not do well with stairs, though she's perfectly fine jumping on and off the couch.
Hip & Back Leg Issues: Highly common with big dogs in general, hip issues are synonymous with having an aging German Shepherd. We limit stair usage and getting in and out of the car.
Skin Allergy: Her undercarriage is red and itchy. She does not have fleas (thankfully), but she is an itchy mess at the moment. She's doing well on a limited ingredient diet, but it takes a couple weeks for this issue to clear up, and she will need to be on this diet until the end of her care.
Though we don't want to outright label Geraldine as a hospice case, we are aware that any vet care she gets should not be invasive and her comfort and mental health is top priority. The funds we raise for Gerri will be used incrementally.
**HERE'S HOW THE FUNDS WILL BE USED- UPDATED FUNDRAISING GOAL AS OF 8/27**
First $1000 - "Trust Fund" that will be earmarked for Gerri, specifically to pay for her future vet and palliative care (and possible spay operation).
Next $400 - Reimbursement for current out-of-pocket vet and food expenses (blood work, wellness visit, wet food)
$100 - Animal Control and Care Team of Philadelphia (ACCT) Donation for Gerri's first vet work up
Any funds over $1500 that we raise will be donated to the rescue that is able to take Gerri from my foster care. If by the grace of God Gerri is adopted by a knowledgeable, caring forever home, funds over $1500 will be donated to the animal rescue of the adopter's choice.
STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT FUNDRAISING GOAL IF WE BREAK $2000 AS QUICKLY AS WE BROKE $1500
We are aiming to raise $1500 total for her comfort and care.
Geraldine is currently living with me, in South Philly, with my GSD and her 4 cat siblings. She gets along with all well behaved animals and humans. She'd likely do just fine in a house with children old enough to understand she can't be pestered. She is an absolute gem and it's heart breaking to think that someone felt that setting her loose was a better option than tending to her medical issues. The important thing to understand is that she is safe and she is not going anywhere until we find the absolute perfect next space for her to live. Any amount that you can donate to her care would not only improve her life, but the lives of dozens of other animals, if we can make a large donation to a local animal rescue in the process.
Thank you so much for considering helping out Geraldine. My pack and I are forever grateful!
Colleen Joy Kucera
Geraldine is a sweet Senior German Shepherd that was found in North East Philly near Rhawn & Tulip. Thanks to a caring police officer, Gerri was taken to the Animal Control & Care Team (ACCT) in Philly, where her health was evaluated. The initial evaluation did not give her good news, and a kind stranger (me!), showed up and pulled this sweet doggo out of ACCT and into foster care. I've thus far been general on Facebook about Geraldine's health issues, but they deserve a full description here in an effort to express the urgency of her needs.
Mammary Tumors: It is unknown whether these tumors are benign or malignant. Due to her age and unknown health issues, we have decided not to biopsy the tumors for Gerri's own comfort. We're going to tend to her mental health while making sure she is happy and comfortable. (Please spay and neuter your pets, people. Females that are spayed are substantially less likely to develop mammary tumors. Geraldine is not spayed. We're waiting for blood work to come back before we consider if spaying her is an option.)
Missing Teeth: Whether her teeth fell out or were removed surgically by a previous owner, it is still very important to keep her gums healthy and keep her on a soft food diet. She doesn't seem to mind at all. It also makes playing and nipping with the cats a little funnier.
An Unknown Neurological Issue: Her pupils are unevenly dilated and has a permanent head tilt. This issue is important to identify since she has balance issues and does not do well with stairs, though she's perfectly fine jumping on and off the couch.
Hip & Back Leg Issues: Highly common with big dogs in general, hip issues are synonymous with having an aging German Shepherd. We limit stair usage and getting in and out of the car.
Skin Allergy: Her undercarriage is red and itchy. She does not have fleas (thankfully), but she is an itchy mess at the moment. She's doing well on a limited ingredient diet, but it takes a couple weeks for this issue to clear up, and she will need to be on this diet until the end of her care.
Though we don't want to outright label Geraldine as a hospice case, we are aware that any vet care she gets should not be invasive and her comfort and mental health is top priority. The funds we raise for Gerri will be used incrementally.
**HERE'S HOW THE FUNDS WILL BE USED- UPDATED FUNDRAISING GOAL AS OF 8/27**
First $1000 - "Trust Fund" that will be earmarked for Gerri, specifically to pay for her future vet and palliative care (and possible spay operation).
Next $400 - Reimbursement for current out-of-pocket vet and food expenses (blood work, wellness visit, wet food)
$100 - Animal Control and Care Team of Philadelphia (ACCT) Donation for Gerri's first vet work up
Any funds over $1500 that we raise will be donated to the rescue that is able to take Gerri from my foster care. If by the grace of God Gerri is adopted by a knowledgeable, caring forever home, funds over $1500 will be donated to the animal rescue of the adopter's choice.
STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT FUNDRAISING GOAL IF WE BREAK $2000 AS QUICKLY AS WE BROKE $1500
We are aiming to raise $1500 total for her comfort and care.
Geraldine is currently living with me, in South Philly, with my GSD and her 4 cat siblings. She gets along with all well behaved animals and humans. She'd likely do just fine in a house with children old enough to understand she can't be pestered. She is an absolute gem and it's heart breaking to think that someone felt that setting her loose was a better option than tending to her medical issues. The important thing to understand is that she is safe and she is not going anywhere until we find the absolute perfect next space for her to live. Any amount that you can donate to her care would not only improve her life, but the lives of dozens of other animals, if we can make a large donation to a local animal rescue in the process.
Thank you so much for considering helping out Geraldine. My pack and I are forever grateful!
Colleen Joy Kucera
Give $25 to help get this fundraiser to its goal
Organizer
Colleen Joyful
Organizer
Philadelphia, PA
