Pacho's Leg Surgery Community Fund

Hola! My name is Cece! I am fundraising for Pacho, a 5 month old skinny, undernourished labrador-mix puppy in need of surgery to set his fractured right leg. Pacho was rescued off the beach with his 5 siblings, all suffering from malnourishment and mange.

Pacho is as comfortable as possible and currently on pain meds, but without surgery, he will be unable to walk correctly and face the possibility of amputation, which has already been suggested. I am desperately trying to save his leg! I am currently looking at all available resources, grants and programs that could help us pay the $7600 quote we have received for the cost of the surgery, a comparative quote for all NYC veterinary hospitals. Sadly I have been unable to find any group or grant that will take on our case or accept our application. I have already spent over $3,000 in capture and relocation costs, inclusive of all needed veterinary care for the 6 puppies, money proudly spent!!! I would do it all over again in a heartbeat, given the chance! Unfortunately, I cannot cover the surgical costs out of pocket and cannot qualify for a new CareCredit loan as I have already maxed out my line to cover all costs for the Mar Chiquita 6. I am asking for your help in raising as much money as possible to get Pacho the immediate care he needs! Any remaining funds raised that does not go towards Pacho's surgery will be used to cover booster vaccinations plus continued skin care for the puppies and be donated to The Puerto Rico Dog Fund.

Watch the play-by-play of my rescue story here!!!

@cecestjames on IG, "Rescued" on * Story Highlights *

MORE ABOUT THE MAR CHIQUITA 6

While vacationing in Puerto Rico, I saw a large pack of stray dogs living in the jungle around the beach at Mar Chiquita in Manati. The pack was mixed with older wild pups and tiny, emancipated puppies with various stages of bad mange (a common and painful skin condition where mites eat away at the skin/fur of abused and neglected animals). Needless to say, after feeding them and leaving clean water, kibble, bowls and toys I had purchased nearby on the beach, I spent the next two days thinking about how to better help these poor little pups.

After requests for help from many rescue groups failed, I extended my trip and spent 3 long and grueling days on the beach in Mar Chiquita, capturing all 6 small puppies with bad skin conditions!!! Many locals were kind enough to assist in my corning and safe capture of the puppies, and I teamed up with a local resuce, The Puerto Rico Dog Fund, to help put together resources and temporary lodging for the group. So far I have raised $800 to pay down $1800 worth of vet bills, and with the help of the Puerto Rico Dog Fund, we successful flew Pacho, Dillenger, Bodhi, Bogie and Bean to New York where they are currently enjoying the first weeks of their brand new lives! Hicks is enjoying a comfortable new beginning with the wonderful team behind The Puerto Rico Dog Project.

With the help of my husband (a dog trainer here in NYC), Pacho and his siblings Dillenger, Bodhi, Bogie and Bean will put on some weight, learn basic training skills, leash pressure and potty training. Our biggest hurdle currently is allowing the puppies to build faith and comfort in us, the first humans these dogs have ever had to show them love and trust. Once we feel the pups are ready for the next step, we will place them with the best forever homes possible!

We appreciate everyone's support and encouragement thus far and the incredible guidance from The Puerto Rico Dog Fund. Please SHARE this fundraiser as much as possible with your friends and community; we cannot move forward with the surgery without your help.

Love, Cece and Pacho