The Story:

Last July, someone dumped two young pups next to my soybean field in rural Bates County, MO. Watching them become emaciated and knowing the heavy local coyote population, I knew they wouldn't survive on their own.

With the assistance of a certified trapper, I humanely captured the young shepherd mix, Bettie.

Because our rural county has no animal control or shelters, and every rescue from Kansas City to Arkansas is completely full, Bettie's care landed entirely on my shoulders.

Shortly after capture, Bettie stopped eating. Her throat was swollen with a softball-sized abscess from a severe puncture wound sustained in the wild. I rushed her to a vet near KC, where she had to be sedated. The abscess was lanced, drained, and she was treated with a 14-day antibiotic injection (Covenia). I also had them test and treat for heavy parasite infections (Giardia, hookworms, pinworms) and gave Quantum Bravo for fleas.

Bettie is semi-feral and cannot yet be touched or handled. Because she must live in a secure outdoor kennel through the harsh Missouri winter, while she heals and learns to trust humans, I have had to build a fully winterized, safe environment from scratch.

I have spent over $4,000 out of pocket to pull this dog from the brink of death and keep her safe. It's quit a financial burden to shoulder alone. I am asking for help from fellow dog lovers to help defray these direct medical and housing costs.

Where Your Donation Goes:

• Emergency Vet Care: Sedation, abscess surgery, 14-day antibiotic injections, fecal testing, dewormers, and core vaccines (Rabies/Parvo/Distemper).

• Secure Housing: Heavy-duty Tarter 10x10 kennel, specialized transfer cage, and safety ketch-all pole for handling.

• Winterization Elements: Petmate Indigo XL Igloo, specialized Hound Heater & bracket, heavy-duty tarps, peaked roof frame, ground anchors, and a K&H thermal heated water bowl.

Bettie is making incredible progress. She looks healthier every day and is slowly starting to realize she is safe. If you can chip in even a few dollars to help cover her medical bills, it would make a massive difference.

(Note on the second pup: The young lab mix Bettie was traveling with is still loose and very trap shy. She escaped our first attempt, but I am still feeding her twice a day at 7 AM and 7 PM. Once Bettie is healed and stable, my goal is to trap and rescue her as well)