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Update, 3/23: After a week in and out of the ER, Baby has been hospitalized with pneumonia. Thankfully, she appears to be on the road to recovery, but we still don’t know why she’s sick . ER and hospital bills from the past week alone are over $9,000, with more expected for follow up x-rays to make sure her lungs are clear, and it’s unclear how we will pay.
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Volunteers from our rescue are raising funds for Baby and Boogie, two sweet older foster dogs (and best friends) who escaped shelter euthanasia by a hair, and need ongoing care as they search for their forever homes.
Baby (6 yo, 68 lbs, female pit mix) and Boogie (7 yo, 78 lbs, male lab mix) came to the Oakland, CA shelter in very rough shape, underweight, with signs of severe medical neglect. The holidays are the unhappiest time of the year for animals in overcrowded shelters facing slower adoption rates, and as older, larger dogs, Baby and Boogie were overlooked.
Both were set to be euthanized due to shelter overcrowding when, in a Christmas day miracle (seriously, it was 12/25), Silicon Valley Animal Rescue (SVAR, part of KAVIK) agreed to pull the dogs from the shelter. However, due to lack of budget, SVAR could only get Baby and Boogie out of the shelter - they could not find them boarding or pay for any supplies or medical costs. All expenses had to be paid by the volunteers who had petitioned SVAR to rescue Baby and Boogie, and thereby taken responsibility for their lives.
Volunteers picked up the dogs on New Year's Eve, 2024, having arranged temporary foster homes for both dogs while we scrambled to find them longer-term placements. Due to local shelter and rescue overcrowding, exacerbated by the devastating Los Angeles wildfires vastly increasing the number of pets in need across California, we couldn't find fosters in time despite extensive outreach efforts and had to hire paid sitters on Rover for Boogie, and later Baby.
While Boogie eventually found a dedicated and caring long-term foster home, he has struggled with complex medical issues. Between giardia, extensive yeast and skin infections, including an antibiotic-resistant infection, and kennel cough, his medical care has been very expensive. Baby has fared comparatively better, but her checkup, screening tests, and chronic ear infections have been costly as well.
Between boarding (about $4,000), medical care and medications (over $6k), supplies including food/bedding/toys (about $900) and more, volunteers have contributed roughly $11,000 out of pocket. Most of this support is from a single volunteer, who is facing significant financial strain due to these unexpected expenses. And we are spending more with every passing week.
There is no safety net for these dogs if these volunteers run out of money, and so we are coming to the community to ask for your help. Every life has meaning, and Baby and Boogie are just as wonderful and deserving as any other beloved companion. Despite the neglect they suffered, both are extremely affectionate and good-natured. Baby loves belly rubs, playing ball, and cuddling. Her sitters have fallen head-over-heels for her, calling her “the sweetest, most gentle, and docile pup ever”, an "angel", and "one of the easiest dogs I have ever taken care of" (quotes from three different people). Boogie has a devoted fan club as well! He is cheerful and adventurous and loves treats, walks, and spending time with his people.
And, of course, Boogie and Baby are both available for adoption (or foster sharing)! Both are fully housetrained, quick learners, and able to be left at home alone for a few hours. They can be adopted separately or, ideally, together.