Sick & abandoned, please help to save Banksie!

Taylor and Banksie

Abandoned in the US wilderness, sick and starving, Taylor Harkness needs your help to save Banksie and bring her back to the UK.

With family in Canada, Taylor Harkness (23) from Hertfordshire, decided to take the opportunity to work and travel having secured a two year visa. After a year working in Barrie, Ontario, he earned enough money to buy an old car and made the brave move to cross America by himself. Having been on the road nearly 3 months, he was on his way back and had camped in the National Park in Louisiana. He was just putting his tent away when through the trees, a dog came bounding out, filthy and hungry. He threw it some food, which the dog devoured in seconds. Taylor then searched the area for any signs of his owner but found no one. He came across a Ranger who said there wasn’t anyone camping for at least 50 miles. Taylor also checked with the local Sheriff just in-case but there was no report of a missing dog.

With no collar, uncut nails and starving, this poor dog had been abandoned, probably because she had just come into season. The most sensible thing was to take the dog to a rescue centre to get re-homed but Taylor knew he needed to find a vet first. If the dog wasn’t healthy, the rescue centre would not take her. With very little money left, he just managed to pay for the dog to have the necessary injections but then, after some tests, was given the devastating news that she had heart worms. Not only was she very ill, the treatment was really expensive, over £1000.  Also, it would take about 3 months, during which time she would have to be kept very quiet and would need constant care. There was no way a rescue centre would take the dog and try and re-home her being so ill and the cost of treatment being so high. She would have to be put down. 

Taylor was faced with an agonising decision but there was no way he was going to give up on this dog without a fight. Having named her Banksie as he found her in the Bankston area of the National Park, there was only one way forward. He would take her back to his family in Ontario and try and raise the money to give her the necessary treatment. Once well again, he would bring her back to the UK. To do this, he needs your help. On top of the treatment, there will be further medical bills and the flight home.  All this will cost a minimum of £3,000. You can see what a beautiful dog Banksie is and she deserves the chance to have a normal life with a loving owner. Please help Taylor give Banksie the life-saving treatment she needs right now. Even the smallest amount will be gratefully received. Let’s get her well and bring her home. Thank you in advance for your generosity. It will mean the world to Taylor, his family and of course, Banksie.

Instagram: tkharkness