Sharon Shelton

Officer Bill Fusco of the Monongahela police department found Royal chained to a tree on an abandoned property and called me for help. When I arrived, Royal was completely emaciated, full of infection, and could barely stand. Even though I didn’t have the funds, I knew I had to take her. I couldn’t turn away. I had to take her to the hospital or I would have never been able to live with myself. My heart broke seeing her in such a desperate state, so I gently put her in my car and rushed her to an emergency hospital. Royal’s face is swollen with cellulitis, her eyes are swollen shut, and she is fighting for her life. The veterinarians say she needs IV antibiotics, a feeding tube, IV fluids, blood transfusions, and possibly plasma transfusions. She has two tick-borne diseases, and the starvation and dehydration have caused a heart murmur. Royal also needed a chemistry panel, electrolytes, x-rays, immediate sedation, repeat labwork as time goes on, and will need medications to go to a foster. Every day in the hospital is critical for her survival. I am already financially caring for four other fosters and have no money left to pay for Royal’s medical bills. I am doing everything I can, but I can’t do this alone. I need donations of any amount, no matter how small, to help cover the cost of her care and give her a chance to survive. Your support will go directly to her lifesaving treatments. Please consider donating or sharing Royal’s story, and keep her in your prayers. Every bit of help means the world to us as we fight for Royal’s life. If anyone wants to contact Cheat Lake Animal Hospital in West Virginia, they have been given permission to do so—just say you are calling about Royal. The phone number is [phone redacted]. I know if we all pull together, we can afford to save her life.