You’ve Got A Friend In Me
by Debra Starr
Jackie
Meet Jackie. She has not one, but two cherry eyes. This petite white Chihuahua has a sunny disposition, but is unlikely to get adopted without an operation. She’s not the first dog or cat to come into Manatee County Animal Services (MCAS) needing medical services nor will she be the last. Animal Services’ budget does not stretch to accommodate the various procedures, but yet, they hap- pen. They happen because Jackie and hundreds of other abandoned pets have Friends they have never met. Friends who work tirelessly to facilitate and fund their medical treatment. Who are these gener- ous Friends and how do they do what they do? Let’s go behind the scenes and find
out. A typical day at MCAS is anything but typical. Between 10 to 15 lost or abandoned dogs, cats, puppies and kittens flood through the doors. Not all are healthy. In fact, statistically one third of
42 THE NEW BARKER
Brad Pit
the dogs brought in will test positive for heartworms, a fatal disease if left untreated. Many of the animals have been hit by cars and suffer broken bones and multiple fractures, requiring immediate surgery by a veterinary specialist. Besides needing surgery, many of the
dogs and cats have severe hair loss from skin allergies or have infected ears or eyes requiring treatment above and beyond the Shelter’s capacity. That’s where the Friends come in. Founded as a 501c3 in October 2016, Friends of Manatee County Animal Services (FoMCAS) is an all volunteer group of dedicated volunteers whose mis- sion is to work hand in hand with MCAS to provide medical care when the shelter is unable to do so. They provide two med- ical funds for the shelter, Heal My Heart and Grace and Friends Medical Fund. Brad Pit is a good example of
the miracles that FoMCAS facilitates. Young Brad was brought into MCAS
Betty White
paralyzed with a spine injury. After a suc- cessful surgery and weeks of therapy, he is now walking and playing like a healthy puppy. FoMCAS helps small dogs too, like Betty White, whose successful eye surgery by Blue Pearl in Sarasota saved one of her eyes. Betty was subsequently adopted and is now living a happy life. Cats and kittens often require
surgery as well. I recently helped transport a recipient of FoMCAS’ generosity. Tigger, a young tiger-striped cat, had been hit by a car and needed surgery to repair his fractured back leg. FoMCAS worked with Veterinary Surgery Center in Sarasota, whose caring staff treated him like a celebrity. From January through October of
2019, FoMCAS has helped more than 50 dogs and cats at a cost of $54,140. During that same period, they have treated 65 shelter dogs for heartworms at the cost of $10,792.50.
www.TheNewBarker.com
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