By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
After a plea from the Humane Society of the High Plains in Hays for funds to help six pets with medical needs, the shelter was able to pay for vet bills for all six pets, and they are now on the mend.
In the last couple of weeks, the shelter received more than $12,000 in donations toward its vet bills from places as far away as Pennsylvania, Iowa and Illinois.
Taryn Faulkender, shelter community outreach coordinator, said the shelter staff and volunteers were thrilled with the donations and the encouraging notes.
"It was very nice to see, and we are all very, very thankful," she said.
Since the announcement, Hugo, who has low thyroid and will need to take medicine for the rest of his life, has been adopted.
Faulkender fostered Hugo for about a month, so his adoption was bittersweet.
Olga, the cat, has been medically cleared and is up for adoption. Olga was battling ear infections. A senior cat and stray, Olga was lethargic when she was picked up.
However, now the shelter reports, "She is more active, more talkative, and eating like a pro! She looks so much better and happier!"
Although Olga was picked up as a stray, the shelter staff thinks she likely came from a home, as she was spayed and is otherwise in good shape.
Mowgli, a rotweiler, is gaining weight, but will still need to put on another 15 to 20 pounds before he is released for adoption, Faulkender said. He came into the shelter weighing only 63 pounds and should weigh 90 to 100 pounds.
"As some of you may or may not know, when an animal comes in this malnourished, it's a lot more complicated than just giving them heaps of food," the shelter said on Facebook. "You have to feed them small amounts throughout the day and gradually increase the amounts. It could be fatal to give them too much food right away."
Mowgli is more than 70 pounds; some sores he had are healing, his ribs are disappearing, and his coat is becoming shiny.
Zena, a husky-shepherd mix, had an overgrowth on one of her bones from a previous injury that was causing her pain and for her to limp.
The vet said if the injury was repaired, the overgrowth would likely grow back, and she would be in constant pain.
As Zena is a young dog, the decision was made to amputate her leg and make her a tripod.
"The magical and beautiful Zena is already bouncing back and adjusting to life with the legs extremely well! She is already wanting to run and play," the shelter said.
Faulkender said the shelter will need to keep Zena a little longer to ensure her incision heals properly. They are considering a medical foster placement while she heals.
"She is very happy, and she wants to play. We got her back from the vet. We took her out, and she was wanting to dive in the snow and roll," Faulkender said.
Although some people might have reservations about adopting a three-legged dog, Faulkender said, the shelter staff are willing to talk through concerns with potential adopters.
She said Zena should be able to have a full, happy, healthy life with a new family.
Ellie and Stephanie, schnauzers, had eye ulcers. Both dogs are improving and can now see. However, they have not been medically cleared for adoption yet.
Both dogs were diagnosed with chronic dry eye and will likely need eye drops for the rest of their lives.
Stephanie is improving a little faster than Ellie and will likely be available for adoption first.
The Humane Society of the High Plains is a nonprofit, no-kill shelter. You can learn more about the Humane Society and see pets up for adoption on its website or follow it on Facebook.
It accepts donations year-round. If you wish to mail a donation check, you can send it to the Humane Society of the High Plains, P.O. Box 311, Hays, KS 67601. Cash or checks can also be dropped off in person at the shelter at 2050 E. Highway 40, Hays.
You can also donate online through one of the methods listed below.
