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| PLEASE SEE SCOOTER'S UPDATE AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS WEB PAGE! |
CLICK HERE TO SEE SCOOTER IN ACTION!
Saint Francis Animal Sanctuary is dedicated
to all the animals abused, starving and neglected. May God touch lightly the soul of an animal we did not rescue in
time. The ones that may never have known a kind word or a warm bed and loving human.
Please view the slide show of some of our animals. CLICK IN THIS SPACE.
We are a small rescue operating out of our home. We hope you enjoy
the photos and stories of our animals. Most of the animals will remain with us for the rest of their lives due to age
or illness. From time to time we have wonderful adoptable pets that are in need of safe and loving homes.
MILDRED HIGGINS EYE SURGERY (6-30-08)
| Mildred seems to be doing fine her surgery |
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| Due to the chronic infection and corneal abrasion / laceration she was already blind in that eye. |
| Mildred Higgins had to have her right eye removed |
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| In this photo you can see the sutures where her right eye use to be. |
Mildred Higgins is a rescue from a dog pound. When
she was rescued she had kennel cough / pneumonia so bad we did not think she would make it. She was dirty and matted
and smelled the entire room up while I was at the desk signing papers to release her from the dog pound. She
has been with us for several years now. We had 2 failed adoptions in those years because Mildred just did not want
to leave. She was taken to one adoptive home and she sat at the door that I went out when I left her for 2 days and
refused to eat or move. If they attempted to pick her up she would snap. This is just so strange because Mildred
is such a happy fat little girl here.
| This is Mildred prior to her surgery / eye problem |
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| She loves to play with toys - she has a rubber hamburger in her mouth... wishing it was real... |
Mildred developed an infection in her right eye
about Jan. 08. She was treated with antibiotics topical and oral. The vet said it was a corneal abrasion.
She was seen at the vet several times during the past 6 months as this is where she also goes for grooming. He
eye infection became so bad at one point she had to stay at the vet clinic for a few days receiving antibiotics and eye irrigations.
Mildred had no sight in her right eye as result of the severe and chronic infection. The decision to remove her eye
came easy as it looked like the cornea ruptured and became very wrinkled along with severe drainage. Mildred's last vet
bill was $725.48 . She seems to have adjusted very well as she was already blind in that eye and it was causing
her discomfort. Please consider a tax deductible donation as our vet bills have been close to $2,000.00 this week
alone and close to $1,000.00 last week.
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Your donation is tax deductible - we are a 501(c)3 non profit group and operate totally on donations. We take the animals
that are sick - crippled - and unwanted - we need and appreciate your support. Thank you!
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GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG - SAD ! Ginger was found by animal control of Zanesville OH in an old trailer
long ago abandoned. She found refuge in a place with no windows or doors as she lay on an old matterss
to die.
| It took all she had to stand for this photo |
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| while in the dog pound. She is always willing to do what ever is asked of her. |
| This photo was taken by animal control. |
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Too weak to find food in the wild and too tired
to try this baby just found comfort as the winter faded into spring. She has been on her own for awhile as evidence
of her emaciated body .
Given up for near dead at the dog pound we were warned she was in bad shape!
When we moved her tired body from one transport vehicle to the next tears could not be held back by either of us.
| Resting at the vet now. |
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| This dog will never have to worry about her next meal or where she will find shlter to survive. |
| Heart worm + , blood work normal , full of fleas. |
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| Ginger ate a full meal while being examined at the vet. Her lungs are clear and heart sounds good. |
Ginger is at the vet tonight ( 5-22-08 )
where we found out she was strong heart worm ++ which really did not come as a surprise. Our surprise came when
we found her blood work almost normal in every way. Her eyes are clear and her teeth not bad she does have several
areas in her mouth that are abscessed but in general THIS DOG IS NOT OLD! She has some sores located all over
her body and more fleas then I have ever seen in my life. Her eyes are infected and she is very dirty. One toe
nail tore off and the others only short as they broke off due to length.
Too weak for heart worm treatment at this time
that will be done when she gains weight and strength. Our vet feels she has a good chance to recover from her
neglect. All the diagnostic work was done today and now she starts a treatment plan. She is on antibiotics and will
be wormed, bathed and fed ! It will take Ginger some time to come around and we are going to do our best.
Click here to see a short video of Ginger taken 1 week after arriving at Saint Francis.
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Please consider a donation to help with the medical care for Ginger. We are a 501(c)3 non profit and donations are tax
deductible.
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JACK & JILL CRIPPLED TEXAS BABIES
5/18/08 Jack & Jill Lab mix pups about 6 weeks old were turned in to the dog pound in Texas City,
Texas. They are both crippled as both of their back legs are non-functioning. These are 2 of the cutest little
pups you would ever want to meet. They are going to the vet / ortho consult this week. They flew in from Texas 5/16.
| Jack and Jill will never walk . |
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| We know this and love them just the same. |
| 6 weeks old and taken to the dog pound in Texas |
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| These little babies are the cutest puppies you have ever seen! |
These babies from Texas have a severe diaper
rash because they have no use of their back legs. We are treating that with A&D ointment and frequent bedding
changes. The vet in Texas that issued the health certificate to travel said to start them on antibiotics once
they get to Ohio. We started them on Calvamox and will take them to the vet for an exam and follow up. The x-rays
for their little legs are $100.00 for each pup. Some people may ask why we even bother with tests and exams.
Because they deserve a chance. What if something could be done for them and we did not bother to check with the vet?
Everything we do is double because we need two. The flight from Galvaston TX to Cleveland OH was $200.00 These
pups needed a special needs rescue and they are safe now. Donations appreciated as that is the only way we survive.
| Jack & Jill love each other and will stay together |
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| They are so happy because they know nothing else in life. We love them. |
| Jack & Jill's diaper rash is all cleared up! |
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| 6-1-08 Jack went swimming even with no use of his back legs he still knows how to swim! You go Jack! |
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Please consider a tax deductible donation for dogs like Jack and Jill. The unwanted and hopeless that have
now found a home at Saint Francis.
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CHIHUAHUA BORN WITHOUT FRONT LEGS 5-15-08
I was on a dog adoption 35 miles from my home. I got a phone call and the caller was only 4 blocks away when they asked me to take a baby Chihuahua only 6 days old... born
with no front legs. The low income house had the front door and windows open with a cold breeze blowing in on
the card board box with a litter of babies in it. The fleas were jumping off as I peeked in the box. The puppies
( 4 ) were all huddled together probably to stay warm and this little guy was off to the side. The mother dog rejected
him and the owners were told by friends to euth. the poor thing. With no front legs he couldn't get to the food
line as the others pushed their way up. Please say a prayer tonight ... every day that goes by is good... as he is one
more day older!
| Resting with a full stomach on a heated disc. |
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| This little guy only weighs about 1 1/2 oz. |
| weight 1 1/2 oz. 6 days old and no front legs! |
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PLEASE keep this baby in your thoughts and prayers .... were counting on
it.... because the odds are not exactly in his favor. He is on a heated disc and eating with a syringe. He has
already seen the vet and I have picked off fleas with a tweezers. He is only 6 days old today. WE NEED PRAYERS
ACROSS THE COUNTRY! UPDATE: 5/18/08 This little baby is doing great! He loves to eat and now
gets all he wants without having to fight his brothers and sisters for a place on the mom. Will update photos
soon.
| JUNE 3, 2008 - 26 DAYS OLD NOW! EYES WIDE OPEN!! |
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| 9 OUNCES - WIGGLES IS GETTING BIG... EATING FROM A BABY NIPPLE AND 10cc SYRINGE FILLED TWICE . |
German Shepherd Dog Rescued
He only had hours to live May 6, 2008
| Chance was named by the pound workers |
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| They paryed for a miracle that a rescue would take this boy and give him a chance for life. |
I thought I was a seasoned rescue person.
I have seen it all abuse, neglect, birth defects, amputations, diabetes, crippled and just unwanted dogs. This baby
just made me sit and cry. Saint Francis Animal Sanctuary agreed to take this boy into rescue with only hours left for
him to live. Chance was an owner surrender to the dog pound in Zainsville Ohio. He was turned in and his owner
of several years paid their $40.00 for euthanasia. THEY DID NOT EVEN TELL THE POUND WORKERS HIS
NAME! The vet at the pound examined him and did a heart worm check along with a physical. Heart worm negative
he decided to name him Chance and give him one chance to find a rescue. The vet gave the pound / shelter workers 24
hours. He looked into his face and said he just was not ready to die. We have Chance in rescue tonight and he
is at the vet right now.
| Chance has no hair on his body. |
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| He has open sores on his shoulders that are draining fluid. |
| Chance was taken to a dog pound to be put to sleep |
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| But the vet looked into his face and said "we have to give him a chance" so he gave them 24 hr. |
Chance is only about 3 years old. He is
most loving and will do anything you direct him to do. We now know he does not have thyroid problems. His blood work
came back normal. He does not have demodectic or scaroptic mange, the tests were negative. He is heart worm
negative. A cytology showed bacteria so Chance was placed on a strong antibiotic along with a medication for the
topical fungus / yeast infection. He had a medicated bath today. I know he has to be feeling better then
he was. A punch biopsy was done under local anesthesia which we will not get the results for a few days.
Chance has been to the vet and this is the second
vet that has told us he has not seen anything like this before. Negative for everything! A punch biopsy
was sent out yesterday 5/5 and we are waiting for the results. Chance is on strong antibiotics and anti-fungal meds
right now. He had a medicated bath at the vet. Resting now at Saint Francis Animal Sanctuary we wait for the results
of the biopsy to come back.
| Chance is a young dog. |
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| Please donate so we can help the dogs that need a chance to see how good life can be. |
Chance has been on Rx. medications ( antibiotics and anti fungal) for a few days now. We still are waiting for the biopsy
results and the opinion from the dermatologist in Florida. Click here to see a short clip of our Chance.
FEMALE DOG WITH INSIDES COMING OUT! THIS ONE TOOK US BY SURPRISE
PLEASE DONATE IF YOU CAN! May 6, 2008 *** ( Heart Worm Positive ) ***
| This is a dog that has been untreated for weeks. |
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| She needs vet care and treatment right away to save her life. |
This is part of the email I received today:
I had a lady from the poorest part
of the county call me tonight wanting help with her dog. She said she has no money and only gets child support and there was
something wrong with her female dogs private part and it has been like that for 3 weeks. She wanted to know if I would take
the dog. I told her I would come this evening and take some pictures and would see what I could do. I had no clue what I was
going to see. I am shocked and floored. They have a
female yellow lab Shepherd mix, tied to a dog house, about 1 year old with her uterus ballooned outside of her private area.
The stench is horrendous. It absolutely killed me leaving her there but I knew I would be coming back fist thing in the morning
to take her. That's 9 hours from now.
The lady told the rescue person that the dog has NEVER
been to a vet in her life. She is only 1 year old. We are in the process of getting this dog to Saint Francis
as soon as we can. Requests to transport have been sent out. I have already called my vet and she is going right
in for assessment / treatment of the emergency then we need to have her treated for heart worm! Please donate .... we
are a 501c3 non profit and donations are tax deductible.
We do not ever know her name yet. She is getting
ready for transport here. This poor dog has spent her entire life on the end of chain.
She does not even know what it is like to have a family. Just think back for the last year, Christmas, birthdays, spring,
summer, winter and fall. This baby deserves to find a real family to offer her love! We are going to get her better
and find that home! This is an Ohio dog who came from an area just South of Toledo.
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When we are asked to take an emergency we react right away. We then ask for donations. In
this case everything happened so fast! Please help us help this poor dog.
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MATTHEW HOW MUCH CAN ONE LITTLE GUY TAKE?
| Matthew was a stray in Eastern Ohio |
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| No one came for this little guy so the dog warden took him home to save his life. |
Matthew was named by the dog pound workers.
They fell in love with this little guy. He had long dirty hair that was so matted to his body they said it was hard
to tell which end was which! No one came for him and his time was up. So the dog warden took him home and saved
his life. She took him to a groomer that was a friend of hers and cleaned him up. They found a large tumor on
his rear end at the base of the tail.
| This "tumor" is located at the base of the tail. |
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| You can see the veins making this tumor very vascular. |
Saint Fracis Animal Sanctuary said we would
take him into rescue. While he was at the pound worker's home ( waiting for transport ) they noticed he was drinking a
lot of water and going to the bathroom several times a day. When he arrived here it took about 30 seconds to look at
him and think... "CUSHINGS DIESEASE". I am no vet but if you look down a few stories on this page you
will see "Ginny" less then 2 months ago she was diagnosed with the same thing. Matthew has hair
loss all over his back and very thin on the tail, legs and face. His abdominal area is enlarged. With the increased
thirst and urination it looked obvious to me.
So we have 2 issues with Matthew.... or
so we thought! Yes he tested positive for heart worm today while he was in to have his tumor removed and blood work
drawn for his Cushing disease. So Matthew's tumor removal and Cushings Disease are on hold and tonight he is at
the vet for life saving heart worm treatment. Matthew is only 5 to 6 years old and his luck was running out.
Tonight he is safe and we are going to get him fixed right up! First heart worm treatment then blood work to determine
the appropriate dose of Lysodrin ( $155.99) per 30 pills. Then we remove the tumor on his rear.
| His back has almost lost all of its hair. |
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| The hair loss extends down his sides, tail, upper legs and face. |
Three strikes and your out! Not at Saint
Francis Animal Sanctuary. We will most likely have this little guy for the rest of his life. You see he is so
full of life. Once we tend to his medical needs he can continue to be the happy little dog he is. His
medication will have to be given for the rest of his life. Once again I have to ask for donations. We are a 501(c)3
non profit group and that is the only way we survive. Please consider a donation if you can and a prayer if you like
sure would help too.
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We have PayPal for donations and regular US mail if you wish. Donations sent by US mail can be sent to Saint Francis
Animal Sanctuary Inc. 12516 Cherry Road Vermilion OH 44089. Thank you very much. Donations are tax deductible.
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STARVING BOXER LEFT TIED TO A TREE Update 4-25-08: Joe is at the vet for neuter today. He is HW negative
.... The vet feels Joe is approx. 3 years old! Joe is up for adoption as we have done all we can for him - now
he needs some T.L.C. AND FOOD! Joe Boxer has some hip issues at this time we really do not know the extent of his problem.
( he walks a little funny in the rear ). He had dental work done to clean up his mouth also. UPDATE
5/5/08 JOE HAS BEEN ADOPTED!
| This is a severe case of abuse and neglect. |
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| Meet Joe Boxer.... friendly and loving as can be! |
This Boxer was left in the drive way tied
to a pine tree behind the kennels. He is just a living skelaton of a dog .... hair and bones.
He has open areas on his hip areas that look like pressure sores from laying on his protruding bones. He
had dried blood around his ears which look like bite marks from another dog. The photos that were taken ( 4-17-08
) will tell his story more then any words I can write here. He is cryptorchid as he has one undescended testicle.
His teeth are BLACK and green.
| Joe Boxer is just skin / hair / bones |
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| How could someone let this poor boy get in this condition. |
| This Boxer had to put a real effort into walking . |
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| His weak condition and loving disposition just is amazing! |
We gave him some food and just seems to thankful
for any attention from a human. I would like to think this dog has been on his own for some time now. Because
if someone did this to the dog it would be criminal. I am glad somehow someway he found his way to Saint Francis.
He has to gain strength before we can get him neutered. He is cryptorchid and will need abdominal surgery. He will need
dental
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