Author: Katrina Leppanen

Finn’s terrifying tale turned happy ending

Curious puppy Finn, wound up in a life-threatening situation with some socks recently. Luckily, thanks to supporters like you, the McVitie Fund was there to help.

When Finn’s guardian, Ginny, left her room to take clothes to the laundry, Finn took the opportunity to investigate a few socks that had fallen out of Ginny’s laundry hamper.

When the pair left the house for Finn’s usually treasured walk, Finn stopped, sat down, and threw up two socks.

After they came back inside, Finn still appeared lethargic and could not drink water. Ginny rushed him to an emergency veterinary hospital where initial x-rays showed Finn’s intestines were obstructed with socks. To survive, Finn would need $2,500 to cover diagnostics, surgery to remove the obstruction, and a three day stay at the veterinary hospital.

Ginny was distraught. Since rescuing Finn she has delighted in caring for him and spending her days by his side. The pair have become inseperable, and Finn’s loss would be devastating.

Difficult circumstances mean Ginny is currently living in temporary housing and had no funds available for Finn’s surgery. A trusted worker at Ginny’s temporary housing helped connect her with the McVitie Fund and she quickly filled out an application for Finn.

Because of supporters like you, the McVitie Fund was able to provide funding to get Finn the life-saving care he needed.

Ginny was astonished and overwhelmed with gratitude when she heard this news. She wrote to us, “thank you so very much!!! I’m so grateful and relieved!!! I love my puppy very much, this is wonderful news.”

Finn’s surgery went well, and after his hospital stay, Ginny got to take her dear friend home to recover and get a good night’s sleep by her side.

“Due to your support, he is thriving, happy and healthy again. I keep all the socks in a closed basket and out of reach, as this was a terribly traumatic experience for him and I, but you got us through it,” Ginny wrote.

“I truly appreciate the generous funding support you provided and will give back to the Humane Society when I’m able to. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for your compassion and financial help in our time of need.”

Finn and Ginny are just one of hundreds of families helped thanks to thoughtful gifts from supporters like you this year. The McVitie Fund relies on your generosity to continue supporting low-income pet guardians across B.C. seeking emergency help for their beloved animal friends. Could you support families like Ginny’s with a donation today?

Should you have any trouble making a donation on this page, please click here. In the Message to VHS portion of the donation form, you can write McVitie to let us know this gift is for animals in need of urgent care.

The sad truth is, we can’t keep up

Every day, animal guardians desperate to save their pets’ lives reach out to the Vancouver Humane Society’s McVitie Fund program for urgent veterinary support. With applications to the McVitie Fund having increased more than tenfold since 2020, demand has far outstretched the donations we’re able to bring in to help animals in need.
  
Recently we spent $1,600 to help sweet Lily, a dog who required emergency care. I’m sharing Donna and Lily’s story with you in the hope that you can help retroactively cover the cost of Lily’s care so we can continue saying yes to more animals like her today. 

Donna’s application to the McVitie Fund struck me deeply. Her words—“I really need help. I’m praying that we can get help”—echoed with such raw urgency and fear. I could almost feel her trembling hands and racing heart as she typed them.

Donna explained in her application that she is a senior who struggles with her health and lives paycheque to paycheque on disability payments.  

When a friend could no longer care for Lily, Donna happily offered to take the darling pup into her home. Lily has since become fast friends with Donna’s cat, Stripey, and Donna’s daughter, Katie. Katie has special needs and lives with and is cared for by Donna.

Donna rushed to the vet having noticed a dip in Lily’s energy along with bloody-looking discharge. There she learned Lily was suffering from a pyometra infection.

The chance of a pyometra infection resolving itself without surgery is extremely low, and if surgery is not performed quickly, the infection will often prove fatal. I called Donna and the vet to let them know, yes, we will cover the cost of Lily’s life-saving surgery.  

A few days later Donna called me, her voice full of joy and relief. She let me know that Lily was recovering well from her surgery. Both Katie and Stripey had rushed to greet Lily with kisses as soon as she got home.

Through tears of gratitude Donna said, “a million thank yous are not enough for what you have done, and my gratitude will never be enough! Thank you for saving my Lily!“

Donna’s plea is mine too: on behalf of low-income pet guardians across B.C. who find their pets in crisis, can you help? Could you spare any amount and be the reason a pet returns home healthy this fall? 

With gratitude,
Brooklyn Fowler-Moros, Program Manager – McVitie Fund

Help Nylah recover from dangerous bleach poisoning!

Nylah is a sweet young dog with a penchant for adventure. Unfortunately, this has landed her in a difficult situation as she accidentally got into a cupboard and knocked over a bottle of bleach. Her guardian, Hope, made sure to clean up the spill and wash Nylah’s body thoroughly. She was advised to monitor her for any adverse symptoms.  

Nylah initially seemed unharmed, but closer to the end of the day she began displaying symptoms of discomfort followed by vomiting and a bloody bowel movement. Hope rushed Nylah to the emergency vet where they found that she is suffering from pancreatitis due to toxicity.  

Hope is a full-time student who is also the caretaker and guardian for her family. Her limited funds mean she is unable to afford the costly in-hospital care that Nylah needs.  

An anonymous donor is currently generously matching all donations toward the VHS’s McVitie Fund, up to $25,000! This means your donation will have double the impact. Can you donate today toward Nylah’s life-saving medical care?

Your donation to help Milo the cat will be DOUBLED

Spending every day by Milo’s side, Christine was quick to notice his trouble urinating and loss of interest in playing with his favourite mouse toy.

Troubled, Christine rushed Milo to the vet where it was discovered that Milo is suffering from urinary crystals. He will urgently need to be treated with hospitalization, urinary cathererization, and IV fluids.

Christine has had to make many adjustments to her life since she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Through it all, her love of Milo has never wavered.

Despite painful days and uncertainty about her future, being able to care for Milo and keep him happy and healthy gives Christine a sense of peace.

Unable to work, Christine’s only income is received through the very limited Persons with Disabilities payments she receives. Having spent what little she had to spare on determining the cause of Milo’s suffering, Christine has run out of funds for his emergency treatment.

With Milo in need, Christine can’t sleep. “To me, he’s family,” she told the VHS.

An anonymous donor is currently generously matching all donations toward the VHS’s McVitie Fund, up to $25,000! This means your donation will have double the impact.

Could you please consider donating towards Milo’s life-saving care today? Your gift today is a gesture of love that will help return Milo home to Christine.

Princess needs treatment for a severe ear infection!

Princess is a cuddly 14-year-old cat who recently developed an ear abscess. After an initial vet appointment and treatment, the painful abscess returned and is severely infected. Without treatment, this could be fatal for Princess.  

Her guardian, Anna, does everything she can to ensure that Princess is well taken care of. The two have been inseparable ever since Anna rescued Princess as a kitten. Unfortunately, Anna has been facing some health challenges of her own and after using the last of her remaining funds on the first vet appointment and treatment, she is now unable to afford treatment for this severe infection. She has reached out to the Vancouver Humane Society for support.  

Can you donate today to help Princess get the care she needs to live out her golden years without pain? 

Your donation to help Iris will be DOUBLED
Meet Iris, a small dog with a big zest for life!  

Iris’s previous guardian unfortunately became very ill and was unable to continue taking care of her. Amina took her in after the two immediately connected and they have been each other’s loyal companions ever since.  

Recently, Amina noticed that Iris has had less of an appetite and been panting irregularly. Upon further investigation, she found a lump on her side. Amina took Iris to the vet where initial testing determined that the mass is likely cancerous and the cause of her other symptoms.  

As a senior on a low income, Amina always ensures she has emergency funds set aside for times like this. However, she was recently in an accident where she broke her ankle and has not been able to work since. She had to use most of her emergency fund during her recovery and spent the rest on Iris’s diagnostic appointment.

The $1,500 surgery Iris requires is beyond what Amina can afford. That is why she has reached out to the Vancouver Humane Society for support.  

An anonymous donor is currently generously matching all donations toward the VHS’s McVitie Fund, up to $25,000! This means your donation will have double the impact. Can you donate today to help Iris get the life-saving surgery she needs to continue living her adventurous life?