Tag: Helping pets

The impacts of Covid-19 on mental health, and the demonstrated positive impact of companion animals, led to a renewed call to Vancouver City Council to support an end to ‘no pets’ clauses in rental contracts.

The Vancouver Humane Society wrote a letter on October 5 to council, encouraging them to advocate for companion animals, noting that in Ontario the legislation is better worded.

The letter highlights that no pet clauses, as well as clauses that restrict weight, height, and breed, are arbitrary and unnecessary. Referencing Ontario, it also acknowledges the importance of a process for landlords to address issues related to aggression, noise, and allergies, should they arise.

On Thursday, October 15, 2020, Vancouver City Council voted unanimously to take two actions:

1. To advocate for the province to end the prohibition of “no pets” clauses in rental contracts.
2. For staff to look into what the city can do to curb landlords’ right to refuse rental on the basis of pet ownership.

We congratulate the City of Vancouver for this progressive action and look forward to engaging with them to ensure safe homes for all citizens.

Daphne is precious member of her family.  Her guardian Misty, a single mom, says Daphne loves to cuddle with her six-year-old son, who has a sensory disorder. She’s important to everyone in the family, and a loving dog who loves to entertain everyone with her antics.

She is a great dog, very brave. She is friends with all who know her. I love her like my child and the kids love her so much. I feel lucky to have had this dog in my life for seven years.

Misty, Daphne’s loving owner

Recently, Daphne escaped her backyard, pushing through a loose board in the fence and running out on the road.  She was hit by a car, badly injuring her leg. She required urgent and expensive surgery, but her guardian Misty didn’t have the funds to cover the cost. 

She was in bad shape and we were told that without urgent surgery she’d only have a few days to live.

Fortunately, VHS was able to step in and provide financial assistance through the McVitie Fund, ensuring that Daphne got the treatment she needed.

Could you help today by making a donation to help cover the cost of Daphne’s medical bills?

Nicky adopted Salem 3 years ago, after seeing a photo of him in a nearby shelter. She took her time getting to know him and getting him to trust her before eventually adopting him.

I wanted to make sure that he was going to pick me, as well as me pick him. Right away he was the sweetest boy once home. He sleeps with me almost every night and knows my moods so well.

Nicky, Salem’s owner

Nicky suffers from severe anxiety and depression; which Salem helps her cope with. He is not only is giving Nicky a reason to get up in the morning but he helps her remember to take her medications too!

Last month Salem started showing signs of illness, and after a visit to the vet, he was diagnosed with a urinary tract blockage. Nicky was told that he needed emergency surgery, costing thousands.

The urinary blockage was so sudden, especially since he’s not a very old cat. He’s had no prior issues.

Knowing she couldn’t afford his surgery, Nicky reached out to VHS and several other organizations for help. She told us that Salem is her sweetheart and she’d be lost without him.

The McVitie Fund, generously funded by VHS supporters, contributed $500 towards Salem’s surgery.

Please consider making a donation today towards the McVitie Fund, to help animals like Salem receive the urgent veterinary care they need. Thank you for your support!

The McVitie Fund is always stretched to it’s limits. This week alone, VHS has received more than 18 phone calls from vulnerable individuals in the community looking for help to cover the costs of their companions unexpected veterinary bills.

VHS recently helped sweet little Annie, after her owner Dora reached out. Dora lives alone with Annie, after her husband passed away last year.

“Annie has been my ears for me since 2012 when I started to lose my hearing. I now depend on her at night to let me know if something happens around me. She has always slept with me and wakes me up by barking.”

Dora, Annie’s owner

When Annie started developing eye problems, Dora rushed her to the vet where they confirmed she had eye ulcers that required urgent treatment.

“I am now on disability and no longer able to work as a nurse as I have severe hearing loss. I am asking for help so I can have a few more years with my Annie.”

The McVitie Fund provides a safety net for vulnerable individuals, so they don’t have to give up or unnecessarily euthanize their companion. Could you make a donation today to help Annie and the many other animals in need?

Bev took little Chance in when he was just 6 weeks old. His mom had rejected all of the puppies in her litter and Bev wanted to give this puppy a chance – hence his name!

Since adopting Chance, he has been Bev’s loving companion and best friend.

Recently Chance has developed severe cherry eye, which is at risk of spreading to the second eye. After visiting my vet, I have been told that surgery is the only option, costing almost $400.

Bev, Chance’s owner

Bev is 74 years old and on a pension. The lease on her apartment is coming to an end and she is currently looking for a new place to live that will accept Chance. Finding suitable pet-friendly accommodation can be a daunting task for any of us.

Unexpected veterinary bills can be devastating for individuals who are struggling on low income; that’s why Bev reached out to our McVitie Fund for financial assistance to pay for Chance’s eye surgery.

Could you make a donation today to help cover the cost of Chance’s cherry eye surgery?

Since Vonette rescued Champagne, this precious pup has served as her support animal and has been a wonderful addition to her life.

When Champagne started having trouble urinating and passing blood one day, Vonette realised something was seriously wrong.

I took her to the emergency clinic at 4am and the vet discovered that she had a blockage in her urethra and a large stone in her bladder.

Vonette, Champagne’s owner

The veterinary services cost Vonette $499; an amount she cannot afford as she is living on disability income.

Champagne was discharged the same day with morphine, and Vonette contacted the McVitie Fund straight away to ask for help with her treatment.

The McVitie Fund assists vulnerable individuals on low or no income with emergency medical costs for their loved and well-cared for pets. This program ensures that animals do not have to be unnecessarily euthanized or surrendered to a shelter.

You can help keep Champagne and Vonette together by making a life-saving donation today towards her care.

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18-month-old bull mastiff Taiga, is a growing pup full of energy. She recently tore her CCL (cranial cruciate ligament) whilst running up the staircase at her family home and urgently needs surgery to fix it.

The total cost of Taiga’s surgery and follow-up medication is estimated at $2,570; an amount none of us can imagine suddenly having to spend. Taiga’s owner Susan, is on disability and is struggling to find the funds for her surgery. That’s why she reached out to VHS for financial assistance from the McVitie Fund.

She is my emotional comfort animal and helps me cope with a chronic nerve pain medical condition. Sometimes I think Taiga is human. She is very funny and one of her quirks is sitting on the sofa like a person.

Susan, Taiga’s loving dog mom

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Taiga is a huge part of Susan’s life. You can help keep this paw-some pair together by making a donation today to help cover the cost of Taiga’s CCL surgery. Thanks to an anonymous matching grant donor, your donation will also be doubled!

Andrew and his son moved into his home seven years ago and was greeted by a grey cat that the previous tenants left behind. His family quickly formed a bond with the cat and decided to call him Mr. Earl.

He immediately took to me and slept on my bed every night and was so happy he had someone to care for him and snuggle with. Recently he has found a new favourite place which he really loves – hanging out with my son in his room and watching TV. They have become best friends.

Andrew, Mr. Earls guardian

Andrew recently contacted VHS as Mr. Earl had gotten out of the house and arrived back in rough shape, his left hind leg appearing broken.

He’s been hiding under a table in my son’s room and we can’t get close to him because he squeals and hisses when we get near. He’s not eating, drinking or using the litter box. He is in a lot of pain.

Andrew was laid off four months ago due to Covid-19. A roofer for more than 20 years, Andrew and his son needed some support for Mr. Earl.

I have never asked for help before because I know there are people less fortunate than myself, but recently I have been struggling and this is why I have to ask. We love Mr. Earl more than anything and it would be heartbreaking if he left us. From the bottom of my heart I want to thank you for the support of our kitty.

Our McVitie Fund, generously funded by supporters like you, helped pay for Mr. Earl’s surgery for his broken leg at the end of July. But 10 days after his surgery, the wound site became extremely infected and there was a need for a second procedure to remove infected tissue from inside his stitches.

Mr. Earl’s two procedures totaled more than $700. Will you help cover the cost of his care by making a donation to our McVitie Fund today?

Sweet Duko was taken into the loving care of owner Denise after being surrendered by his previous owner when they became homeless.

When we first took Duko in we were not given any information on his health. We kept asking the previous owner but didn’t receive an answer. Finally, we got him signed over at his vet and we found out that he has a past of seizures and his teeth were also in bad shape.

Denise, Duko’s guardian

Duko needed 14 teeth removing, along with blood work and x-rays.

These procedures cost $1,300 and left me struggling financially with other things, but he was better which made it worth it.

This July, Denise noticed a swelling on Duko’s jaw and he started getting a fever so she took him back to the vet. The vet found that Duko had an infection on his back tooth and had a few other loose teeth that would need to come out. He also needed his blood work taken again and x-rays after the extractions to ensure there were no further complications.

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Even though he shows signs of tooth pain he is still such a sweetheart. He loves my two girls so much; he sees them as his pups. Being a single mom it’s been tough to save any kind of money. I am on disability assistance, but I do work a part time job two or three times a week. Duko really is a part of the family and we love him so much.

Denise and her daughters provided a loving home for Duko when he needed it most, and now they are trying to give him the very best life. That’s why they reached out to VHS for help from our McVitie Fund.

Could you make a contribution to help pay for Duko’s urgent dental work?

Proffit the cat was rushed to the ER earlier this month when his owner Jacqui noticed he was having difficultly breathing. With a diagnosis of water in his lungs and congestive heart failure, he received emergency medical treatment and was kept in the clinic overnight for monitoring.

The bill was $2,100 and I had to borrow my friends credit card. I’ve been out of work because of a car accident and I’m on social assistance while I wait to apply for disability. I do have a part time job waiting for me, but it is closed due to Covid.

Jacqui, Proffit’s owner

Jacqui told us that Proffit has been in her life for the past 8 years and he is loved very much. She tries to do everything she can to ensure that he is well looked after. Proffit has since returned to the vet for further blood work and is now on medication for his heart failure.

He is doing better now and is happy at home, but he needs to visit the vet again for them to monitor how his meds are doing and to make sure his kidneys are okay with this medicine. It has also been recommended that he get a cardiac ultrasound to further assess his heart and ensure he’s on the correct long-term medication.

Our McVitie Fund helps keep animals like Proffit happy and healthy in the loving care of their owners. Unexpected veterinary bills can be financially and emotionally devastating for individuals struggling on little or no income.

Please help Proffit and Jacqui by making a donation today to support his recovery.