HSSC Receives $25,000 Grant for Emergency Medical Care
The Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC), the area's premier no-kill shelter, is the recipient of a $25,000 grant from the Helen C. Schwieder Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. Grant funds will be used for emergency veterinary treatment for urgent cases or extraordinary medical needs for shelter animals.
As a no-kill shelter, HSSC takes great pride in being a resource for homeless cats and dogs and saving more than 3,000 lives each year. All animals receive complete medical care from our in-house veterinary team, which includes two full-time veterinarians. Animals experiencing illness or injury receive the immediate lifesaving care they need, either in-house or through referrals to external specialty providers. This Community Foundation grant will ensure we are can continue to help animals in their hour of need—animals like Fumbles and Rhoda.
Fumbles, an adorable one-year-old dog from a crowded shelter in a neighboring county, arrived at HSSC with visual and neurological abnormalities. After several examinations, including a visit to Dr. Christopher Levine of Levine Veterinary Neurology, the cause of Fumbles' condition remains unclear. HSSC's medical team continues to try different treatments and rule out causes. In the meantime, Fumbles is not in any pain and is an otherwise happy puppy. He is spending time in a foster home, where he is receiving one-on-one attention and care until he is ready to be adopted.
Rhoda, a sweet three-year old dog, was suffering from a dislocated left hip and heartworm disease. She was at an under-resourced county shelter with no ability to provide medical care. Upon arriving at HSSC, the medical team immediately took x-rays and sent them to Dr. John Kirsch of Coastal Veterinary Surgical Specialists. Rhoda will undergo hip surgery with Dr. Kirsch in the coming weeks, after which time she will be treated for heartworm. After her treatments, she will be able to lead a normal, healthy life with a loving family.
Fumbles and Rhoda are just two examples of animals that will be impacted by this grant. Thanks to the generosity of the Community Foundation and numerous other individual, corporate, and foundation donors, HSSC can save these animals from suffering and give them the second chances they deserve.