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Since 1997, UAN has helped thousands of animals through the LifeLine Grant Program. Meet some of them:
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Buddy
Buddy was surrendered to Jeanette, the director of St. Seton's Orphaned Animals in Fredericksburg, Virginia . He had been hit by a car and his previous owner was unable to afford the cost of his medical care. Buddy had a broken leg that needed to be fixed with a metal plate. This $2,000 procedure was necessary to prevent his bones from breaking through his skin. Jeanette learned about the LifeLine Grant program through an online search and submitted Buddy’s application to UAN. Combined with a donation from Buddy’s previous owner, and the hard work of the St. Seton’s volunteers, the LifeLine Grant was enough to ensure that Buddy got the treatment he needed. Now in foster care, Buddy is in the last stages of his recovery and will soon be looking for a new place to call home.
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Daisy
Daisy has come a long way from her days living in a tunnel underneath the I-15 freeway in Barstow, California. That is where longtime UAN supporter Jacqueline Patterson first spotted the skittish Border Collie mix. For months, Jacqueline and other volunteers worked tirelessly to befriend Daisy, bringing her fresh food and water daily. After several unsuccessful trapping attempts, the volunteers grew more and more worried after noticing Daisy limping in pain. Finally, one December morning, Jacqueline’s husband outsmarted the witty pup and the couple immediately transported her to their local veterinary clinic. It was there they learned she had a broken hip that would cost $1,000 to repair. The couple could afford some of the cost, but knew they would need help. After collecting donations from friends and volunteers, the couple reached out to UAN for a LifeLine Rescue Grant. Within days they were approved for a $200 grant, just enough to reach their goal and schedule surgery. The Pattersons have since adopted Daisy and recently told UAN, “Many, many caring people fed her daily and looked out for her. It took a village to rescue her, but she is worth it. She now lives in our home and is little by little becoming more comfortable with our family. She loves our two-year-old son very much ... they are very close.” |
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Star
Amanda adopted Star from the San Bernardino City Shelter thinking she was getting a healthy and happy addition to her family. Unfortunately, 24 hours later that was not the case. Star had stopped breathing for a short time during the night and was rushed to the veterinarian the next day. Once Star was in stable condition, Amber learned the little dog had pneumonia and would need intensive care. After paying for the emergency veterinary care and the first round of treatments, Amanda knew that she would not be able to continue Star’s treatment without some financial help. She was referred to UAN's LifeLine Grant program by another animal aid organization. With the help of both a LifeLine Rescue Grant and a veterinarian who was willing to work with her to make Star’s treatment costs manageable, Amanda was able to get Star’s pneumonia cleared up. She is now the healthy, happy family member she was meant to be.
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Prince
Janet welcomed this Chow/Shepherd mix into her home in 2005 after he was abandoned by a previous owner at the local animal shelter. This big, beautiful boy was living a happy and healthy life with Janet's family until he contracted a sudden and severe ear infection. The infection was so painful that Prince would not let anyone near his ear, and antibiotics alone would not clear it up. Prince needed to be anesthetized so the vet could thoroughly clean out the infection, and the cost of that was more than Janet and her husband were able to pay. With the help of a LifeLine Grant from United Animal Nations, Prince was able to get the treatment he needed. Now he’s healthy and happy once again.
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Milo
When Milo's owner passed away, the dog went from being a pet to a free posting on Craigslist -- a posting to which Gina was the only person who responded. Milo, while loved, had not been well cared for by his previous owner. He had a tumor that weighed more than one pound hanging from his neck, and per Gina’s vet it was making him quite ill. Gina, who was at the time unemployed, sold her car to pay for testing, shots and boarding -- but could not get enough to pay for Milo's tumor removal. That’s when she turned to UAN’s LifeLine Grant program and the helping hands of friends and family. With this combined help, Milo was able to have his tumor removed. He has a nine-inch scar as a reminder of the tumor he carried for who knows how long, but it just shows everyone that he’s a survivor.
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Marty
Thanks to some dedicated animal lovers and help from UAN’s LifeLine Grant Program, a precious eight-week-old kitten named Marty now has a second chance at a happy life. Amber, a Florida resident, met Marty in September 2009 while visiting some friends. It was clear to her that Marty was not in good health. His belly was solid and bloated, he had an untreated parasite infestation and was suffering from a rectal prolapse. His owner had no intention of treating Marty's condition and was disgusted by his "gross butt." So Amber and her boyfriend asked if they could take Marty home; they took him to the vet the very next day and learned that the kitten had a terrible case of worms, a horrible ear infection and fleas. Marty underwent treatment for several weeks, but his condition did not fully improve. The doctor recommended two options: humane euthanasia or a $2,000 surgery that was guaranteed to permanently fix the problem. Brad and Amber, both full-time students, had already spent hundreds of dollars on Marty's care and couldn't afford the costly surgery on their own. After weeks of fundraising and daily blogging the couple was able to raise the funds -- including the LifeLine Grant from UAN -- needed to schedule Marty's surgery. The couple raised donations from animal lovers across the world including Switzerland, London and Canada! On December 1, Marty finally underwent his much-awaited surgery. Today, Amber's blog update reads, "He is coming home late tonight, where he has TONS of toys, blankets and even a little Christmas shirt waiting to keep his shaved body warm.”
Watch this adorable video of Marty in action! |
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Daphney
After being rescued from a local veterinary clinic a few years ago, Daphney, a fluffy Himalayan mix, should have had it made. It certainly seemed like she did, until her owner, Alison, noticed that Daphney was acting like she was not feeling well. Daphney’s veterinarian confirmed that the cat was quite ill, and needed emergency surgery to remove the bladder stones that were the cause. After receiving some financial help from family, Alison applied for, and received, a LifeLine grant to cover the remaining gap in funding to save Daphney’s life. The surgery was a success and Daphney is back home getting the love and attention she deserves from Alison. |
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Taz
Lowanna received news from the Pasadena Animal Shelter that Taz, a young Alaskan Klee Kai, needed assistance. When she arrived, she found that Taz could barely walk due to extreme pain. Worse, Taz seemed to be losing the will to go on. Lowanna immediately took responsibility for Taz and took him to her regular veterinarian. There she discovered that Taz had nerve paralysis in his right, front leg, and for the pain to stop the leg must be amputated. With the help of many donations, including a LifeLine Grant from UAN, Taz was able to get his surgery. One week after his surgery, Lowanna says that Taz isn’t letting a little thing like a missing front leg slow him down at all. “I wish I had a picture of him on his walk...he can flat out move!" she said. "Thank you so much for your response and generosity toward Taz.”
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Blanco
Blanco (left) had been Teresa’s faithful and constant companion for ten years, so when he became suddenly and seriously ill, she knew there was nothing she wouldn’t do to help him. Teresa's veterinarian discovered that Blanco had a growth the size of a lemon on his spleen, and it was twisting the organ and causing internal bleeding. The surgery to save Blanco's life would cost about $4,800.00. Teresa contributed what she could and then turned to others for help. The combination of a very understanding veterinarian, help from other animal organizations and a LifeLine grant were enough to get Blanco the surgery he needed. When Blanco got home Teresa sent a note to UAN saying, “Thank you for all that you do for others and innocent animals. Blanco enjoyed a sirloin steak dinner last night. We are celebrating his recovery and he is very happy to be alive.” |
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Shadow
In August 2009, Bryan took his beloved service dog, Shadow, in for surgery to remove an 11-pound mass from his abdomen. The initial surgery was a success and Shadow appeared to be recovering well. But the wound was slow to heal and it soon became infected, sending Shadow to the emergency room for the second time. In the ICU following his second surgery, only a feeding tube, round-the-clock oxygen, and Bryan's love kept the droopy-eyed beagle-basset hound mix alive. The veterinarian gave Shadow a 50 percent chance of survival. Bryan was terrified he was about to lose his best friend and beloved companion. With Shadow’s life hanging in the balance, Bryan contacted United Animal Nations (UAN) to apply for a LifeLine financial assistance grant. Continue to full story >>
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Copper after
Copper before
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Copper
Just four weeks old and suffering from an extreme upper respiratory infection and conjunctivitis (an infection of the eye), Copper was abandoned at a local animal control facility. Shelter staff called Julie, who works at a local animal rescue organization, to see if she could help. To survive, the kitten needed round-the-clock care for almost two weeks. Then, while fighting off the respiratory infection, his eye sealed shut from the conjunctivitis. A veterinarian said the infection was too severe for Copper to be able to keep his eye, but that he could live a happy, normal life if the eye were removed. Julie applied for a LifeLine Rescue Grant from UAN and was happy to receive funding that helped pay for Copper’s surgery. The one-pound kitten came through surgery successfully and was quickly back in his foster home, playing like any other kitten. Julie told UAN, “We cannot thank you enough for helping Baby Copper! He is so lucky to be alive. He will have a wonderful future thanks to your organization!" |
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Zeus
Zeus is a service dog and every day he happily helps his person, Rebecca, live her life to its fullest. But their roles were reversed when Rebecca learned that Zeus was suffering from a unilateral perineal hernia. Rebecca knew that she could not do less for Zeus than he had done for her, so even though she could not afford it, she scheduled his $1,800, lifesaving surgery immediately. She heard about UAN’s LifeLine Grant program and we, along with Rebecca’s other fundraising efforts, were able to help pay for her companion’s urgent surgery. |
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Brianna
Amy, who routinely rescues and rehomes dogs, got a call from her local shelter asking if she could help four-month-old Brianna -- a dog with a broken elbow who had been surrendered by owners who said they no longer wanted her. Once Amy picked up Brianna, she realized the dog needed treatment right away: The longer the injury remained untreated the less of a chance Brianna had of retaining full use of her leg. Amy and her rescue group had raised almost the full amount needed to cover Brianna’s surgery when they turned to UAN. With a LifeLine Rescue Grant, they were able to close the gap in their funds and get Brianna the surgery she needed. |
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Muffin
A pup can’t get much cuter than this one, but if it weren’t for a team of caring individuals and animal welfare organizations, Muffin was destined to have her life cut short at just four months of age. A family surrendered Muffin to a humane society in New Jersey after realizing they could not afford to pay for her emergency veterinary care. Earlier in the day, the children had been tossing Muffin around like a throw toy and accidentally dropped her. Since the family could not afford to treat Muffin’s injuries, they asked the humane society to put her to sleep. Luckily, Muffin’s life was spared since the family could not afford the fee to euthanize her, either. Instead, Muffin was relinquished to the humane society where she received repair surgery for a broken femur and three weeks of post-operative care.
Heather, a freelance photographer from New York, was looking to adopt another dog. She met Muffin and immediately “fell in love.” Weeks later, Heather learned Muffin would need more surgery to correct the injury. She received estimates ranging from $3,000 to $8,000 and panic officially set in. “I am a paycheck-to-paycheck animal lover who got in over her head!” she said.
Determined to raise funds for Muffin’s surgery, Heather applied for financing through CareCredit, reached out to family and friends, and also applied for a LifeLine Rescue Grant from UAN. Thankfully, Heather was able to raise enough funds to afford Muffin’s second operation. UAN and other contributors now receive regular updates from Heather via the Morning Muffin, a daily e-mail reporting on Muffin’s recovery and adventures. “I feel as if I was put in a difficult situation but the universe has proven to me that I've done the right thing!" Heather wrote. "THANK YOU!!!”
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Poe
This tiny stray kitten named Poe was brought to her local animal shelter, at just seven weeks of age, with a broken leg. Her leg was very swollen and deeply infected; it was too badly injured to be saved and the doctor ordered an immediate amputation. Lucky for Poe, Friends of the Shelter, a non-profit organization agreed to sponsor her. The organization was able to afford her initial exam and x-rays but was very low on funds and could not afford Poe’s amputation surgery. Friends of the Shelter was relieved to learn of UAN’s LifeLine Grant Program and grateful to receive a LifeLine Rescue Grant to help pay for Poe's surgery. Poe made a miraculous recovery and has since been placed in a permanent, loving home. She lives with a rescued Great Dane named Lex and we’re told the two are the best of friends.
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Ruby
Despite falling on hard times financially, Jared, a single dad from Kansas, was willing to make every effort to save his daughter’s puppy, Ruby. The family adopted the six-month-old miniature pinscher from a coworker who could no longer care for her, and Ruby quickly made friends with Jared’s six-year-old daughter. Tragically, one day Ruby slipped out of sight and was accidentally crushed by the garage door. Jared immediately rushed Ruby to an emergency clinic where she received urgent care and multiple surgeries totaling over $4,000 to repair internal damage to her bladder. Jared reached out to friends and family for help and scoured the Internet for other assistance. He came across UAN’s LifeLine Grant program and within one day was approved for a grant. Jared told UAN, “My credit cards are maxed out, my house has no equity, and I don't have a savings to speak of ... I work hard to make ends meet but I couldn’t live with letting her puppy, Ruby, pass away if I could save her.” |
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Apricot
Apricot, an eight-year-old Jack Russell Terrier mix, was scheduled to be euthanized at an animal control facility when volunteers at Animal House Shelter in Illinois learned of her situation. Apricot was infested with fleas and parasites and suffering from severe dental disease. Her rescuers knew she would need extensive medical attention to guarantee her health prior to finding a new home. But unfortunately, the shelter’s funds were severely depleted due to an influx in relinquished animals combined with a decrease in private contributions. While the shelter could provide Apricot with a temporary home, they needed help paying for her expensive veterinary care. UAN answered their plea for help with a LifeLine Rescue Grant, and Apricot is thankful for her second chance at life. |
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Isaac
Isaac was very fortunate to meet Eileen, a Good Samaritan who helps run a Trap-Neuter-Release program in Cincinnati, Ohio. A fellow volunteer contacted Eileen after discovering Isaac injured and frail. With the help of a LifeLine Rescue Grant, Eileen was able to afford surgery to repair Isaac’s fractured paw. Isaac is now nearly 100 percent healed and, even better, has a new place to call home. Eileen introduced Isaac to Ellie, his new adoptive mom, who said it was “love at first sight” when they first met. Isaac joins Sophie, his big sister kitty, in his new home.
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Since 1997, UAN has helped thousands of animals through the LifeLine Grant Program. Meet some of them:
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Gunny
A Good Samaritan in South Carolina found Gunny astray, severely wounded and emaciated. Gunny had puncture wounds in various states of healing and far too numerous to count. He was believed to have been used as a bait dog in a dog fighting operation. A volunteer with North Mecklenburg Animal Rescue (NMAR) in North Carolina learned of Gunny’s situation and acted quickly to save him from being euthanized at a shelter. NMAR volunteer Amy Murphy agreed to foster Gunny and raised more than $2,000 in donations to pay for his treatment.
Gunny needed a leg amputation as well as multiple surgeries to his salivary glands to repair crush injuries to his throat. Amy contacted UAN for a LifeLine Rescue Grant after learning he would need one final surgery. Gunny now resides permanently with Amy, who tells us he is now a proud “spokesdog” for End Dog Fighting in Charlotte, an anti-dog fighting campaign.
Gunny was recently featured in a USA TODAY article about heroic dogs!
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Little Dog
Little Dog was lost and wandered onto LaVonna Connelly’s property. LaVonna tried relentlessly to find his owner, but had no luck. Despite her family’s own financial hardships, they decided they would “do the right thing” and foster Little Dog to keep him out of a shelter. They took him to a nearby clinic where they had him vaccinated and neutered. The day after his neuter surgery, Little Dog spiked a dangerously high fever. LaVonna’s family willingly sacrificed their grocery budget to have Little Dog treated at an emergency vet clinic while waiting to hear from UAN’s LifeLine Grant team about their application for assistance. LaVonna was relieved to hear that she had been awarded a LifeLine Grant to help pay for Little Dog's care. “Thank you so much for your persistence, patience and generosity,” LaVonna told us. Little Dog now resides permanently with the Connelly family. |
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Gila
It took a community effort to rescue this cute pup. Gila was surrendered to an animal shelter by her previous owner. At only two years of age, she was living on borrowed time. Gila’s kennel manager allowed her to stay a few extra days at the shelter, while a volunteer adoption counselor contacted Labrador Rescuers, a rescue organization in La Mesa, California. They agreed to take Gila but later discovered she would need an expensive operation to repair a torn ligament. A LifeLine Rescue Grant helped meet the high cost of Gila's care. Soon after, she was adopted by a loving new family!
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Rocky
A Good Samaritan found Rocky as a stray. The cat was full of cuts and scrapes, starving, matted and in a lot of pain. Rocky's rescuer took him to a nearby vet clinic and learned he was suffering from a life-threatening dental disease. A LifeLine Rescue Grant helped pay for Rocky's surgery so he could have second chance at life -- and love.
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Gracie
Gracie was lucky to meet Bark Ark Bully Rescue’s founder, Elisabeth Davis, who saved her from being euthanized at a local shelter in Ohio. After rescuing her, Elisabeth soon discovered that Gracie needed hospitalization for a serious condition that had gone untreated by her previous owner. A LifeLine Rescue Grant helped pay for Gracie’s lifesaving treatment.
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Izabella
The Mackey family was having a terrible year. Mom Vanessa had some medical issues and was struggling with the susequent bills. Then suddenly her cat, Izabella – whom she rescued when her previous owner planned to euthanize her due to illness – began to vomit profusely and could barely walk. Vanessa took her to an emergency vet and discovered her cat had an extremely acute care of pancreatitis. With the cost of Izabella’s care approaching $2,000, Vanessa “cried hysterically for four days about the possibility of losing her” and turned to UAN’s LifeLine Grant program for help weathering her financial crisis. A LifeLine Individual Grant helped Vanessa cover some of the cost of Izabella’s urgent, lifesaving care. |
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Dexter
Dexter's history is clouded, but his future is bright, thanks to a partnership between United Animal Nations (UAN) and the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine. UAN awarded UC Davis a Lifeline Grant in 2007, enabling school veterinarians to repair the broken bones of shelter animals at no cost to the shelters. Patients receive foster care during recovery, usually from veterinary students, and all pets are spayed or neutered. Residents in this program are veterinarians who spend three years perfecting surgical techniques to become certified as orthopedic surgeons.
Dexter, a tan Chihuahua, arrived at the School of Veterinary Medicine with a fractured front leg. Dr. Jen MacLeod, a faculty surgeon, and Dr. Matt Stepnik, a resident, repaired Dexter’s leg using metal pins placed in a cross to hold the fractured bone in place. Another resident, Dr. Barbro Nordquist, gave Dexter and another dog from the program, Breaker, postoperative care—and a new home.
“They are doing great,” she reported. “They can go for long hikes and runs without getting tired. They have a lot of energy, get along really well, and play indoors for hours.”
The LifeLine Grant benefits animals twice, Dr. Nordquist explained. “The program dramatically increases our exposure to fracture repair, thus contributing to our education,” she said. “We also help give animals a second chance to find a good home and live a long and healthy life.”
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Spike
Little Spike, a nine-month-old rat terrier, was spending a relaxing weekend with grandpa Larry while his mom, La Vonne, was out of town. But when a wildfire ripped through Ramona, California, Larry barely had enough time to get out of his house alive and Spike was trapped. Four hours later, after the fire burned his neighborhood and his home to the ground, Larry returned and found Spike, miraculously alive, but severely burned. When LaVonne was able to get behind the disaster line to see Spike, she was confronted with the seriousness of his condition. He has third-degree burns over 90 percent of his body. It would take months for him to recover and thousands of dollars in veterinary care. But La Vonne said she couldn't let money be an issue. "Spike was able to live through a fire, so I was going to do whatever I had to do to help him and worry about the financial part later,” she said.
La Vonne turned to UAN's LifeLine Crisis Relief Grant program to help meet the high cost of Spike's care. Three weeks after the fire, Spike was able to return home to his own bed -- thankfully La Vonne's home was spared by the fire. Spike still has a long road to recovery, but his vets say that he will be just fine.
Watch a San Diego TV news story about Spike (some graphic images of his injuries are shown).
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Buddy
A pit bull in a shelter typically faces a bleak future. That's why Heather, a recent college graduate, decided to foster Buddy until he found a forever home. But Heather soon learned that Buddy was fighting a severe respiratory infection and might not survive. Despite the high cost of his care, Heather couldn't turn her back on Buddy. She applied for a LifeLine Rescue Grant from UAN to help pay for the critical vet treatment Buddy needed, then began giving him three weeks of round-the-clock care. Today Buddy is healthy and happy in his forever home -- with Heather. |
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Phoebe
Cathy Nguyen often rescues dogs from her local municipal shelter and adopts them into loving homes. When Cathy got a call from the shelter about a ten-week-old puppy who was hit by a car and needed time to heal, Cathy didn't hesitate to pick her up. But a day later, Cathy realized that little Phoebe had other serious medical problems -- the cast on her fractured leg had not been put on properly and she had a severe upper respiratory infection. Cathy turned to UAN's LifeLine Rescue Grant program for assistance meeting Phoebe's $2,000 vet bill. |
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Nearly 100 abandoned cats and kittens
Gail was enjoying an afternoon bike ride when she spotted an abandoned house with many sick-looking cats nearby. She stopped to investigate, and found dozens of cats living outside the home, and nearly 60 locked inside without food or water.
Gail learned that the homeowner abandoned the cats when the house foreclosed and the bank evicted him. The cats he left inside were starving and had respiratory infections, and many had eye infections that would require urgent surgery. The local animal jurisdiction, like so many overburdened shelters, could only afford to trap and euthanize the cats.
Gail wouldn’t let that happen. She formed a coalition with other grassroots animal rescues, brokered a deal with the mortgage lending company and SPCA Cincinnati to secure more time to save the cats, and turned to UAN for assistance. UAN provided a $2,000 LifeLine Crisis Relief Grant to pay for the most urgent veterinary care, and also notified local e-newsletter subscribers and Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS) volunteers about the opportunity to assist with the cat trapping and fostering effort.
"We believe we will save all of the cats, and your responsiveness boosted our confidence that we could do so,” Gail told UAN.
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Amber
Maggi and Adam Stone were driving on an Interstate highway in Maine when they came across a hit-and-run accident involving two dogs. Two-year-old Amber barely survived and her mother was not so lucky. Amber required immediate medical attention, so Maggi and Adam took her to a nearby veterinary hospital and had her stabilized at their own expense. After learning that Amber’s wounds would require amputation of her right front leg, the couple adopted Amber and took on full responsibility for her recovery. They applied for and received a LifeLine Grant to help pay for the high cost of her care. |
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Whitefeather (Lucky)
Volunteers at North Star Pet Assistance in Southern California frequently rescue at-risk animals from the municipal animal shelter, a facility operating on a shoestring budget. Whitefeather, a beautiful Australian Shepherd, had severe injuries -- two broken legs and a dislocated knee -- and while concerned about how they would pay for his treatment, the volunteers at North Star agreed to take him in. They undertook an intense fundraising effort to pay for his critical care, and UAN stepped in with a LifeLine Rescue Grant to help fill the gap. Whitefeather is now recovering with his wonderful adopter, Susie, who was inspired by his story to rename him Lucky. |
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The following are excerpts from the many letters we receive from thankful guardians and rescuers:
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Your organization gave us one of the best gifts of all. Our kids’ Christmas is already going to be very small because of circumstances, but it would have been horrid if we had lost this dog too. Thank you to UAN and it's donors! Without the assistance they provided, Diesel would not have had the chance to live a good life in a loving home. Thank you for this wonderful gift!
- Jennifer of East Liverpool, Ohio, who rescued Diesel, a sweet boy who was beaten and injured in an attempt to make him a fighting dog |
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I had to make a decision to treat him or put him to sleep because of the cost, but thanks to your organization he will be just fine. You guys are the best!
- Annette of Somersworth, New Hampshire, who rescued a stray cat with mouth infection
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With thanks to your helping hand, Joey now has a new life, and is making three people very happy. What a loving dog he is, and what a deserving recipient. Thank you for your generosity during Joey’s hour of need.
- Suzanne and Halfway to Home Rescue of Palmdale, California, who rescued a stray dog hit by a car
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