Sally - Helped January 2012

Sally is our first "Feline Friends" recipient! She is a female Calico from Wilkes county. Sally spends her time both indoor and out in her yard. Her owner found her one afternoon all cut up on one side and not walking. Her original trip to the vet just got her cleaned up and looked at because the owner is on Medicaid and couldn't afford X-rays. She then contacted The Sergei Foundation and we got her back in for X-rays. Turned out Sally had been shot with a .22 caliber as remnants of shells were still in her body. It went in a front leg and out the back leg and part of her bones are fractured. However, the vet seems to think Sally will heal with most use of both legs. **Please spread the word; as of 2012, donations to our Feline Friends Fund on the donation page will go directly to help cats!**

Sophie was so close to being euthanized, but thankfully her "pet parent" held off to look for help! Sophie was hit by a car, and because of the owner's financial situation, the original vet that saw this cute Chihuahua said she should be put to sleep. The Sergei Foundation was contacted, and we paid to have her examined and x-rayed by a specialist. The good news is most of the fractures in Sophie's pelvis will heal on their own. There is one that needs surgery. Currently, The Sergei Foundation is working with the owner to look for supplementary funding options, but we will also be able to contribute to the surgery. We will keep you posted on Sophie's progress!

Abby - Helped November 2011

Abby has been undergoing radiation and surgery for cancer on her upper left jaw (This picture is pre-surgery; we will post a current one soon!).  The Sergei Foundation’s criteria for grant assistance is that is cannot be an on-going or chronic issue, which cancer falls under. However, Abby didn’t need help with cancer treatment; she has already undergone chemo, radiation, and had surgery in Colorado for a unique procedure that removed part of her jaw. The tissue that is used to pull over to connect to fill the hole in her jaw is not healing.  The vet states it is because the radiation has made that tissue too damaged because of the radiation. Poor Abby has a hole from her nose to her mouth making it near impossible to eat or drink without it coming out her nose; this can cause other medical issues not to mention painful and is reducing her quality of life.

The owners have spent thousands on care and are in a fund-raising effort to cover this remaining surgery (done at CVS/Greensboro) as they have exhausted all funding, Care Credit, and maxed out personal credit cards.  The Sergei Foundation was able to donate $200 towards the surgery. This was only a fraction of the cost but the owners have been fundraising, selling items on Craig’s List, and trying to reach other non-profits for assistance. 

Abby will definitely still need follow up visits and medicines for her surgery.  If anyone is interested in contributing to Abby’s care, please contact us. 

Lexi - Helped September 2011

Lexi was brutally attacked by another dog in her own yard. Her injuries were so extensive and all over her body that the emergency vet was trying to convince the owner to put her down as they didn't think she would pull through and costs were escalating very quickly. This case is so true to our tagline of "because they are family" and our mission of helping to keep dogs from euthanization because of cost...we just had to help! Lexi was in ICU for many days, but she finally stablized and is now home.

The Sergei Foundation contributed $1,000 towards her care. Lexi still has sizable emergency vet bills still outstanding from being in ICU so long. If you would like to make a contribution directly to help Lexi, please put her name on the memo line of your check or as part of your name in the comment section in the online donation page (on the "review payment" information page).

Allie Grace - Helped August 2011

Allie Grace was hit by a car, which dragged her leg under the wheel as the driver braked. This resulted in her back leg being degloved to the bone. Dressings had to be done three times a week for a few weeks. However, if Allie didn't get the surgery to support that leg with pins, it is likely that the leg would not support her long since the muscles, tendons, and ligments were all removed with the accident. This could result in possible amputation if that happened.

The owner was just diagnosed with cancer when this happened. Financially and emotionally drained, the owner was denied Care Credit as he had been without a job for some time as well. The vet has been working with him to post-date payments, and The Sergei Foundation paid for one round of dressings and $400 towards surgery.

Jasper - Helped July 2011

Jasper secured in the back of a pick-up truck, but the harness was long enough that when Jasper jumped off the truck on his way to the falls to hike, he got caught in the wheel. They removed 6mm piece of material his rib, had 2 broken ribs on his right side and less obvious fractures on his left side. His stomach outline was knotted in an odd position, and an open chest wound. Lastly, poor Jasper had some nerve damage in his left, front leg reducing feeling in that paw.

The owner contacted The Sergei Foundation after treatment, so we were not allowed to help with past bills. However, we paid for a follow up vet visit and possible future treatment, if needed. However, the good news is that Jasper seems to be healing properly, but may have some continued loss of feeling in the one paw.

Sophie - Helped July 2011

Sophie was rescued in April, 2011 from having been poorly mistreated and improperly bred. When the new owners took her to the vet for her first visit, they said she had heart worms. Normally, The Sergei Foundation would not support heart worm treatment as it can be prevented with proper "parenting" care and monthly medicine. However, they adopted her with this unknowing condition. Further, their need was great; the owner was in the Army (stationed in Iraq for 15 months). He and his wife have 5 children under the age of 5; the second to the youngest, Christian, was born with a congenital heart defect in 2010 and underwent two open heart surgeries before he was 6 months old. He had a stroke following the second surgery and was partially paralyzed.

The family having been denied for care credit and wanting to keep Sophie as a blessing that came to their troubled family, The Sergei Foundation worked to pay for half of the treatment with a family member contributing the balance.

Drake - Helped July 2011

Drake is a yellow Labrador Retriever, age 7, who had an accident in the New River. While going after a duck, he tore his ACL when my leg got caught between the rocks in the river. I had surgery to repair it, but unfortunately during recovery it re-tore resulting in a second surgery. A terrible infection then took over my knee requiring a third surgery to remove my ACL implant - having no ACL at all!

The Sergei Foundation was able to contribute $500 towards surgery costs and another $250 in donations that came in specially for Drake's cause.

Sampson - Helped June 2011

Sampson is a white boxer, age 6, who had complications with his anal gland as a result of not being neutered. He developed a serious tumor that was severely infected. Left alone, it could have developed into a serious staff infection and it was not known if it was cancerous.

The Sergei Foundation was able to donate for the surgery to remove the tumor. The owners paid for neutering and follow-up meds.

Luke - Helped April 2011

This is Luke, an Australian Shepherd. Luke is an indoor dog who escaped out the door when a 2-year old accidentally let the door open. He darted and was hit by a car. This was on a Saturday. The owners tried calling all vets for help that weekend to see if they could make some type of payment arrangements because they had no means to pay (owner was out of work). Luckily, an Aussie rescue group got an email to one of our board members and we were able to help Luke. With three days of having the wound unattended, it was lucky he got in when he did; the vet said the infection that had started would have taken his life. The Sergei Foundation was able to pay for vet care, meds, and the initial surgery to try and get Luke's hip to stay in place.

Luke also has a fractured pelvis and his hip was dislocated. The pelvis can heal on its own, but the vet went into surgery to put the hip back in place. Unfortunately, it will not stay in place. However, Luke's wound is healed and he is on pain meds and antibiotics. It is recommended that the owner get a surgery in the near future to create a socket that the hip will stay in place. For now, he is happy and walking on three legs.

Lionel - Helped April 2011

Lionel is a Pit/Lab mix who is only 8 months old. Shot by a neighbor for no reason, Lionel almost lost his life and almost had to have his front leg amputated. With youth on his side, the vet was able to pin his leg in several places with hopes that is will heal properly and his leg can be saved. The owner was able to qualify for some Care Credit, but was $800 short of the estimated bill. The Sergei Foundation was able to donate half of the remaining amount in order for the vet to perform the surgery.

Squirt - Helped January 2011

Squirt is a Pekingese who, because mainly of age and cataracts, needed to have his left eye removed as it faced rupturing. On disability and Medicaid, the owner could not afford to have this procedure done. The Sergei Foundation was able to donate the balance needed by the owners to have the surgery done.

Bella - Helped January 2011

Bella is a Great Pyrenees who got out of her yard. She was found on US52 in Mount Airy, NC by the police and taken to animal control. Luckily, the owner was notified. However, Bella had a hurt paw. Denied for Care Credit, the owner contacted us and we were able to pay for X-rays and some anti-inflamatory. Luckily, no major injury to Bella!

Strangely enough, The Sergei Foundation helped almost an identical case in December 2010 (no photo). It also was a Great Pyrenees named Bailey who got loose and had a hurt paw. The vet thinks it got braised by a trap, as she had bone splinters in her paw. Luckily, just medicines needed. The Sergei Foundation was able to pay for the vet visit, X-rays and the medicine.

Buddy - Helped October 2010

Buddy was hit by a car. Luckily, he had no broken bones! He did, however, have multiple contusions, including one that scalped his head and one that got to the muscle and tendons on his leg. He also had a puncture wound in his upper pallet... most likely from his own canine tooth when he got hit. The owner had only had Buddy for two months; she had gotten him for her son.

Devastated when he was hit and not sure what to do they told the officer who came to the scene that they just didn't have the money to pay for this; they could barely afford their own bills and the mother was on disability. The 911 responder on duty knew of The Sergei Foundation and called us for help. We were able to pay for the emergency room stay, x-rays, and the stitches and medicines necessary to get Buddy all set to go home again!

Molly – Helped September 2010

Sweet, loving, Molly was found in a ditch, not moving. Otherwise looking healthy, she had a broken femur. No tags, no microchip and in a rural area, the woman who found her wanted to save her and keep her, but she couldn't afford the surgery as she was on disability and was denied for Care Credit. The vet said if it was not done that day, most likely nerve damage would set in and they would need to euthanize her. The Sergei Foundation was able to pay for surgery!  I know we normally keep families together,  but in this instance we helped to create one :) We had continued to help with Molly's surgery costs to try and remove the pins. Unfortunately, they were not ready to come out after two attempts. After over a year, the owner had enough funds to get another surgery for Molly to plate the break as it was not healing on its own.

Brandii – Helped July 2010

Brandii has a permanent respiratory weakness (like doggy asthma!) that requires her to be on Temaril-P tablets daily.  She is Tiny’s household sister (the Chihuahua below!).

Their parents are both unemployed and were denied for Care Credit from their veterinarian. The Sergei Foundation was able to help by initially paying for two months worth of Brandii’s medicine. 

Tiny – Helped July 2010

Tiny was Brandii's sibling. He had congestive heart failure in June and has to be on heart medicine, Vetmedin tablets, to keep it under control.  Tiny needed to have a vet visit to make sure the level she was at was still sufficient with a blood test, and she needed additional medicine.

Their parents are both unemployed and were denied for Care Credit from their veterinarian. The Sergei Foundation was able to help by initially paying for the vet visit and blood test, as well as two months worth of Tiny’s medicine. Sadly, Tiny has passed since our help, but we were able to help her stay with her family for several additional months.

Lucky – Helped June 2010

Lucky was hit by a car on June 12th.  He was rushed to an emergency vet and was in ICU.  Two surgeries were needed– a broken front left leg and a broken femur inside the hip joint.

With the expense of initial x-rays and ICU, the parents were denied for the full amount of Care Credit needed to perform the two surgeries that were needed and didn’t have additional personal credit.  The Sergei Foundation was able to help by granting $225 toward the surgery cost, although this was only about 25% of what was needed; thankfully, the owners obtained a family loan for the balance.

Mr. Night – Helped December 2009 

Mr. Night is a Schipperke.  He got lose on Christmas Eve and was hit by a car. He suffered a spiral fracture in his left leg and a dislocated femur.  His right leg had a clean break near the bottom needed a pin as well in order to fix it.  

Mr. Night’s parents are in their twenties and saddled with educational loans and debt.  They were denied by Care Credit from the veterinarian and could not get a loan from their bank. This was the Sergei Foundation’s first request for help.  Having just established, we had very little grant money available. We were able to donate $250 to the surgery cost and put the owners in touch with a national Schipperke rescue that was able to front 50% of the surgery costs in order to proceed. Their vet set them up with a payment plan for the balance.