They “forgot” that they had a dog.

That was the excuse our Intake Team was given when Bernadette arrived on June 25th. Hip bones jutting out, matted to the skin with urine and feces. She had allegedly been left to die in a crate for nearly a month, slowly starving to death with no way out. It took immense willpower from our entire team to immediately begin addressing her condition. And not break down from the horror of seeing a helpless animal suffering in this way.

At eight months old, Bernadette weighed only 17 pounds on arrival. But despite everything, she was incredibly gentle and sweet. This failure in humanity had not shaken her spirit. At every turn, Bernadette showed us just how resilient dogs can be. And we made a promise to never let her suffer again.

And now? Bernadette is thriving in a foster home. Gaining weight and learning what it means to be loved. She has put on five pounds already, and will hopefully be in a healthy condition to be spayed within the week.

Animals like Bernadette can only have this chance at a happy life with your support. We have received a 10k MATCH thanks to a generous donor. Which means your dollars are DOUBLED to support Great Plains SPCA. DONATE TODAY during our Lend A Paw Donation Drive, and lend a paw to numerous pets who depend on us to be saved.

The post Owners “Forgot” They Had A Dog – Bernadette’s Story appeared first on Great Plains SPCA.

Our HERO Team searched the surrounding area and found a wire crate left in the woods. We moved toward the crate and the puppy we had been looking for emerged from a nearby tire. His tail was low, terrified, and hungry after an unknown period of time without food. The chain was no longer wrapped around his neck, but even from a distance you could see the damage that it had done.

With a little bit of wet food and coaxing, pup was safely loaded into the van and immediately taken to Great Plains SPCA. Now named Dunbar, our little rescue got his wounds cleaned and treated by our Shelter Medicine Team, plenty of treats, and a whole lot of love from our staff. Despite a life of hardship, Dunbar was all tail wags and kisses to thank his rescuers for saving him from what could have been a tragic end of his life due to starvation or infection of his injuries.

Little Dunbar will now receive all of the care that he needs to thrive. DONATE NOW to help us rescue more pets like Dunbar, and your impact will be MATCHED up to $150,000 during our Lend A Paw Match Campaign.

The post HERO Team Rescue – Dunbar’s Story appeared first on Great Plains SPCA.

On Thursday morning, May 30th, our HERO Outreach Team was alerted to a dog that was found living in a wire crate outdoors. His back legs are damaged, and appeared to have been wrapped by a veterinarian. We expected to simply check in, make contact with the owner and come up with a plan to bring the pup inside and take a look at this injuries. But what we ultimately discovered on arrival was horrifying.

A pungent odor was the first thing that our team noticed, even when standing a few feet away from Vince in his crate. He was unable to place any weight on one of his paws, and the other foot was clearly causing him excruciating pain. We learned that Vince had been attacked by a dog, and had received some assistance at a local vet. But his owner was struggling with dementia, and could not provide the care that this poor pup so desperately needed. We swiftly got permission to bring Vince to Great Plains SPCA and rushed him to our Shelter Medicine Team for immediate medical evaluation and intensive care.

A slow removal of the bandages revealed extensive wounds to his back legs and paws. One of his toes had been completely severed, and the entire area was inflamed and infected. As our team continued his care, Vince gave them nothing but love. As he accepted pets and hugs, Vince allowed our staff to reassure him as we got a complete picture of his needs.

Vince currently requires pain medication, extreme activity restriction, and daily bandage changes to address his wounds. Our veterinary team is watching Vince carefully each day, and his needs may change depending on how well his injuries are able to heal. Vince’s recovery will take time and we will do everything in our power to see that Vince has a brighter future.

During our Lend-A-Paw donation drive, your donation is MATCHED up to $150,000 to save lives like Vince’s. Our goal is to raise $380,000 by July 31st, so that we can continue to have a life-changing impact in our community. Please consider donating today.

The post Vince’s Story – Saved By Our HERO Team appeared first on Great Plains SPCA.

On May 4th, a good Samaritan came across Gatsby in a local park, barely able to move due to how matted his fur had become. The bystander immediately called Great Plains SPCA, and rushed Gatsby to our shelter for help.

Our Intake Team, many of whom have been in animal welfare for years, noted that Gatsby was “the worst matted fur they had ever seen.” Gatsby couldn’t see because of the matts, and his feces were trapped against his skin. Creating excruciatingly painful inflammation on his hind end. We sedated Gatsby to ease his suffering through the shaving process, and our Shelter Medicine Team spent over an hour removing the matted fur as gently as possible.

In his first few days, Gatsby was nauseous and lethargic. But with rest and recovery, we have seen his silly personality grow brighter with each moment that passes. Gatsby loves toys, snuggles, and has never met a stranger. He loves dogs and humans equally, and our little survivor is beginning to thrive after such a heartbreaking start to shelter life.

Thank you to everyone who has followed Gatsby’s journey. Show your support for Gatsby and numerous other shelter animals in need by donating today.

The post The Worst Matted Fur We’ve Seen In Years appeared first on Great Plains SPCA.

Despite such a horrific start to life, Coffee Bean proved to be full of nothing but love. He is playful, happy, and making the most of his time in foster. We gave Coffee Bean every opportunity to explore the world and learn what it meant to be a beloved canine companion. Great Plains SPCA provided a special harness, stroller for neighborhood walks, and eventually ordered a customized wheelchair that would allow Coffee Bean to run and play to his heart’s content. Months have gone by with his court case pending, and Coffee Bean’s joy for life has continued to grow.

After two full months of waiting, Coffee Bean was legally surrendered to Great Plains SPCA. Allowing our Shelter Medicine Team to pursue more information about Coffee Bean’s paralysis. MRIs performed by a radiologist cannot confirm whether Coffee Bean will ever walk again but we are committed to giving this resilient dog everything he needs to thrive, and have already started a physical therapy plan to help improve Coffee Bean’s mobility in his hind legs.

And now, we have been notified that Coffee Bean’s former owner has been charged with felony animal cruelty in Johnson County. With the uptick in neglect that we have seen recently, we want to sincerely thank Johnson County. For taking on this case, and joining us in the fight to combat animal cruelty.

Coffee Bean is still searching for his forever home, while we wait for justice to be served. Email foster@greatplainsspca.org to adopt Coffee Bean. Please consider donating to support not only for Coffee Bean, but every animal in desperate need of our help.

The post The Story of Coffee Bean – The Paralyzed Dog appeared first on Great Plains SPCA.

Nellie is estimated to be a two-year-old Heeler/Shepherd weighing in at only 35 pounds. After a life of unknown turmoil she is reasonably protective of her babies. But with a few soft treats and love, she has melted into the laps of every person she met. All eight of her puppies are healthy, chunky, and learning to play as their little bodies continue to grow. Names haven’t been decided just yet, but our dedicated foster is looking forward to seeing their personalities and choosing names that fit them perfectly. There’s a good mix of sassy, sweet, and everything in-between with this litter!

Our foster mom has promised to keep us updated on the shenanigans that this spunky litter gets up to. Keep an eye on our social media for more puppy cuteness! We couldn’t say YES to cases like this without your support. Click the button below to support our shelter, and the homeless animals that walk through our doors every day.

The post Mom & Eight Puppies now SAFE at Great Plains SPCA appeared first on Great Plains SPCA.

It’s a common belief that dogs and cats are more resistant than people to cold weather because of their fur, but it’s untrue. Like people, cats and dogs are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia and should be kept inside. Longer-haired and thick-coated dog breeds, such as huskies and other dogs bred for colder climates, are more tolerant of cold weather, but no pet should be left outside for long periods in below freezing temperatures. We don’t recommend keeping any pet outside for long periods of time, but if you are unable to keep your pet inside during cold weather follow these tips to keep your pets safe during winter weather.

Provide Shelter

CATS/COMMUNITY CATS should have a clean, warm place:

• Community or “feral” cats have likely found a warm place to hide, but providing shelter is ideal.
• Styrofoam coolers act a low-cost and efficient shelters. Simply cut a hole for entry on the long side, stuff with straw and replace the lid.
• Always bang on your hood before starting your car as cats and other small animals may hide near a car engine.

DOGS should have a good doghouse with:

• A dry, draft-free space that is big enough for them to sit and lie down comfortably but small enough to hold in their body heat.
• A raised floor that a few inches off the ground and insulated with straw or cedar shavings. (Note: Change the straw or cedar bedding regularly: every month or sooner if it becomes wet.)
• An opening that faces away from the wind – i.e., turn the house so that the opening does not face the west wind. Cover the doorway with burlap or plastic sheeting to help retain your pet’s heat.

Items to keep an eye on during winter weather

WATER: Check your pet’s water source daily. Make sure there is plenty of clean water and that it is not frozen! If it freezes, break the ice, or empty the bowl and replace the water. Use a ceramic or hard plastic water bowl that will not tip over.

FOOD: Feed enough good quality food to keep your pet warm. Dogs and cats need more food in the winter to generate extra heat for warmth.

EXERCISE: Allow your pet to exercise every day. Exercise will help your pet generate body heat to keep warm. Spend time with your pet, play tug with dogs, take them for a walk. Barking is another way that dogs will generate some heat to stay warm, but it is often not appreciated by your neighbors.

GROOMING: Keep your pet’s fur groomed and unmatted. Matted fur won’t protect from the cold. Keep your pet dry. Wet fur can cause your pet to become extremely cold (hypothermia).

Watch for signs of frost bite: Pale, gray skin; Skin that is cold and hard; Tissue looks red when it thaws and turns black a few days later. If your pet becomes excessively cold (hypothermia), warm them up slowly. If you do it too rapidly it may cause more problems for your pet.

Contact the Great Plains SPCA HERO Team at HERO@greatplainsspca.org for assistance providing a pet with proper shelter or if you know of a pet in need. The HERO Team will provide crates and training information for bringing outdoor pets inside, especially during dangerously cold weather. If you would like to donate to help us build crate kits to help bring outdoor pets inside, please consider donating today.

IF YOU SEE AN ANIMAL IN DISTRESS CALL 911!

Click here for a printable version of this article.

The post Keeping your pets safe during winter weather appeared first on Great Plains SPCA.

Our Shelter Medicine team cleaned his wounds and quickly determined his right front “armpit” had to amputate due to the damage sustained. Removing the necrotic was vital for him to survive. Antibiotics and his body’s strength to fight the infection will be critical over the next couple of days.

WARNING: Some pictures are graphic in nature and are for educational purposes.

Newsweek reached out to us to learn more about Max and help spread awareness of the dangers of tethering your pet. Max’s situation was avoidable with the proper education. Read the full article at https://bit.ly/3hx4Fv9. We also have an educational guide on the dangers of tethering available.

Great Plains SPCA recommends:

• No animal should be on a tether for more than 30 minutes at a time and three hours in a day.

• Animals should have fresh water and shelter while on a tether.

• All animals should be supervised while on a tether.

Max still has a long road to recovery and is not out of the woods yet due to his infection. He is able to walk a bit but hasn’t had much of an appetite. Keeping him fed during this time is vital for his recovery. Our Shelter Medicine team informed us that his prognosis is trending in the right direction. We will be keeping a close eye on him in the coming days and weeks.

Max will eventually be available for adoption, once he heals and is medically cleared. If you would like to support Max and animals like him while they recover and wait for adoption, please consider donating.

The post The Dangers of Tethering appeared first on Great Plains SPCA.

Our teams strive to give the animals that come through our doors the best chance for happiness. When pets like Phoebe arrive, they receive a full medical evaluation, preventive medicine, spay/neuter services, and microchipping. The Behavior and Training Team works with the animals to learn their habits and mentally prepare them to live with a new family. Our Animal Care Team provides enrichment and activities to keep our pets healthy and happy while staying with us. Our foster families help the animals transition from shelter life to home life. Volunteers are vital to our mission by providing essential support to our teams. The Adoption Team is our specialized matchmaking team that finds our animals their ideal families and helps keep pets in their new homes. We all work together to offer a lifelong, full-circle approach for pets and their human companions with our three-pronged approach: prevention, adoption, and retention.

Why we need you!

As a shelter that relies on the generosity of our supporters to provide these services, we cannot do what we do for our animals without your help! During the month of December, a generous donor will match all donations so that we can find a “Home for the Holidays” for all our pets. A gift of $25 turns into $50 and feeds 10 shelter pets for a week. A donation of $60 matched at $120, covers the cost of an intake exam and vaccinations for one shelter pet.

But just like every other pet that enters our shelter, we will give Phoebe all of our love and best-in-class care until she finds her forever home. Despite her hardships, Phoebe is affectionate, playful, wiggly, and full of puppy kisses. She would make a wonderful companion, and her bright spirit fuels our fire to continue helping animals in need. You can view her profile here or help support more animals like Phoebe by clicking the button below.

The post Help Find Phoebe a Home for the Holidays appeared first on Great Plains SPCA.

During our Lend A Paw donation drive:

• We took in 423 new animals
• We adopted out 403 animals
• Our Shelter Medicine Team performed
  – 342 spays/neuters
  – 22 dental surgeries
  – 11 other surgeries that include removing bladder stones and tumors, previous surgery repairs, removing foreign bodies and three amputations (leg, tail and ear)
• Our Pet Food Pantry distributed 6,882 pounds of pet food to community pets.

You are our HEROES. We cannot do what we do without you. This year has shown all of us how tough times can be. We shared stories of  our pets in need like Brodie, Lilac, Prada, Russell and so many more. This summer, you showed us how much you care for pets in our community by supporting our organization.

On behalf of myself and my team and all the animals in our care,

Thank YOU!

Tam Singer, CEO

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