[Volunteer Claudia]

Double YOUR Lifesaving Impact with a Matching Gift of Hope!

YOUR Humane Society SPCA just received exciting news from Sabal Trust Company that they will generously provide a $5000 donation if we can raise and match that by the end of December! This will have DOUBLE the lifesaving impact for our Hope Fund animals who are critically in need of urgent medical care such as two puppies, Alex and Annie, who recently needed emergency care.

www.hsspca.org/HopeFund

These animals usually have no other option for a chance at a happy healthy future. Our shelter's Hope Fund serves animals who need more drastic medical attention such as amputations, Heartworm treatment, mange, eye surgeries or debilitating diseases such as Parvo just to name a few. As Sumter County's oldest and largest no-kill shelter, we created this critical care fund back in 2000 and named it after a tiny kitten who was cruelly thrown from a moving vehicle and saved by a caring citizen who brought her to us for help. On average, each year, we face a few dozen emergency cases that can reach an average yearly total of $35,000 or more but without it, too many wonderful animals would have no hope.

This year proved to be no different with the many cases YOUR Humane Society SPCA faced. The most recent is that of Alex and Annie, two adorable hound mix puppies, who were surrendered in mid-November. Within hours of their arrival their health began a rapid decline while isolated in foster care. Our suspicion was Parvovirus, a life threatening highly contagious virus which causes an infectious gastrointestinal illness in puppies and young dogs. Alex and Annie suddenly showed signs of labored breathing and an inability to walk. Following our shelter's instructions, their foster parents rushed them to the emergency hospital where they did unfortunately test positive for Parvovirus. They received round the clock care that night from the emergency vet and then the next morning were transferred immediately to our veterinarian for continued hospitalization for the next week and a half. Little Annie was so severely ill, she required a plasma transfusion to keep her alive while Alex was not as severe. Their bill is already more than $2000 and they won't be ready for adoption soon as they will require weeks of foster care to help them gain weight and recover fully.

Parvo treatment is not always successful, especially if not caught early and sickly puppies can be catastrophic in a shelter environment. Thankfully, Alex and Annie were in good hands upon their arrival and our team's quick action in isolating them from any other dogs at our shelter also kept many others safe. But we cannot give animals like Alex and Annie any hope without support from our Hope Fund and YOU. Please help us reach our $5000 matching challenge by Sabal Trust Company and give more animals the hope they deserve for a happy healthy future. Donate securely through www.hsspca.org/HopeFund, text HOPEFUND to 80888 or mail your tax-deductible end of year gift to YOUR Humane Society SPCA, PO Box 67, Lake Panasoffkee, FL 33538 and please put "Hope Fund" in the memo.

Thank you for giving them HOPE!