BVSEC Pet Wildfire Relief Fund (Central Oregon)

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.' " 
~Mister Rogers 

Last night we at Bend Veterinary Speciality and Emergency Center  got our first burn victim from the Holiday Farm Fire. "Blue River" is an affectionate love bug
of a cat who ripped our hearts wide open. Her fur is singed, her ear tips are burned and her poor little feet are raw. In addition she inhaled a significant amount of smoke.  Despite all this she is purring and loving and giving us head bumps. ❤️. 

We have a small good samaritan fund here at our hospital and we are using this to provide "Blue River's" care. However this kitty is the first of many injured and stray animals we expect to see as people search for their beloved pets. Our fund will soon run dry. 

During this unprecedented disaster we want to be the helpers. To be a part of the solution and *not* to create any financial hardship on people that are already experiencing devastating losses - both financial and emotional. 

Our goal is to cover the care for all burn victims that enter our hospital.  And this is where you come in: your donations will help us to help these poor animals (and their families). To give them oxygen and pain medication, to bandage their ouchie little paws. To make sure they are fed. And to make sure they are loved. 

Update on 9/16/20: Our first patient, "Blue River" (aka Sara), is recovering and well enough to be transferred the Humane Society. We totaled up the cost of her care; it was $2574.00. This included oxygen therapy, IV fluid therapy, anesthesia and wound cleaning, x-rays, bloodwork, multiple days in the hospital and multiple bandage changes. The good news? She is going to be okay.  She has healing to do to be sure. But she will be okay.  And second - her owners have been located. They lost nearly everything in these fires, their house, their belongings, their sense of security. But, because of you, they will NOT be responsible for Sara's medical bills. And for that we are tremendously grateful. 

We are also using our wildfire fund to waive our exam fee ($125) for pets of evacuees. We currently have 200+ evacuees in our area - many of them with pets. A lot of these folks are staying at the Motel 8 right by our hospital. Again - we want to be the helpers and we do not wish to place any burden on people who have already lost so much. On a case-by-case basis our wildfire fund may also be used to help these animals. 

We still don't know how many burn victims we will see. And because of your generosity we *might* have more funds than needed for fire victims (time will tell as the roads open and more animals are found). Any funds raised above those needed for these burn victims will be used to directly help other injured or ill animals. We will hold some funds in our good samaritan account so that we are able, on an ongoing basis, to help those with financial limitations. In addition we work closely with the Companion Animal Medical Project  (CAMP) and the Humane Society of Central Oregon. As needed funds may be distributed to these organizations as well.  They, too, are helpers. Amazing ones at that. And we are proud to be part of such a wonderful animal care team. 

Our hospital management team will meet regularly to ensure that our wildfire fund is being put to appropriate use. We are so humbled by and so grateful for your donations. It is an honor and a true responsibility to have this resource. And I can even begin to tell you what it means to us (everything - it means everything). 

In full disclosure this GoFundMe has been started in my name (I am the Medical Director at BVSEC and have worked at the clinic since its inception in 2004). Your funds are going through me to our wildfire relief fund at the clinic (we have a separate hospital account set up for this). I will be writing a check to BVSEC for each withdrawal from the GoFundMe so there is a readily traceable trail of all monies transferred. 

 We cannot speak for anyone else but ourselves. And all we really want to do is help. In any way possible. Oregon is hurting. People are hurting. Their pets are hurting. But we can band together to make things just a tiny bit better. If only for one family, if only for one pet - then we have done good things. We sincerely hope to help a whole lot more than one. 

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

With deep gratitude,  
The Entire Team at Bend Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center