Help Camp Fire pig Lilly survive her burns
Tax deductible
I am no stranger to dealing with emergencies whether it's human related or animal related. I have worked as a 911 dispatcher since 2002. I have been there for people's worst days of their lives. My mentally, physically and spirit draining career prompted me to rescue animals as a way to provide myself with self therapy.
My passion for caring for animals in need, with the assistance of my husband, Vince, who works as a police detective, evolved into the Lucky Ones Ranch, a nonprofit animal sanctuary in Vacaville, CA.
We are home to a variety of small and large animals including ten pot bellied pigs. With over one hundred animals to care for...we are also no strangers to animal health emergencies and have become well acquainted with UC Davis, as well as Dr. Varga of Gold Coast Veterinary Service, our primary livestock vet.
On November 20th, Dr. Varga self deployed herself to help treat the Camp Fire animals that were evacuated to the Butte County Fairgrounds. She came across one pig, Lilly who was severely burned in the fast moving Camp Fire. She called me and asked if the Lucky Ones Ranch could help with Lilly's medical expenses, and I said yes, of course.
And upon Dr. Varga's insistence and knowing we could provide financial assistance, Lilly was transferred to UC Davis that very evening.
Dr. Varga and I visited Lilly two days later and spoke with Dr. Depenbrock about Lilly's care and prognosis. Afterwards, I called Lilly's parents, Shauna and Joey Bykonen to fill them in. As an animal parent myself, I just wanted to be able to tell them that Lilly will be okay. Because that's all you want to hear.
You just want to know that your furkid will be okay.
Unfortunately, Lilly is burned at least 50% , if not 75% of her body. She literally walked through flames to escape and it shows. Her delicate ears are burnt to a crisp and to me, resembled the pig ear dog treats at the pet store. Her nose is burnt, her cheeks.. all of her belly and then up her bum and tail.. all burnt.
Dr. Varga is amazed Lilly is still alive, and continues to eat and fight to live. It all does not sound good, but I trust Dr. Varga's assessment that Lilly is a fighter and hopefully, she can recover.
The UC Davis team has done some debridement of the wounds. In some parts, her skin is dry and leathery. In other places, it's beginning to slough off.
We hope that she will be able to regenerate new skin and get through this. As you can imagine, the burns are quite painful and understandably, Lilly spends most of her time laying on her side. She is on a good mixture of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, pain medications and skin ointment.
She's been eating very well and has been standing up to eat her pellets and fruit. And she has been getting up to eliminate. And I also saw some new skin and hair growth on her burnt right cheek. So these are great signs that Lilly is indeed a fighter.
Only time will tell, as her body tries to heal, if Lilly will indeed, be okay. Once she is able to leave UC Davis, we will temporarily house Lilly at the sanctuary as Shauna and Joey have no home to go back to and they are currently living in a hotel.
We strongly feel that Shauna and Joey should not have to pay for any of Lilly's medical bills. The current UC Davis estimate is at $5300.. and there's a good possibility of it going higher. UC Davis has offered to pay $2000 of the bill. We would like to raise $8000 for Lilly to make sure all her costs are covered.
Can you help this piggy? Lilly is technically not a Lucky Ones sanctuary pig, but we strongly feel the need to help Lilly. She escaped the fire and has a strong will to live. She deserves a chance to get the medical care that will help her recover. We would greatly appreciate any donation to help Lilly out.
Thank you,
Thao Le
Founder, Lucky Ones Ranch
All funds secured will go to her medical costs and any extra funds acquired will be applied to other Camp Fire animals.
This campaign has been approved and authorized by the Bykonen family. If you would like to contact them directly, we can provide their email to you.
Estimate of current costs
Lilly, before the fire
My passion for caring for animals in need, with the assistance of my husband, Vince, who works as a police detective, evolved into the Lucky Ones Ranch, a nonprofit animal sanctuary in Vacaville, CA.
We are home to a variety of small and large animals including ten pot bellied pigs. With over one hundred animals to care for...we are also no strangers to animal health emergencies and have become well acquainted with UC Davis, as well as Dr. Varga of Gold Coast Veterinary Service, our primary livestock vet.
On November 20th, Dr. Varga self deployed herself to help treat the Camp Fire animals that were evacuated to the Butte County Fairgrounds. She came across one pig, Lilly who was severely burned in the fast moving Camp Fire. She called me and asked if the Lucky Ones Ranch could help with Lilly's medical expenses, and I said yes, of course.
And upon Dr. Varga's insistence and knowing we could provide financial assistance, Lilly was transferred to UC Davis that very evening.
Dr. Varga and I visited Lilly two days later and spoke with Dr. Depenbrock about Lilly's care and prognosis. Afterwards, I called Lilly's parents, Shauna and Joey Bykonen to fill them in. As an animal parent myself, I just wanted to be able to tell them that Lilly will be okay. Because that's all you want to hear.
You just want to know that your furkid will be okay.
Unfortunately, Lilly is burned at least 50% , if not 75% of her body. She literally walked through flames to escape and it shows. Her delicate ears are burnt to a crisp and to me, resembled the pig ear dog treats at the pet store. Her nose is burnt, her cheeks.. all of her belly and then up her bum and tail.. all burnt.
Dr. Varga is amazed Lilly is still alive, and continues to eat and fight to live. It all does not sound good, but I trust Dr. Varga's assessment that Lilly is a fighter and hopefully, she can recover.
The UC Davis team has done some debridement of the wounds. In some parts, her skin is dry and leathery. In other places, it's beginning to slough off.
We hope that she will be able to regenerate new skin and get through this. As you can imagine, the burns are quite painful and understandably, Lilly spends most of her time laying on her side. She is on a good mixture of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, pain medications and skin ointment.
She's been eating very well and has been standing up to eat her pellets and fruit. And she has been getting up to eliminate. And I also saw some new skin and hair growth on her burnt right cheek. So these are great signs that Lilly is indeed a fighter.
Only time will tell, as her body tries to heal, if Lilly will indeed, be okay. Once she is able to leave UC Davis, we will temporarily house Lilly at the sanctuary as Shauna and Joey have no home to go back to and they are currently living in a hotel.
We strongly feel that Shauna and Joey should not have to pay for any of Lilly's medical bills. The current UC Davis estimate is at $5300.. and there's a good possibility of it going higher. UC Davis has offered to pay $2000 of the bill. We would like to raise $8000 for Lilly to make sure all her costs are covered.
Can you help this piggy? Lilly is technically not a Lucky Ones sanctuary pig, but we strongly feel the need to help Lilly. She escaped the fire and has a strong will to live. She deserves a chance to get the medical care that will help her recover. We would greatly appreciate any donation to help Lilly out.
Thank you,
Thao Le
Founder, Lucky Ones Ranch
All funds secured will go to her medical costs and any extra funds acquired will be applied to other Camp Fire animals.
This campaign has been approved and authorized by the Bykonen family. If you would like to contact them directly, we can provide their email to you.
Estimate of current costsLilly, before the fireOrganizer
Thao Le
Organizer
Vacaville, CA
Lucky Ones Ranch
Beneficiary