March 24, 2015
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Maribel, a former puppy mill, shelter and stray dog, was finally adopted into a loving home after two surgeries at Ryan Hospital.
Experts at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine are helping save the lives of shelter dogs in need of specialized medical care thanks to a gift from the Richard Lichter Charity for Dogs.
The Shelter Dog Specialty Medical Treatment Project will provide specialty care to dogs in partnering shelters that are at risk for euthanasia. Once selected and approved through the Penn Vet Shelter Animal Medicine Program, the dogs will be treated at Penn Vet’s Ryan Hospital and will be placed in foster care for adoption.
“We were incredibly moved when Richard Lichter came to us with a vision for this program and a generous offer to support it,” Dr. Brittany Watson, director of Shelter Animal Medicine and Community Engagement, said in a statement. “This is an opportunity for Penn Vet’s Shelter Medicine Program, Ryan Hospital, and area shelters to partner in saving the community’s most vulnerable dogs.”
This month, the first group of dogs was saved through the project. Four pit bull-mix puppies who had severe vaccination reactions were rushed to Ryan Hospital’s Emergency Service.
After being hospitalized with supportive care for two nights, one puppy has already been adopted by a Penn Vet technician who cared for him, and the other three puppies are currently in foster homes awaiting adoption. See the profiles of animals available for adoption at Animal Care and Control Team of Philadelphia (ACCT Philly).
“I am delighted with the start of the Shelter Dog Specialty Medical Treatment Project,” Lichter said in a statement. “This partnership with Penn Vet, which has incredible veterinary specialists and emergency care, has enabled four puppies without families and without hope to have another chance at life.”
Read the entire Penn Vet story here.
