Tzu Zoo Rescue

No dogs were left behind during the Thanksgiving and Christmas rush.  We saved 16 dogs, many with above average needs so our bills are over the top...Oddly enough, we have 16 more just since the first of the year that also needed us.

PLEASE CONSIDER BEGINNING YOUR NEW YEAR OF DONATIONS WITH A DONATION TO TZU ZOO RESCUE!!!

Some of the most expensive were all hit by a car.

Meet April the Lhasa Malte Poo

She is a 10 lb darling gal.  Her left leg was de-gloved and while fulfilling her stray hold, her leg rotted away.  The shelter kept her on pain meds and penecillian but it was not enough to prevent infections.  Due to the amount of pain she was in, we did an emergency amputation, even though she had become sepsis.  Not only do we need money for the surgery, even more so for the hospitalization to stop the infection and start her on the road to recovery.  She is eating and walking, we just have to get the infection under control so she can go home and start her new life of being loved.  She is only about 2-3 years old and is a little doll, even with all she has been going through.

Minimum of $1000 needed to cover all medical needs for APRIL.

Meet Polly Mia, the 5 lbs Poodle fluff:

She had a tiny broken bone in the doggie equivalent of our wrist.  It required a plate, but due to her size, it was rather complicated.  Polly is a little lover and wants to kiss anyone near her.  She is very people oriented, plus loves to play - cast not a hinderance.  She is no more than 1.  We need $750 to get out of debt for Polly Mia.

The last of those who tangled with a car is Duke the Tzu:

His pelvis and leg are fractured, but fortunately it will heal with limited activity over time.  However, he added on the complication of heartworms.  Depending on the method we will have to use, his total medical costs will range from $400 - $800.  He is only 3 years old and very cooperative with all the handling and treatment he has received in his broken state.

General expenses per dog have increased to at least $275 per dog, so their adoption donation rarely covers the costs we spend on every rescue.  Since Thanksgiving week, we have rescued 32 dogs.  32 x $275 makes our MINIMUM expenses over $8800.

We don't want to stop being there for the dogs that need us NOW.  Please help us meet our current financial obligations so we can continue our efforts to save the Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, Maltese and all their fluffy friends needing us in 2010.

On Saturday, 1/9, our Wheaten Terrier Stringbean was adopted. Within two hours of this joyful event, on the way into Petsmart, the collar failed and off went Stringbean. He has been missing ever since.

A mass search is planned for Saturday and Sunday, 1/16 and 17 from 7:30 - 6:30. We will start where he escaped, 121 and Glade in Grapevine, and move out from there. If you can help, please contact Ja Peck at Ja.Peck@tenethealth.com to let her know when and how you can help. Any and all efforts are appreciated to help get him back to safety.  If you have any information regarding his location, please call Ja at 214-783-5482 or Lynda at 972-743-5448.

Molly Kay entered our rescue program one week before she was due.  Her prior home included a 12 year old male Shih Tzu, otherwise referred to as Daddy.

     Molly Kay - day she came to Tzu Zoo Rescue

On Friday morning, 10/2/09, Molly let me know to get her nursery ready and to stop piddling around as they were COMING!!!  She had 5 healthy pups in around 45 minutes, needing no help from me (but I did anyway.) 

    Molly & the Peanuts (Patty, Sally, Lucy, Snoopy and Linus)

They are now 11 days old and more than doubled in size.  You can tell they no longer can fit side-by-side to nurse.  Snoopy is the extra wide one!!!

   L to R - Sally, Linus, Patty, Snoopy and Lucy

The optimum time for them to go to a new home is day 49 - 56, putting us right before Thanksgiving.  They will not be spayed or neutered, so if adopted in this time period, additional deposits will be required and returned when they have completed the surgery.

For those like me who like them a little more mature - Molly Kay will be available the end of November and is a 5 year old jewel.

In order to keep a sterile environment for the puppies, we have even fewer foster spots to take in more dogs and additional costs are incurred to board dogs.  Please help us by donating ASAP so we can meet these financial commitments to continue saving shelter dogs.  From now until November 25th, you can buy raffle tickets and win some great prizes while helping these beautiful dogs.  http://www.tzuzoorescue.com/pleasehelp.htm#331015715

Dear Supporters of Tzu Zoo Rescue;

Thank you for adopting from us and /or donating toward medical costs of dogs in need. We began this journey in June 2008 and through steady donations and adoptions, we have been able to keep up with the demands upon us.

However, this summer has hit us hard. There have been two major puppy mill busts in the area. These are the suppliers of dogs to stores like Petland and Canton’s First Monday Trade Days. They were in terrible shape. The other Shih Tzu groups accommodated these dogs and therefore closed their intake to the local shelter dogs. Tzu Zoo agreed to pick up the slack to try to save all the stray and abandoned Shih Tzus and Lhasa Apsos in DFW area. And that we did!!!

Since Memorial Day – we have rescued 62 dogs. This number is astronomical considering we are a small rescue group with only 21 active foster homes. Even more amazing, we only have 56 dogs available for adoption at this time, so we have been doing a great job, finding wonderful homes.

The purpose for this letter is – WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MEET THE FINANCIAL DEMANDS generated by these 62 dogs. Some rough numbers so you will better understand our situation:

-62 dogs with average medical costs of $225 to prep for adoption $ 13,950

-Minimum of 30 dogs with additional $100 costs for skin or health issues 3000

-8 dogs requiring heartworm treatment, average cost $350 per dog 2800

-5 dogs with eye enucleations or other emergency surgery at min of $300 1500

-Emergency care for Clint to try to save him from Parvo 1200

***Total Care for 62 dogs, not including all miscellaneous charges $ 22,450***

The average adoption donation is approximately $220. Therefore we take a loss on every dog we adopt out – that’s the business we are in.

Collectively, through our network, I know we can make this work so we can continue to give life to needy dogs and happiness to future adoptive families. BUT – we need everyone’s help and resources. Here’s how:

• Make a donation (big and little all count)

• Adopt a canine friend for your current dog(s)

• Buy and/or sell Raffle Tickets for our drawing in November ($200 Target Gift Certificate + many more gifts)

• Check with your employer to see if they match donations or provide grants for volunteering hours to a non-profit organization

• Solicit corporate sponsors

• Locate available grants and submit them

• Organize a fundraiser (garage sales, car washes, doggy washes, restaurant days to name a few quick hitters)

• Hold a benefit luncheon or golf tournament

• Distribute fliers in local businesses and community centers

• Initiate an email campaign or design a YouTube video to pass along

• Buy a T-Shirt and wear it to advertise ($15 each or 2 for $25)

Somehow, we need to generate $12,500 by mid-October. With elevated progress, we can continue to save dogs in the area when they need us – just have to do it at a slower rate. Our adoption goal is 18 dogs by the end of September and 15 more in October. If goal is met, it will cover about $7000 of this debt.

Please help however you can to pump the remaining $5500 into our rescue so we can continue our efforts without saying no to dogs that need us in the future. If we aren’t there to rescue them, they will add to the atrocious number of dogs put to sleep each week.

Up to know, we have been really lucky to not have heartworm cases.  Unfortunately we seem to be getting caught up.

Heartworms are so easy and inexpensive to prevent, but very costly to treat, both for the dog and financially.  Each case adds $400 per dog to the usual vetting needs.  Here are the dogs that need your help to get the desperately needed treatment:

                 Fergie                                                    Harry, who also has mange

                  Sawyer                                                          Maggie

                       Tilly                                                           Mama Naomi

They are all otherwise very healthy, so should make it through with no problems, we just need the funding to have it done.  Please help us help them by donating today.

$1200 is needed to help these sweet babies!  Donate today by using the donate button or sending a check to Tzu Zoo Rescue, PO Box 796743, Dallas, TX  75379-6743.

Here is an update from Naomi's foster mom Kandy -

Mommie and all babies are doing great. I only got up once with Naomi last night.. This morning she came to the baby gate that I am using to confine her to the "nursery" and stood wagging her tail at my husband. I moved the gate and she walked all around the house. We went outside and I let her lead me around. She walked out to the street and down the block a couple of houses before deciding it was time to turn around and go home. She didn't rush right back into her babies. She seems to feel good and is settlilng into this baby duty. Already, she needs a little time away from the kids. I know I can relate!

Kandy

There are 5 girls and 4 boys.  Anticipated names for the Country and Western puppies are Wynnona, Carrie, Shania, Faith, and Martina while the boys are Garth, Dwight, Travis, and Clint.

Could you really expect us to turn our heads on this girl?

Meet Naomi.  She is a 2-5 year old Tibetan Terrier pulled from a local shelter on 7/21/09.  She was available only to rescue because she's pregnant.  Much to our surprise, she will be delivering any minute now, 7 to 9 puppies.  Yes, SEVEN to NINE puppies.  Needless to say, she is in a pitiful state as any expectant mama would be.  Now to pile on the pity - in addition to her delicate state, she is:

Heartworm Positive

Whipworm Positive

Hookworm Positive

Tapeworm Positive

Flea Infestation

Tick Infestation

and weighs 35 lbs.

We need your help to treat her for everything - including the care for puppies - cost will be up near $1000 when all is said and done.  Please donate if you can so we can provide her everything she needs until she finds her forever home.

We have many other dogs with extra ordinary expenses, so all contributions are appreciated.  We try not to ask too often, but Naomi's situation put us in desperation.  Thank you in advance for your help.

********UPDATE********July 22, 2009*******

Just after midnight, Naomi started giving birth to little White and Tan puppies.  As of 10:00am, she has had NINE and is giving a scare to Foster Mom Kandy of Passion for Pooches that there may even be another.

Rescuing Naomi has become a joint effort between our two rescue groups in order to house all these beautiful babies when they get older.  Bless Kandy and her volunteer for agreeing to help Naomi through the beginning of this adventure.

See the Tzu Zoo Forum for the birth announcement of the Gone With The Wind babies.  Tara is a beautiful, 1 year old, Tzu/Terrier Mix.  This is her in the Shelter with two Chihuahua cell mates.

We have no idea who the daddy is, but the babies are tiny.  We were blessed with 4 girls and 1 boy and their names are Scarlett O'Hara, Melanie, Sue Ellen, Miss Pitty Pat, and Rhett Butler.

Not only did we get this beautiful girl, but other new arrivals include:

Phoebe is a 2 year old, female, Maltese weighing in at 5.5 lbs.

Joey is a darling Lhasa Apso at the perfect age of 5, but unfortunately will have to undergo heartworm treatment.

Lenny is less than 1 year old.  He was very sick, suspected to have eaten poison, causing his stomach to bleed.  He is improving and will likely see a full recovery.

As you can imagine, all of these new babies will cost more than our adoption donations will recoupe.  Donations are needed and appreciated so we can continue to take the harder cases other rescues pass over.

We are experiencing storms in many ways.  Dogs seem to be finding us from all over and in varying conditions, all at a cost.

  George, Back Injury

We are treating with steriod injections for pain and manipulations to stimulate healing.  Overall, we expect his treatment to run about $500.

McGee, Eye Injury  (made photo extra small due to its graphic content)

The owners of the 4 year old sweet Lhasa boy tood to teh vet for treatment reporting he had been in a dog fight.  Once they knew the cost, the relinquished him over and reported they would get another dog instead.  Note - there are no other signs he was in a dog fight!!!  This surgery, including hospital stay, will cost $600.

Toto, Dixie, and Meagan, Skin and Dental Issues (Tail Amputation for Toto)

Toto and Dixie are 11 year old, 4 pounders, while their little sister Meagan is 7, weighing 6 lbs.  They were dumped at a shelter after their owner died and had not received proper diet or care for quite some time.   Their stay at the shelter left them with upper respiratory infections   Fortunately, the girls are responding to antibiotics, quality diet and a good teeth, but poor little ended  up with pneumonia, his skin is still red as a beet, and he suffered an injury to his tail that basically killed it and will require amputation as soon as he is well enough to undergo surgery.  We will easily spend $1000 on all their medical expenses.

  Daisy, Heartworm Treatment

Daisy is undergoing heartworm treatment and we will need to pay the bills soon.  Heartworm treatment costs $500 when its all done.

I haven't listed them all, nor want to totally bore you with it.  Bottom line, we need lots of money to pay the debt we have incurred to fix up all the babies in our program, even the healthy ones.  Since June of 2008, we have rescued 150 dogs that would not have had a chance without wonderful donors and adopters like you.

Please donate by going to our Please Help page or sending a check to Tzu Zoo Rescue, P. O. Box 796743, Dallas, TX  75379-6743.

Lots of activity going on, but unfortunately more are coming in the door than going out.  In rescue, we get to celebrate things like Spring Break taking in dogs because people don't want to deal with their dogs or the financial crisis has hit them too hard.  Here is who we have taken in just the last few days.

Adopted!!!  Max, 1 year old male Shih Tzu - precious boy!

Adopted!!!  Mei Mei, 4 year old female Pekinese - gorgeous eyes.

Adopted!!!  Hershey, 9 year old male Chocolate Tzu ***

***Came to us in need of surgery to remove bladder stones - Your donation would be appreciated and put to very good use.  He is an awesome fellow, full of personality.

Violet, 5 year old Shih Tzu, never been an inside dog.

Benjamin, 1 year old Maltese on stilts (not kidding)

Update on Uno

Uno's new hairdo - he definitely has some Yorkie in him.

With 3 weeks under his belt with the appliance attached, Uno is starting to get comfortable.  We did a little trim up and he was such a great little guy during the whole ordeal.  Keep him in your thoughts as he as at least 3 more weeks before he can get back to having normal use of his mouth. 

Other Unusual Expenses

Daisy is only 2, but has to undergo heartworm treatment costing $300.  Need to raise money by end of March for her treatment.

Hershey's (see his photo above) bladder stone removal will cost another $300.

Squirt threw us a curve ball when going in for a routine dental - his bloodwork indicated he was in renal failure.  Though it is eventually terminal, weekly treatments have shown a positive turn in his values and his life expectancy went from a couple of weeks to indefinite.  Additional donations are needed to allow us to continue these supplemental treatments so little Squirt can continue to feel good and be happy.

Donations can be sent to P. O. Box 796743, Dallas, TX  75379-6743 or credit card donations by clicking the Please Help button on our website.  Don't forget to shop by using GoodSearch.com as your search engine.  By designating Tzu Zoo, a percentage of your purchase will come to us to help our fluffs.