THE MILO FUND

Graeme Horn and Sarah Gagne of BrandHealth with Ariel and Suzy

In the past six months the Peterborough Humane Society's financial resources have been sorely strained. "Animals with serious injuries or illnesses have needed life-saving surgery," said Wendy Ryan, Executive Director. "Surgery to repair broken bones, emergency surgery on a dog with an infected uterus and reconstructive surgery on a wonderful dog with a large open facial wound have been costly. The most recent procedure was major surgery to repair the broken hind leg of an eight-week-old beagle puppy."

A number of years ago a special fund was created in the name of Milo, a dog that had been seriously injured and required life-saving surgery. "The Peterborough Humane Society is about saving lives," said Ryan. "When the sick and the injured come into our care it's our mandate to do whatever we can to cure and to heal. With the assistance of amazing veterinarians in the Peterborough area and compassion and generosity of a caring community we can continue to help those who cannot help themselves."

BrandHealth, a local advertising agency, has taken the lead to help the PHS reactivate the Milo Fund. They have dedicated a $5,000 portion of their generous charitable donation to be used solely for life-saving medical care. To meet the needs of the animals the PHS must add significantly to the Milo Fund and the assistance of the community is being sought.

The veterinarians who take on these challenging cases generously ask only that we cover their costs. Even so, the dollars quickly mount up. "We are very grateful to BrandHealth for their generous donation," said Ryan, "and we look forward to building the Milo Fund so that the animals that need our help will get a second chance."

We appreciate your generous donations.

Some recent stories from the Milo Fund:

Raleigh was brought to the PHS with a broken front leg. This beautiful neutered and declawed boy was hit by someone on a bicycle. This kind of break usually means that the leg must be amputated because the elbow was involved and surgery to repair seldom works. A local veterinarian believed that there was a chance that the leg could be saved and the repair was done. Raleigh is doing well and will shortly be going into foster care where he can receive the extra TLC that he needs. Once he has fully recovered he will return to the PHS for adoption.
Lego was found in a box that was left at the door of the PHS. The box was labeled "Broken Leg." Sadly, reconstructive surgery was unsuccessful, and in the end Lego's hind leg had to be amputated. He adjusted quickly to being a three-legged cat and has since been adopted to a loving home
Miracle arrived at the PHS as an injured stray. This sweet and gentle young cat purred despite the pain of his broken hind leg. A plate and screws and two months of hospital care have given Miracle the chance to have a wonderful new life. After a stay in foster care Miracle returned to the PHS where he quickly became a favorite with all who met him. He has been adopted to a loving home.
Clover is an older beagle who suddenly became quite ill while waiting for a new home. Weeks of medical care along with surgery to remove her infected uterus and treatment for a strep infection ensured this gentle dog would return to health. Clover went into foster care and became such a loved part of her foster family that they adopted her.
Ariel was harmed by another animal. The wound became abscessed and the abscess burst. Ariel arrived at PHS with the skin missing from the right side of her face. Seven delicate surgeries were required to close the wound. Everyone who has met or worked with Ariel has fallen in love with her. On the inside, this awesome dog has always been beautiful. Thanks to the amazing work that has been done, she is once again beautiful on the outside as well and is now living the good life with a PHS member of the Board of Directors who treasures her. They make a wonderful pair.
Suzy is a little beagle puppy just old enough to be away from her mother. She was surrendered to the PHS when her hind leg was injured. The surgery to repair this type of injury is very delicate and challenging as the bones are soft and not yet fully developed and the puppy is very small. Suzy spent weeks in foster care. Her foster family did physical therapy with her multiple times a day to help her gain full use of her leg. She returned to the PHS and was quickly adopted to a loving family.