Young-Williams Animal Center of East Tennessee

How far would you go to save your pet who is faced with a life-threatening medical emergency? If you’ve ever experienced this yourself, you know the stress and fear it can create. Unfortunately, many of our lower-income neighbors don’t have the resources to provide lifesaving care during an emergency.

Thankfully, Young-Williams Animal Center is here to help with SAFE. SAFE stands for Saving Animals and Families Every Day and is a service of our Pet Resource Center. We know a pet is a member of the family, and that losing a pet to a disease or injury that could be cured or healed is devastating. Through SAFE, families can apply for emergency medical assistance so their pets receive the lifesaving care they need. 

When you make a donation today, you’re giving pet parents scared of loving their beloved companion, hope. When you give, you are providing life-changing options to those in despair and making a difference for pets like Kady, Dallas and Duchess. 

When Terri came to Young-Williams in April, the family pet, Kady Marie, was seriously ill. The family had already spent the little disposable income they had on Kady’s diagnostics, which determined she was suffering with Pyometra, an infection that can occur after a female dog is in heat. Kady’s family was already adjusting to a reduced income due to the pandemic and was denied for emergency Care Credit. Knowing Kady wouldn’t survive without medical care, they arrived with heavy hearts ready to surrender her.

Kady and her family met with a Pet Resource Center Specialist to discuss options that would keep the family together. Because Kady was in critical condition, she was a top priority and emergency funding was approved. Within a matter of hours, Kady was in surgery and her family sighed with relief. “We know that surgery saved Kady’s life, and without it, she would have been gone,” says Terri. “Kady is a daughter, and not having her would feel empty at home.” This year, Kady Marie is turning 12  but will always be the family’s baby. 

It is only through your generous donations and grant funding that we had the resources to save Kady. We see families in crisis like this every day. Our goal, is to raise enough so no family pet is denied the lifesaving care it needs. You never know when an emergency will happen. For Duchess, it was New Year’s Eve. 

A COVID-19 patient was admitted to the hospital with his beloved assistance dog, Duchess, who needed a SAFE place to go while her pet parent received treatment. Complicating the situation was the fact that Duchess had cancer and required regular medication. The patient was new to the area and didn’t have anyone who could care for Duchess during this emergency, and they had never been separated in more than 12 years. Within an hour, his caseworker connected with Animal Control who brought Duchess to Young-Williams Animal Center.

Our Pet Resource Center Specialists worked with her local vet to make sure Duchess received cancer medication and conveyed updates to the pet owner so he could focus on resting and recovering. A week later, in better health, Duchess’ dad was discharged and reunited with his beloved pet and service animal.

Temporary emergency care is the difference you’re making with a gift today. Without a SAFE place for Duchess to stay where she would receive the ongoing medical care she needed, her pet parent may have chosen no to receive the care he needed to recover. Your gift provides a reprieve for pet parents who are fighting against the odds. 

Two weeks before Christmas, Kristyn visited our Pet Resource Center with her dog, Dallas, who they had saved from neglect two years earlier. Dallas hadn’t been acting like himself, and they were concerned for his health. Kristyn already exhausted her Care Credit funds and GoFundMe account trying to get a diagnosis but still didn’t have answers. Worried the worst-case scenario, a possible tumor on his colon, might be reality, they turned to Young-Williams Animal Center for help.

Kristyn, Dallas and two children arrived ready to do whatever it took to save Dallas. The kids were even ready to give up Christmas and birthday presents to help their best friend. “We just want Dallas to get better,” they exclaimed. When they learned about SAFE, they were overjoyed and broke down in our waiting room with emotional relief.

A local vet ran additional tests on Dallas and ruled out the possibility of a tumor. Dallas wasn’t acting like himself because he had a parasite, which could easily be fixed with medication. Within a few weeks, Dallas was back to running and jumping around with his kids outside. Kristyn says, “Thank you all so much. It wasn’t just a vet visit you gave us. You gave us hope and the will to keep fighting for him because he is worth it. Dallas is family.” 

We hope you’ll consider giving this gift of hope, joy and healing. You can help more pets and families feel SAFE and stay together by making a gift today. Will you help us reach our goal?