Community saves shelter dog.
Read more: Local, Sammy, Ann Brownell, Dayna Kennedy, Marquette Humane Society, Hope for Healing Fund
NEGAUNEE TOWNSHIP -- Thanks to the Marquette County Humane Society and generous donations from the community, one lucky Shepherd mix's, dog days are over. When 10-month-old Sammy's owners discovered he had hip displaysia that required expensive surgery, they just couldn't swing it.
Enter Ann Brownell, the community relations chair for the Marquette County Humane Society. She wanted to help.
"He's young, he deserved a chance," said Brownell. "We know there's a home out there for him, and just because the money wasn't there, we had to try for him, we had to try. Why just take and be defeated immediately?"
With manager Dayna Kennedy, Brownell wrote a plea to raise the $1,800 on the shelter's web site, needed for Sammy's surgery so he could be adopted.
Kennedy thought raising that kind of money was a long shot. But they did, and in only three days. In fact, the community donated almost $2,500, enough to also fix his weak knees and help other animals at the shelter. The remainder of the money raised will go to the shelter's Pink Lady Hope for Healing Fund which helps fund the shelter's emergency vet care.
"It's kind of humbling to live in a community that supports the animals as much as they do," said Kennedy. "The economy is not the best and people are in rough situations, and I can't believe the outpouring of support for Sammy."
His surgery will take place February 18 at the Gwinn-Sawyer Veterinary Clinic.
Since Sammy's recovery period will be about three months, the shelter is hoping that he goes to a family that has a lot of time to dedicate the extra care that he needs.
If you want to donate money to the Hope for Healing Fund, click here.
