Hand-In-Paw Rescue

About This Cause

Hand-In-Paw Rescue, based in Louisville KY, is dedicated to pulling pregnant dogs, nursing Moms and babies and orphaned pups from our local shelters as well as surrounding counties. Our goal is to stop the cycle of unwanted litters and to educate the public on the importance of spaying and neutering.



We at Hand-In-Paw Rescue have had a rough few weeks and need your help.



Four weeks ago one of our puppies, Oscar, was exposed to the Parvovirus. Even though he had received all his age appropriate vaccinations, the virus still took hold. We did not know that Oscar had been exposed and three other puppies in our rescue were transported with him prior to him showing symptoms. Five days after Oscar was exposed to the virus, he broke with symptoms. He was immediately taken to the vet's office where he stayed. Oscar passed two days later.



The three puppies that had been exposed had been with all their siblings after the fact. Again, we had no idea that there had been exposure so had no reason to keep them separate from the others.



A day after Oscar's symptoms started, Sumner began to get sick. She was admitted to our vet's office where she stayed until Saturday.



Saturday morning, the remaining puppies started showing symptoms. It was early morning, before our vet opened, so we took the 8 to Blue Pearl Emergency Vet to be tested. The test came back positive. We then took them to our vet where we got a game plan together, got them settled in at a generous volunteer's home and I began around the clock care with 6 medications and sub q fluids. Sumner had a relapse and ended up at Blue Pearl Monday morning. She had to have a plasma transfusion. Sonoma went down hill Monday night and she too went to Blue Pearl. She too had to have a plasma transfusion and a blood transfusion. Unfortunately, Sonoma's little body was just too sick and she passed. Sumner recovered and was able to come home after a few days. Three of the other puppies started going down hill and they too ended up at Blue Pearl.



We always make the safety of all of our dogs in HIP top priority. Unfortunately, this time safety wasn't on our side.



As you can imagine, our bills are astronomical, to say the least. Our medical bills for the parvo treatment are right at $14,000. That doesn't count our bill at our vets office. If you could find it in your heart to donate in honor of our sweet babies who are all together now at the Rainbow Bridge, we would be very thankful! One sick pup can be devastating to a small rescue, but this is beyond what we can handle.



In addition to losing Oscar and Sonoma, we have also lost 8 newborns. One just wasn't strong enough from birth and the other are all from the same litter that got Canine Herpes Virus from their mother. Our hearts are crushed! Please hug your furbaby a little tighter!



Thank you for your support!



We need monetary help to pay our $14,000 in medical bills. This does not include our normal monthly vet expenses, food and general care for the dogs in our rescue.

This is devastating to a small rescue and we cannot continue without donations to help with these unexpected costs.