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Second Chance Fund
The FOWAS Second Chance Fund is an important part of the FOWAS mission. Our Second Chance Fund allocates money for adoptable animals that need expensive health care which the Animal Services Authority cannot afford.
Without this fund many sick or injured animals may not get the "second chance" they deserve. Read below for examples of how this program helped save lives!
Stray Baby Iguana Saved!!!

December 2007

See his U-tube video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMEoEviK-ac&feature=user

Ronnie was brought to the Watsonville Animal as a stray in pretty bad shape. He is only a few months old. Due to his age, we do not know if he is a male or a female. The Friends of the Watsonville Animal Shelter used second chance funds to get him examined by a vet and receive medications needed to fight off possible infection. Due improper diet, he needed extra calcium to help him build stronger bones. He has already lost a few toes from being malnourished but he is doing great now and is very used to being handled. He is definitely the friendliest iguana we have ever had at the shelter. Iguanas need special care and can only be adopted to homes that can provide for their special needs. Please visit the Small Creatures Room to learn more about Iguanas. Ronnie deserves a very special home.
Two Siamese Kittens Get a Second Chance

November 2007

Mr. Peabody and Rowan are two (mixed) Siamese kittens who needed help. With overflow from kitten season there was no room at the shelter, and these two babies needed to be in foster care. Here is their amazing story:

WHAT’S  IN  A  NAME?

What would you call a soft, white, thick-furred Siamese male kitten with Flame Point ears and nose who looks like he needs glasses with his blue crossed eyes? Why Mr. Peabody, of course….the little scientist. Mr. P and his brother, Rowan (means red in Irish for his dark ginger-colored coat), both needed some special vet attention recently while living with their foster mom Cheryl and FOWAS came to the rescue. Rowan’s eyes are already much better and Mr. Peabody is slowly making a recovery from pneumonia. Because of the special exams and medicine provided by FOWAS, these handsome brothers will soon be ready for adoption. Please thank the FOWAS Board members, as well as the Creekside veterinarians and staff, who participated in their recovery.
Second Chance Fund Saves Three Goats!

October of 2007

Beth is a brown-and-white goat who was attacked by a pit bull. Half of her ear was eaten, and her gums were severely damaged. Dr. Thomas Meyers came to the rescue when he heard about the Watsonville shelter goats.

 

 

 

 

FOWAS paid for Beth's medical bills, and she went to live with the family of one of our volunteers. She won't be bothered by violent dogs anymore and can live a very happy life!

 

 

 

 

Also, two older goats were attacked by this dog, and they were very lucky to survive. After they were fixed up by the vet, they went to live at the Humane Farming Association Sanctuary. They would have been euthanized if FOWAS had not given them the second chance they needed. Now they will be able to live out their lives with compassionate caregivers.

 
Another Second Chance Success Story!

January of 2007

Oliver and Sheba were at the Watsonville Animal Shelter for a very long time. Nobody would adopt them because they needed dental work done due to neglect. The Friends of the Watsonville Animal Shelter paid over $800 for them to receive extensive dental work and 30 teeth were pulled between them. Oliver was toothless, but still fatter than Sheba, and still preferred his dry food! He was so much happier after the surgery because he wasn't in severe pain anymore.

Both of these kitties were 7-10 years old and were barely noticed after kitten season began. After four months at the shelter, they were both very depressed and spent all of their time sleeping. The public couldn't tell how much personality these cats had because they were so unhappy at the shelter. A nice young woman saw their amazing U-tube video online (click here to see it) and decided to adopt them as companions for her house cat. As soon as he was out of the box, Oliver started exploring. He was so energetic that he had to climb everything in the house within the first hour. He still runs around the house a lot, but mostly enjoys cuddling and meowing. Sheba licked her new owner, the sofa, the carpet, and even some baby bunnies! Her mom was fostering bunnies, and Sheba helped out until they got older. She was very shy at first, but now likes to play with her new cat friend and cat toys. She is very gentle and quiet, but surprisingly became the dominant cat in the house! These two would not have survived if generous people were not there for them when they needed help. Their current happy life was made possible by the donations of people like you. Please donate to Friends of the Watsonville Animal Shelter so that other special animals can be saved!
Read About Honey!
Summer of 2006

Hi, my name is Honey. I'm a 2 year old female cattle dog who was badly hurt when I was hit by a car in Watsonville.  I was taken to the Santa Cruz Veterinary Emergency Hospital by the Animal Services Officer.  I was in shock, and they weren't sure if I was going to make it. Once they stabilized me, they did X-rays and found that I had a complete fracture of my radius and ulna and a broken pelvis which made it impossible for me to squat to pee.  It was very uncomfortable!  Even though I was in a lot of pain, the Veterinary staff and Officer couldn't believe how sweet I was.  Dr. Macy and Dr. Rinkardt felt that if my fractures could be repaired, I would have a normal healthy life.  I had a collar on, but no tag or Micro Chip and my owners never came looking for me. Things were not looking good for me because as a "stray dog" the Animal Services Authority could not afford to get my fractures fixed. Friends of the Watsonville Animal Shelter (FOWAS) was called and they put up the money to fix me up. I had surgery and it was very successful.  I'm in a great foster home with one of the nurses who took care of me before and during my surgery. I will be with her for about 10 weeks.

My emergency and surgery costs have already exceeded $4500 dollars and that doesn't include future X-rays (to make sure I'm healing ok) and cast changes.  If all goes well, I will be  adopted to a permanent home in 10-12 weeks. Please donate what you can so the Friends of the Watsonville Animal Shelter can keep helping GREAT dogs like me!!!   

 
Huge Rabbit Rescue

In June 2004, the Watsonville Animal Shelter confiscated 53 rabbits from a "hobby" breeder.  All of the rabbits were crammed into only 8 cages that were filled with rotting hay, feces, filthy water and toxic food.  Only 8 were adults.  Four adults were nursing moms and the remaining four adults were pregnant and had to be spayed immediately to prevent additional litters.  45 were babies between 2 days and 7 weeks old.  All of the adult males were missing by the time officers arrived to pick up the rabbits.  At least one nursing mom was also missing and her babies were distributed among the remaining mothers.  Unfortunately, the missing rabbits were never recovered.

After detailed medical exams, many babies were found to have infected bite wounds and intestinal parasites requiring lengthy veterinary care. Additionally, one baby had a broken hip and one baby was blind in one eye from an untreated injury.  All rabbits still needed to be spayed or neutered before they could be adopted.  All expenses were paid by our 2nd Chance Fund.  Thankfully, Creekside Veterinary Hospital in Soquel discounted their normal rates.

FOWAS worked closely with shelter staff, volunteers, and rabbit rescue groups like Rabbit Haven (www.therabbithaven.org) and the Marin County House Rabbit Society (www.saveabunny.org).  Due to the financial support of FOWAS/2nd chance fund and the media coverage we received from KSBW-TV, KION-TV, the Santa Cruz Sentinel and the Register Pajaronian, none of the rabbits were euthanized.  It took almost a year, but every single rabbit from this rescue received a loving new family. 

Read the Article about this story: www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2004/June/12/local/stories/06local.htm 

 

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