When pets in our community need urgent medical treatment but have no owner to provide it, SPCA Wake’s Medical Program is here to step in and save their lives. Funded by the support of our local community, the Medical Program treats everything from traumatic injuries to chronic illness and offers lifesaving support to vulnerable pets like newborn kittens and puppies.
We see hundreds of urgent cases every year, but even beyond critical care, the SPCA’s Medical Program provides fundamental services for every single pet that comes through our doors on their journey to adoption. Each pet is vaccinated, spayed or neutered, microchipped, dewormed, and carefully assessed by the SPCA’s veterinarian for any latent illnesses or conditions they may have so they can get the treatment they need.
Medical Program — A Safety Net for NC's Shelter Pets (Part 4/6)
One such example is Murdock, a 6-year-old dog suffering from an autoimmune condition that attacked his eyes, ears, and face, leaving him completely blind. Murdock had been found fending for himself as a stray, struggling to find food, water, and safety, and avoiding the hazards of living outside — all without eyesight.
When Murdock was taken to one of our partner shelters, the shelter staff recognized that his condition was running rampant without treatment, and he would need more intensive medical care in order to heal and prevent further damage. So the shelter called our team, and thanks to your support, we could say yes.
Every single pet rescued by SPCA Wake receives veterinary assessments, treatments, and fundamental care such as vaccines and spay/neuter surgery on their road to finding a forever home.
When 6-year-old Murdock first came to SPCA Wake for help, he was suffering from an untreated autoimmune condition that attacked his eyes, ears, and face, leaving him completely blind. But your support meant that Murdock could get the treatment he needed to have a comfortable and wonderful future.
Our medical team, including SPCA Medical Director and staff veterinarian Dr. Jennifer Bledsoe-Nix, assessed Murdock’s condition and confirmed his diagnosis. They immediately began treating him with steroids and anti-inflammatories in order to slow the progression of his illness and stop his body from further attacking itself. He was provided with a Halo, a tool for blind dogs to navigate busy spaces safely, and recovered in a foster home as he received his treatment regimen.
Thanks to the support of animal lovers like you, Murdock’s illness is finally under control. His smiles grew bigger, he became more confident and outgoing every day, and we finally saw the happy dog he was always meant to be. Now, Murdock is in his forever home, surrounded by the love of his new family, and never having to worry about fending for himself again.
Thousands of unowned pets in North Carolina are rehabilitated through SPCA Wake’s Medical Program each year, and their recovery is only possible thanks to your generous donations. SPCA Wake is a nonprofit rescue funded entirely by our community. Your gift means pets without families can still get the help they need to end their suffering — they have a temporary family here at the SPCA to love and support them when they need it the most.
Watch the short video above to hear from Dr. Bledsoe-Nix and SPCA Wake CEO & President Kim Janzen on the ways you are helping to save lives like this every single day. The more support is given for this program, the more critical cases we can take in, and the more lives we can save. Thank you for ensuring that pets like Murdock don’t get left behind.
Make a donation today to help expand and support programs like these.
SPCA Wake is a 501(c)3 nonprofit rescue headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. Each year, your support helps to save the lives of over 4,000 cats, dogs, and small pets through our rescue and adoption program. Our mission is to create a humane community for pets and people, to end the euthanasia of adoptable pets, and to change the hearts and minds of people across North Carolina.