How we helped "Itchy Inka"
Woodgreen's Outreach team received a call from a concerned dog owner who needed support with her four-legged friend, Inka.
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We helped Olena and Taffy stay together
Olena was overjoyed to be reunited with her beloved Labrador, Taffy. But she was shocked to discover that Taffy needed urgent, expensive medical treatment...
Olena and her eight-year-old Labrador, Taffy, had been separated for over a year. The war in Ukraine had forced Olena and her children to flee, leaving Taffy with her parents.
But she had always planned to bring Taffy to live with her in the UK, as they had been together ever since Taffy was a puppy – their bond was unbreakable.
A bittersweet reunion
Olena and Taffy met again at the Ukraine border, but Olena’s joy was fleeting. Taffy seemed quiet and withdrawn, and when she looked more closely, Olena found that she was covered in lumps and had very sore skin.
“When I saw her, I was so scared,” Olena told us later. “Because she was completely different. She had become grey in the face.”
Olena booked an appointment with her vets, who suspected that Taffy’s bad health was a result of living in an active warzone. They could help – but it would cost more than Olena could afford.
They suggested that Olena reach out to Woodgreen. Olena was sceptical at first, assuming that nothing could be done to help, but Woodgreen Community outreach officer Nadine was there to listen to her story.
“During my initial conversation with Olena, it really struck me how much they’d both been through.”
After speaking to Olena, Nadine started looking into how Woodgreen could help. We were able to relieve Olena from the stress of unexpected bills by covering the cost of Taffy’s initial vet visits.
Nadine then spoke to our in-house surgery team, hoping to be able to remove Taffy’s most urgent and painful lump, which had become ulcerated.
But the surgery team were also touched by Olena and Taffy’s story, and wanted to help more…
A new start for Taffy
Woodgreen’s surgery team arranged to not only treat the ulcerated lump, but remove all of Taffy’s lumps, treat her sore skin and ears, and make sure she went home in good health.
Olena was overcome with gratitude: “It was the first time in my life where someone has helped me.”
Now, Taffy is much more like the dog Olena remembered – bouncy, affectionate, full of joy and energy. Thanks to Woodgreen, Olena and Taffy were able to stay together, and Taffy can lead a healthy and happy life again.
We’re here to help any pet who needs us – whether they’re found on the street, or need help in their own home.
Helping pets in their homes
Nokk the cereal cat
Nokk the cat was a very fussy eater and was severely underweight, luckily Steph from our Community Outreach team stepped in.
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When two become 16
This owner took home a pair of rabbits and within seven months she had a group of 16! Our Community Outreach team stepped in to help.
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