THE SUNSHINE FUND

Sunshine was a dog that came to us many years ago. She was a Shepherd Husky cross and was found in a project in Hartford with one eye poked out from a stick. She was brought to a local vet who called us because the people had no money and just left her lying on the floor with people walking over her. The owners signed the dog over to AFOC and we moved her to another vet who treated her injuries and we found her a wonderful home and she lived to be over 14 years old. What happened to Sunshine was a beginning of many years of rescuing injured and abused animals for our organization.  She was one of the most severely injured animals we had seen at that time and was a realization of the need to the poor innocent animals. This fund is in her memory.

Ebony was presumably hit by a car. AFOC was called to rescue her from being put down on the scene in New Britain. Her injuries are major. She suffers from a broken pelvis, and a hip bone needs to be removed. Ebony will have to have major surgery to recovery from her injuries.

Meet Sam. He was rescued by a Good Samaritan. Sam had extensive injuries. He had a broken jaw and pelvis, plus head trauma.He is now up for adoption.

Dutch’s injuries may be the result of domestic abuse when he came to us in March 2010. His leg was broken in over 2 places. He is between 1 to 2 years old. His surgery was extremely expensive. He is now adopted.

Beacon was rescued in February 2010 with a major hole in his leg. He recovery was a success and he is now up for adoption. Beacon is now adopted!

Big E came to us in January of 2009 he was in need of immediate medical attention. His leg had major damage and luckily they were able to save it. He also had his reverse eyelids. Both surgeries were successful. Once his wounds healed and his beautiful hair grew back you could see just how handsome he is. 

Sweetie at only 6 months had a rough start in life. She came to us with a broken foot in February 2009. She needed and received orthopedic surgery. She had a major reaction to the medication and needed to have all her legs bandaged to prevent her from trying to lick them. She has recovered and is in a new home.

Pookey at 9 nine months was rescued last January 2009. She had a broken pelvis. At first it was believed she was injured by a car. It is now being investigated because of the possibility of abuse. Pookey is now recovered and in a new home.

Ralph was a stray that was hit by a car by the Farmington police station in the fall of 2008. He was brought to the emergency hospital in Avon. We were called to see if we would take responsibility for the major surgery he needed. He was then taken to Vets Specialists for a very expense pelvis repair. He is about a year and very sweet and friendly cat. Once he has healed he will be put up for adoption.

Boris is a senior dog who was in need of surgery before he could be adopted. We raised money for his surgery and he was then put up for adoption. It took a little while, but he now has a home.

In August 2008 we rescued a sweet kitten named Satin. Both her back legs were broken. After a stay at the Vet’s she went to the shelter and then was up for adoption. We made sure she went to a safe and loving home.

When O’Grady was found in the summer of 2008 he was one sick little kitty. Once checked by a Vet it was discovered he had a respiratory infection. He bounced back with the right medical care. He is now up for adoption.Update: He is now adopted!

Tobie is a sweet and friendly kitten who was found in a zip lock bag tied to a fence in the summer of 2008. To make it worse she was also shaved. Fortunately someone heard her cries.She is now adopted.

In the spring of 2008 Sam was rescued. He is a very loving and friendly fellow who is completely blind. We took care of his special needs and found him a safe and loving home. He would have not survived if he had not been rescued

 In October of 2007 Adam was rescued missing one rear paw. We do not know what happened. He is a shy but even with his disability is a frisky kitten. Unfortunately there are many dangers for kittens. Adam is up for adoption and hopefully we will find him a happy home. UPDATE: Adam was at a foster home and won the heart of his foster mom. He is now able to call it home.

Frosty was found in Bloomfield up a tree. He had been hit by a car and ran up a tree. Unfortunately he became frozen to the tree. He was rescued by a landscaper and was brought to AFOC for care. He was neutered and  his tail had to be totally removed. He is also going to loose his ears from frost bite. He is nice and cozy in a new home.

In October of 2007 Kayla(4 to 5 months old) rescued. We don’t know what happen to her eye, but it hasn’t affective her personally. She is a very friendly girl even though she was injured and lost her eye. She now has a home.

Bergman and Beaker had some medical problems when they were first born, but now are healthy and happy to be in a new home.

Becall was born 6-1-07. When she came to the shelter it was noticed that her stomach was swollen. It has been discovered that she has a cyst on her liver. She was fighting for her life. Update:She was adopted with her sibling’s Bergman & Beaker.

Romeo was about 4 to 5 months old when he was rescued. He came to us with a severe back leg injury. He is a lovable fellow and is now doing fine. He charmed the vets and was given a home by one of staff.

In summer of 2007 Bloomer was a young male who came to us with a broken jaw.  He stay at the Vets were lengthy because of no room at the shelter. After he was healed and back in good health he was the pet of the week and found a home.

Jordan was about 2 months when he came to us with a broken pelvis. He had his surgery and was available for adoption.He did find a home and now is safe.

Bonita has a head tip due to a serious case of ear mites and her eyes are likely messed up from a respiratory infection. Bonita is sadly what can happen when you leave a cat outdoors and not seek medical attention. This poor cat now has a growth in her ear and needs surgery. To date her medical bills have been over $1000.00. She was left with a permanent tilt of her head.

My husband, works at a metal recycling business. On Tues., 9/5, he was approaching a large pile of metal which he was going to move with a crane. A pit bull, “Mickey” (who is also a rescued animal), which lives at the scrap yard, was circling the pile of metal. My husband, instead of just getting on the crane, approached the pile of metal to see why “Mickey” was acting suspiciously. He heard small mews coming from inside the pile of metal. Then he saw a tiny kitten. He approached her, but she went in further. He removed some pieces of metal, and called for her. She finally came towards him and he was able to rescue her. He called me immediately at home and told me he had a very small kitten at the yard and asked that I come right away and get her. His words were, “she is LUCKY to be alive”. After bringing her home, I called Judy at AFOC. She scheduled an appointment with a vet and when I brought her in that afternoon they asked what her name was. I immediately thought “LUCKY

This poor little kitten lost both his eyes because of neglect. He had a virus in his eyes plus a infection. He has a home now that will make sure he is safe.

In the summer of 2006 Cuddles was a 9 week old stray kitten who was rescued. We discovered he needed multiple procedures to save his mutilated paw. Thanks to your financial help, Cuddles received the necessary medical treatment

This poor kitty we had believed was dumped. It is not a well know fact but all white cats can get sunburn on their ears. It is even recommend that if your cat goes out to put sun tan lotion on their ears. This poor feline received treatment.

Molly was rescued by a good Samaritan. The state police called us because she was injured. We believe she may have been scraped by a car. She is a cute cat that now has a wonderful and safe home.

Earl was found on Sisson Ave with his leg muscles and bones exposed. He stay at the vet  was lengthy because he needed the time for his wounds to heal. He is now in a new home.

Penny is a dog that was in a local dog pound. She needed extreme eye surgery. Both her eyelids were turned the wrong way. Donations were needed to pay for her surgery which was done November 9, 2005. The Sunshine funds were used to pay her vet bill and for other cats & dogs who need emergency medical attendance. She now has a loving home thanks to your donations.

In 2005 the kitten Itsy had his back legs crushed. He was paralyzed and went to a specialty center to see if the condition could be reversed. He was rescheduled for six weeks to see if his conditions improved on their own. Update: Itsy is now at a animal sanctuary and is doing fine.

In the summer of 2005 Tiny was found with two broken legs and a lost tail. He needed major surgery because he had difficultly breathing from a birth defect. He had a pelvic fracture. In this photo he is recovering from that surgery. He held his own. For a tiny fellow he has been though a lot. He is now in a home.

Sasquatch had abscess on his front and back legs. When he was rescued it was discovered that he was chewed by something. We do not know how it happened.  He was found in Hartford. He recovered and now is in a new home.

Bassie was a 12-week-old kitten who, when rescued by Animal Friends of Connecticut, was extremely ill and was rushed to a veterinarian. With little chance of survival, he was transferred to a specialty center where one of his kidneys, severely infected and nonfunctional, was removed. Unfortunately his remaining kidney was congenitally malformed, infected, and had limited functioning. Bassie had been in the hospital for 20 days and an excellent vet team did everything they could to enable his remaining kidney to function. They describe his survival as a miracle. But Bassie needed our help! The veterinary costs involved in saving Bassie's life had been great. Animal Friends of Connecticut is in desperate need of donations to continue it's life-saving work to help strays like Bassie and other special animals like him.

Bassie after his surgery.

In the spring of 2005 Eden was rushed to emergency and needed immediate surgery. She was taken to Angel Memorial Hospital in Boston. The estimated cost of her surgery was $3360.00.  She was only 10 weeks when she had surgery and we hope she will live a happy and healthily life.

Mary Moo came from Hartford in 2005. She went into kidney failure due to the fact some human gave her people medicine. Her stay at the vet was over two months. She almost died from the poisoning. She is now in a safe home and doing well. Remember SOME medicine can be deadly to animals! Always ask your VET!

Peanut was rescued from a burning building by a West Hartford fireman in 2005. She was having breathing problem and something fell on her. Peanut’s stay was lengthy. She made a full recovery and now has been adopted.

Ernie was rescued on 12/23/04. He was our Christmas cat because he was found in the North End of Hartford and rescued by children. His injuries were very serious. He had open bite wounds all over his body. The children put him in a box on a pillow and called the Dog Warden but he never showed up. AFOC was then called and we took him to the Farmington Valley Emergency Animal Hospital. He needed his bandages changed daily on his open wounds and sedation for pain control.. He will require crate rest. UPDATE: Ernie has a HOME!

Ernie at the Vets

Bathie had a set of kittens in August 2005. She was living under a porch for over a year and had many litters. She was very weak and dehydrated from the last set of kittens. She had a total of 11! Bathie and the kittens were flea invested and some didn’t survive. Bathie had a very lengthy stay at the vets because their was no room at the shelter. She is now adopted.

These cats are from Wethersfield Avenue in Hartford. They were rescued in 2005 because of the horrible deaths that occurred to some of the other strays in that area. AFOC offered a reward but the people were never brought to justice. These cats were lucky and found loving homes .

Chilly 2004 Chilly at home

One of our members were walking home and saw him face down on the grass. She thought he was dead but when she got closer he was breathing so she picked him up and brought him home. At first she thought he just needed some food, but then realized it was much worse. Looking for help she started making calls and AFOC was able to help. A volunteer went to pick him up and since then he had at least one major scare. He is now doing well and is at a new home . He likes the rabbit but is not sure about the bird.

2004   Bennie was a 1 year old black and white male when he came to us and was badly mauled. We did not know the cause of the injury. He now has a home!

On June 23rd 2004 in Middletown on route 66 a 5-week-old kitten had been hit by a car or truck on the side of his face and eye. The residents of the area stood by to see if he would be killed laughing as this poor little kitten dodged trucks. Poppy recovered fine, but his eye could not be saved. Poppy was at the shelter for over a year. He finally found a loving home. See pictures of her at her new home on the Success stories page.

Virginia came to the shelter with a broken femur(thigh bone). She needed surgery to correct it. With such a painful condition she still is a very friendly and affectionate cat. UPDATE: Virginia had her surgery and now has a home.

Tiger Tom was rescued from a organization that spays and neuters animals and then sets them free. A cat with a injury has even a greater chance of dying. Aware of this AFOC was called for help in preventing him from being released. He is at our shelter and feels very comfortable with the other cats. Update: He is now at a volunteer’s home and is no longer considered adoptable, but he is safe and does not have to worry about his next meal or any of the other perils of living on the streets.

2004- At the shelter we noticed that Oz was walking with a limp. A trip to the vet and x-rays disclosed that he had a bullet wound that had not healed. Someone tried to fix it but the pin is in wrong and the bone is not healing properly. Their are also fragments of the bullet in his leg. His surgery to have them removed was successful. Oz Has been adopted and we are happy for him.

AFOC rescued a litter of four kittens, two of them had severely deformed legs. One kitten’s condition was corrected by intense surgery. This one had to go to rehabilitation because her condition is not reversible. AFOC made sure these kittens received all the care and medical treatment they needed. This little one is now in a animal sanctuary where AFOC knows she will receive the special love and attention that we are not equipped to provide. Romal is on the below right being a typical kitten as a friend watches on.

Pai was a 8 month old male with a broken leg. He is sweet and very friendly. He was found in Bristol. Pai is now adopted.

Lilly had a broken leg that needed several pins. Lilly now has a home and is doing well.

Troy(below) was a Maine Coon about 5 to 7 years old when he came to us. He had several surgeries on his one foot plus needed several skin grafts. His medical bill was over $1000. Troy is now in a loving home.

These dogs(above) are now in happy homes only because AFOC was able to rescue them from being put down due to major critical injuries resulting from being hit by cars. Their medical costs were over $2300 from the injuries alone. Neutering and vaccinations were additional costs.

Before

Now

Animal Friends is one of the few no-kill rescue organizations that takes in injured strays. Because of the need for veterinary services AFOC may experience unusually high medical bills.

Medical costs are going up as donations have been going down. For example a kitten that had phenomena we paid over $650 for her care after our discount from the vet. Vet services to help these injured pets are constantly going up. This seriously affects our financial resources. We need your help so we can continue to help the injured and abandoned animals. Just to spay or neuter a pet with the necessary shots is over $200.00.

Help us help these strays.