Happy Tails ‘Moose’s Fund’ Helps Pets in Need

Mojo started life as one of a litter of five kittens born to a stray cat on top of the roof of a trailer in Gillett. The kittens were taken in and bottle-fed by Mark and Carolyn Kinner, who lived in the trailer. One unfortunate kitten died; three others were placed in new homes, but no one wanted poor little Mojo, so the Kinner family decided to keep him. It seemed like he had it made.

But about 18 months later in December of 2009, Mojo’s luck would turn for the worse. He escaped from the house, and when his owners found him, he had been shot. There were bullet fragments in his shoulder and his upper leg bone had been shattered. He was lucky to be alive, but he faced a very uncertain future. With his leg swollen, painful, and infected, his best chance of survival was to have the leg amputated. Veterinary costs were estimated at about $800, and both the Kinners were out of work and could not afford to have the surgery done. The only other option was to put Mojo to sleep. The situation was grim.

Then Mojo’s veterinarian contacted Happy Tails No Kill Animal Shelter to ask about the possibility of getting help for the Kinners from Moose’s Fund. Moose’s Fund is a special reserve medical fund which was set up to cover costs typically incurred in an emergency or medical situation where there is an animal in need and the owner is unable to pay for the needed services. After the owners completed an application and the veterinarian provided a statement, Happy Tails reviewed the case and awarded funds that paid for the bulk of Mojo’s needed surgery. Being young, he recuperated and adjusted rapidly to the loss of his leg. Amazingly, less than two weeks after his surgery, Mojo was back to playing, climbing and jumping.

Mojo is just one of a number of animals that have been saved by Moose’s Fund. Happy Tails is designating February as Moose’s Fund Month in order to raise funds that will help other families that are in desperate need to help their pets. With many people losing their jobs, the need is greater than ever. However, there are a few key points that should be made clear to the public regarding Moose’s Fund:

(1) Funds are awarded only in special cases where there is a medical emergency or other catastrophic veterinary expense, and an inability to pay can be demonstrated. It is not meant to cover routine vet bills.

(2) Applications for Moose’s Fund money must be initiated by your veterinarian. If you feel your situation is eligible for help from Moose’s Fund, ask your veterinarian to contact Happy Tails for approval. Please do not call Happy Tails directly.

(3) Moose’s Fund money is funded by the public and is held separately from Happy Tails animal shelter funds. Donations toward Moose’s Fund must be clearly designated as a "Moose’s Fund donation."
 

Look for the Happy Tails Moose’s Fund donation jars that will available at vendors throughout the area. Contributions to Moose’s Fund will also be accepted at: Happy Tails, P.O. Box 68, Towanda PA 18848. Checks should be made payable to Happy Tails. Please be sure to designate that it is for Moose’s Fund. Someone will be very grateful for your generosity that will allow them to help their pet in their time of greatest need.

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