I know many people are impressed with how Sunshine had miraculously recovered from being a paralysed dog to an almost good-as-new dog now save for the bit of knuckling of the hind paw. Sunshine’s recovery was “miraculous” and that is only because she had a very, very committed caregiver, Lydia, who was with her 24/7 (literally) for the first 10 weeks. The work needed was very heavy – turning her to prevent bedsores, coaxing her to calm down to be handled, massaging her, expressing her bladder, manually removing her faeces, etc. There is a lot of work involved and 100% commitment and dedication were needed to do this. One also needed to read up, do research on that particular case, understand anatomy and biology, etc.
There is A LOT of work involved.
Sunshine would be the last animal we take in because I do not have the resources to take in another animal. We are not a shelter nor can we be sure of being able to find a fosterer, caregiver or to rehome any animal. We can only do what we can – provide medical subsidies and publicise for help. We can only work WITH rescuers. This is as much as we can do.
Over Evelyn Wong’s case with Moon Moon, the paralysed dog, Lydia and I discussed what is required of a caregiver for a special needs animal.
I think it would do well for us to read this, so that we know just how much it entails to look after a special needs animal before we commit to the task:
Experience is so valuable that it gives us a chance to do better the next time.
In my opinion even if a fosterer comes foward, that does not immediately solve the problem or ensure the necessary for the dog. Of course it’s a start that someone comes forward but what I would like to caution is that not everybody can do the job. I am of the opinion that if the dog is not properly taken care off and only deteriorating under a person who cannot handle the necessary then it is better to end the suffering earlier rather than later.
My concern is it is still necessary to screen the fosterer for suitability to take on the task of first keeping the dog alive to get through the critical stage and then next the intensive care. And then there is the issue of the reality and possibility of the high-needs/special-needs dog being passed from fosterer to fosterer (as not many if not any, can take the load and commitment for an indefinite period of time) when a home cannot be found as this is also a slim chance. I have seen with each move to a new fosterer, during the adjustment period, the dog always suffers some deterioration as the new fosterer struggles to adjust.
One of the ways I gauge the commitment level of my new clients is to assess how much they have changed their lives to accomodate their paralysed pet. When you have a paralysed anything in your life, it WILL require many changes to make things work. It is realistically hard for me to imagine a fosterer who will change most of their life to look after the special needs animal. And if the fosterer doesn’t then the dog is only suffering a prolonged death.
With Sunshine, Hopie, Moon Moon at the beginning of their injury, they would have required intensive care and someone who was able to be home bound or home at least 80% of the time. Maybe in future if a fosterer is needed for a severely paralysed dog, this should be mentioned at the begining. I can understand if one is afraid of frightening off potential fosterers but i feel this is the necessary we owe the injured dog.
It is also highly likely that fosterers do not want to foster for an indefinite period of time and the animal is passed to another fosterer, but usually, with the next foster placement, the animal may steadily deteriorate.
If fosterers are not screened for suitability for such special cases that require intensive care (with or without experience but with total commitment) then we throw it to chance whether the dog gets the care it needs or deteriorates to death and that robs the whole case of meaning and purpose to help the dog. Knowing what we know about the intensive care needed, it would be looking for the easy way out to just move the dog along if the dog were passed to any person without screening for suitability.
we can only hope we do better going forward…
W’e’ve had offers to take in Jenny Lim’s dog and they are liaising with her. I’m told that Jenny just wants someone to take over full responsibility of the dog. Now, she is going to send the dog to the vet tomorrow (looks like she has transport after all) and give the name of the new rescuer to the vet. I doubt this can work since no vet would simply take in anybody’s name.
I think we owe it to caution everyone what they may be getting themselves into. This dog may be paralysed, but for the dog’s sake, we certainly hope she is not.
It is very noble of anyone who wants to help, but please be prepared for 100% commitment and dedication to look after any special needs animal.
I’m not writing this with the intention of discouraging anyone from helping, but just to prepare whoever it is who wishes to take on the task.
Source: http://myanimalcare.org/2012/04/16/what-it-entails-to-foster-a-special-needs-animal/
AnimalCare is a registered society that promotes caregiving to street animals and helps in their neutering and medical needs. AnimalCare has a Medical Fund, Food Fund and Education Fund.
More Articles | Pets For Adoption | Website
AnimalCare 
Apr 16, 2012 
AnimalCare, NGOs 
0 comments
Facebook Comments