Success Stories

Below are the stories of SOME of animals that came to us needing EXTRA care.

These special cases are adopted for the same fee as those that don't need extra care. The difference between the adoption fee and the costs to help these and other 'special' rescued animals is made up by animal loving people like YOU. Click HERE to find out how to donate to RAIN.

Duchess Daisy is a dog that was nearly starved to death that one of he volunteers picked up from Seminole County Animal Control rather than have her put down. She was so weak she could not stand up long. Her sister was to far gone and was put to sleep. She was found in a ditch along side the road in Sanford. She has had x-rays that show the growth plates did not grow together due to lack of nutrition. She is just a pup and is extremely friendly. She likes to play with the cats at the Foster's home but has trouble getting around. She is walking now, but not for long. She will be going in shortly for more x-rays. Click on the picture for a bigger version. Total veterinarian bills were over $800, adoption fee was $75.

Squeakers was found along with his sister beside a busy street. We found that his breathing was labored and had the vet take x-rays. He had a diaphragmatic hernia, most likely induced by trauma. His diaphragm was ruptured and his intestines were up with his lungs. The vet was not optimistic and was surprised he had survived this long and suggested we put him to sleep. We wanted a second opinion, so he went to our 'special kitty' vet, The Cat Hospital of Orlando, the next day. She was more optimistic. Our President, OK'd the surgery, which was done later that day. Squeakers’ surgery, meds and recovery tent cost about $550. He was adopted out for $65, our normal fee at the time. Read his complete story HERE

Daisy was found at Orange County Animal Control laying in a cage, tail thumping madly when anyone approached her. Our hearts would not let us turn away so we adopted her. Her visit to the veterinarians found she had a broken leg, not spayed and was infected with heartworms and her eyes had ulcerated. The leg was set and pinned but the veterinarians did not want to spay her till later.

During recovery the next day the veterinarians noticed her labored breathing and took more x-rays. They discovered she also had a ruptured diaphragm. Her liver and intestines were in her lung cavity. The veterinarians suggested euthanasia because of the damage and the cost to repair it. We elected to give her a chance and she was rushed into surgery again. She came close to dying on the table and even though they were into the abdominal cavity they did not have the time to spay her because of her deteriorating condition. We were told she had less that a 50/50 chance and the next few days would be touch and go for her. To everyone surprise, mostly the veterinarian and their staff she sat up the next day, she still would not eat so she was forced fed for two days, but her tail still beat the cage when someone approached her. With the type of injuries the veterinarian guess she was hit by a car.

Twinkles

The message on the answering machine said there was an injured kitten behind the convenience store. We called back and were told a small kitten had an injured leg but they couldn't catch it. Two volunteers went out that evening to help. They spotted the 8 - 10 week old kitten and managed to catch it. Her leg had an open wound and she wasn't using it. We put Neosporin on the wound and put her in a cage to limit her movement. The next day the vet concluded she had been bitten by a dog. He prescribed and oral antibiotic along with the Neosporin. X-rays showed extensive bone damage. Time would tell what would happen to the leg. Twinkles, as she was now named, needed to be socialized. She was held often and was fast becoming a playful and socialized kitten. The wound closed up nicely and we started bringing Twinkles to adoption events. This allowed her to be handled by more of the volunteers to get her used to multiple people. A very nice older couple fell in love with her and wanted to adopt her. We decided to allow them to take her as 'foster parents' and we would continue her medical treatment. Later x-rays showed the bones knitting, however there were many bone fragments that would continue to cause pain whenever she tried to use the leg. Dr. Sumerlin, of The Cat Hospital of Orlando, advised amputating the leg when she was a little bigger. When the time came, Dr. Sumerlin performed the amputation and spayed her at the same time. Twinkles is doing fine now. Total cost of all treatments and tests: $500. Adoption fee: $80. The other $420 is made up by donations from people like YOU!. Click on the picture for a larger version. Click HERE to find out how to donate.

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