ST. GEORGE – Scratch, an 8- or 9-year-old full-breed schnauzer, represents one of many pets getting the short end of the stick as people in our community make hard choices in the face of financial despair.
Scratch landed on a resident’s doorstep, with nothing more than the hair on his scrawny little body, dropped there in hopes of finding at least a temporary home. The unwitting surprised owner of that doorstep eventually gave in to take a closer look, only to find that Scratch had some serious needs: Bleeding toe nails over an inch long, spiraling and twisted, bleeding in other ways, shaking and confused, Scratch needed attention.
Scratch was not his original name – but it is his now given name, as he came, a little scratch of a dog, and scratched surely with angst from his former owners’ care.
Taken to Red Hills Animal Hospital soon after, Scratch received a full evaluation, current shots, and care for his bleeding paws. Dr. Brad Esplin also kindly provided an X-ray at no charge, to assess his other needs.
Scratch ought to have a lot of years left to live; his veterinary care needs are not a band-aid fix for a dog that can’t survive. But they are more than our local shelters, city shelters and rescue shelters can provide.
St. George Animal Shelter and Washington City Animal Shelter both euthanize as needed, when an animal cannot be parlayed onward to the likes of P.A.W.S. P.A.W.S. is suffering for contributions and is essentially full. Other rescue shelters are also overburdened.
On behalf of Scratch, an unexpected donation fund has developed. SAVE SCRATCH NOW! It began with unsolicited and some anonymous donations from people who heard of Scratch’s plight.
At this time, the unwitting owner of the doorstep on which Scratch landed, has agreed to embrace Scratch into her home, provided the immediate veterinary expense can be met.
Red Hills Animal Hospital, 1067 East Tabernacle St # 1 St. George, UT 84770, 435-656-8886, is accepting donations to the SAVE SCRATCH NOW! fund! If response exceeds the need, overage will be allocated to Red Hills Animal Hospital’s own charity fund for animals in similar need and also to P.A.W.S.
Scratch is, in this case, a poster dog for the needs of many. Needs abound but as this or others press on hearts, they are not unsurpassable. St. George News looks forward to posting a follow-up story on Scratch and further reporting on the current state of affairs and needs with our animal shelters.
Donations can also be dropped off at PAWS, 1125 West 1130 North, 435-688-9748, or mailed to PO Box 910805, St. George, UT 84791. Donations must be marked “SAVE SCRATCH NOW.”