Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids

03/11/2025

‼️Donations Appreciated‼️
Happy Birthday Roscoe!
This sweet boy is in a fight for his life, with a lot of help from Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids. Roscoe came into CC’s medical system last November from our friends at Cedar Valley Pit Bull Rescue. This boy was born with congenital cardiac issues in his pulmonary valve and some in the tricuspid valve. He underwent a pulmonary Valvuloplasty in December at Iowa State University Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital Cardiology Service.

Roscoe had a recheck two weeks ago at ISU and the news was not good. His valve procedure failed. What this means is the balloon tore open the valve appropriately to allow blood to pass freely and without the narrowed valve obstructing the flow of blood. These are very successful procedures in both humans and animals. Instead, Roscoe’s body responded to the perceived point of injury -the valve, and worked hard to close it back up!

This is not a surgical failure. Like some people, dogs can be super healers, where the body does a stellar job of healing an injury. Roscoe’s body healed what the balloon opened up! Good in some circumstances, but not in this case. He is back in the severe heart failure risk category.

If Roscoe is to make it to birthday number two, we now have to have a stent placed in his pulmonary valve. This is more intensive and complex…and very expensive. We will be trying to raise money over the next couple of weeks as we get closer to the scheduled surgical date in early April. CC is short on funds and this will cost between $7,000-$9000. We have to help this joyous little boy. If you are so fortunate to assist, we would be very grateful.

Happy one year birthday to Roscoe…with our goal for many more to come.❤️🐾

Donations can also be made on our secure website which offers Venmo, Pay PAL, Apple and G Pay along with all major credit cards on check out. 100% of the process will go directly to Roscoes bill at ISU: CritterCrusadersCR.Org

CCCR, PO Box 10111, Cedar Rapids, IA 52410
FED EIN: 26-2921920.
We thank you❤️🐾

03/10/2025

Tiny puppy Millie came to Critter Crusaders at the end of December, from our friends at Heartland Humane Society in Ottumwa. They had a severely ill 9 week old puppy in heart failure. Millie was a big case for CC and we thank everyone who donated to her care.

She was admitted to the ICU at Iowa State University Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital in heart failure. Millie had PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus-informative link attached below), and she was in need of emergency heart surgery. The cardiologists and Critical Care staff worked on her non-stop over 24 hours and managed to stabilize Millie enough for her to survive the surgery the next day. She was one of the smallest pups ever to go into this procedure at ISU and they ran into complications, but managed to complete a successful surgery.

Millie has been recovering and she will return to ISU in May for a recheck with her cardiology team and an Echocardiogram! She is doing fantastic and we have very high hopes for a great report! Until then…little Miss Millie is living hard and fast as you can see in this adorable video from her foster mom Tracy!! Go Millie Go!❤️🐾
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/patent-ductus-arteriosus-in-dogs

03/10/2025

10 month old kitten Josette from our friends at the Humane Society of Northwest Iowa, had her recheck through Critter Crusaders with the Opthamology Service at Iowa State University Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital recently and the news is all good!

Josette was treated for a combination of conditions that could have robbed her of her eyesight, including severe conjunctivitis, mycoplasma and chlamydia.

After cultures and treatment at ISU, this doll face now has a healthy set of eyes and a long and happy future ahead of her! She is ready for adoption and we sure know that Josette, like most kitties is a HUGE fan of Churus!❤️😺🐾

03/08/2025

By Leaps and Bounds!

Winston arrived at Blue Pearl Cedar Rapids on January 23rd at a completely emaciated weight of barely 16lbs. He had wounds covering his body and he was so weak, standing was difficult. The doctors called CC for emergency assistance and of course we said a resounding yes!

He was transferred to Iowa State University Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital where he underwent blood transfusions and critical care while hospitalized. That is Winston’s former life and a memory for all of us who suffered through his horrible condition, knowing it was due to human failure.

His new life is incredibly different…filled with more attention and love than he knows what to do with! He is now fully vaccinated through CC and Dr. Brent Reimer assessed him for a luxating patella this past Thursday at Somerset Veterinary Hospital in Ames, where his foster mom Alex is a veterinarian. No surgery needed with a very low grade luxation! Awesome!

So Winston, who is in rescue with our friends at A Purposeful Life Animal Rescue & Sanctuary, completed some milestones this week….he hit the 30lb mark in his weight, got great news on his knee and snarfed down his very first pup cup with his foster mom, Alex Lindgren! Not bad for a dog who was suffering through a slow and deliberate death just a few short weeks ago!

These are the animals who inspire us to continue our mission of compassion at Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids. Winston is a survivor, full of resilience and love. He is so enamored with all the good that has come his way that his puppy butt just cannot stop the wiggle! We are all wiggling with you buddy!

For all of you who sent donations and prayers to Winston, please know that the photos you see today are YOUR goodwill in action. We are so very grateful for everyone in this very special dogs life! We are Team Winston❤️🐾

03/07/2025

Dakota and I were at UW Madison Veterinary Teaching Hospital today for his two week post surgical check up from his bladder resection and ureter stent surgery two weeks ago!

All went great and his lab work is good! This boy is such a well known rock star at UW…he had tons of people petting him…it’s tough to see this face and not be completely enamored by him! He loves it!

We will return with him in 2-3 weeks for his abdominal and urinary ultrasound to make sure things are looking good on the inside. We know he looks terrific on the outside! The “D” man is in the photo below with his awesome 4th year vet medical student Joe! ❤️🐾

03/06/2025

Sweetheart 10 month old kitten Petunia came to Critter Crusaders after a call for help from our great friends at Cedar Rapids Animal Care and Control. Petunia was picked up by an ACO (Animal Control Officer) after a Good Samaritan reported an injured kitten.

Petunia had a very graphic tail avulsion and partial amputation and she needed surgery. This kitty might have been injured in the engine compartment of a vehicle, perhaps trying to stay warm. It’s anyone’s guess. We picked her up at the shelter this past Monday afternoon and she went right into Frey Pet Hospital for admission. Petunia underwent a complete tail amputation on Tuesday with Dr. Heather Kingus. she is FELV/FIV negative which adds to our complete joy over this adorable little soul!

We called our friends at S.A.I.N.T. Rescue (Saving Animals in Need Today) and they have given Petunia a home in their organization for recovery and adoption. CC will continue to manage her care until she is healed! The white whiskers…the incredible tuxedo outfit…and all while now sporting a manx look, Petunia is a sweet little baby doll in a kitten suit!❤️🐾

03/06/2025

Dakota Update!

After 10 days hospitalized in the ICU at UW Madison through CC, multiple advanced diagnostics including a cystoscopy, Dakota from our friends at Animal Welfare Friends in Monticello, was discharged on Monday Feb. 24th and he has been happily recovering with his amazing foster dad Dave Weekly.

Dakota’s urinary issues were most likely brought about due to a situation where he became severely entangled in wire, entrapping his p***s and limiting his urine flow. This beautiful boy has been in our care since early December and his case is extremely complex.

Thanks to UW‘s ER, Internal Medicine and Surgery Services, Dakota underwent a complex surgery that involved resecting a portion of his bladder that housed chronic inflammation and bacteria. This has hopefully reduced his infection. Both kidneys contained fluid that was backed up from the bladder due to inflammation and obstruction in both of her ureters, the drain pipes from each kidney emptying urine into the bladder. His left ureter was worse on surgical inspection and the left kidney was retaining a greater amount of fluid than the right. A pigtail stent was surgically placed into that ureter to assist draining.

Dakota and I will travel to UW tomorrow for a recheck and assessment. He will have his sutures out too! We will update you all as well! He has felt fantastic since hospitalization and surgery and we are hoping for a good report tomorrow. We want to thank everyone for their donations towards Dakotas extensive care. Your generosity has greatly assisted us with his $15,000 plus bill.

His medical intervention has been absolutely lifesaving for this wonderful dog. Everyone adores him. Dakota will never be normal with his level of complex urinary injury, but our goal is to give him the very best life possible, and thanks to the great doctors, staff and his foster dad Dave, Dakota is well on his way to achieving that goal. He is pictured here with one of his internal medicine specialists, Dr. Vanessa Bruneau❤️🐾

03/05/2025

‼️ATTENTION PET PARENTS‼️
BLUE PEARL Veterinary Hospital Cedar Rapids March 2025 Emergency Service Schedule.

Please READ AND SHARE as this will directly impact your pets in need of emergency care if you live in or around the Eastern Iowa/Cedar Rapids area on the days marked in red.
Make plans now for your pets! The crisis in veterinary services continues with a lack of 24/7 Emergency Care in Cedar Rapids. All private practice clinics are maintaining their regular schedules.
After Hours Clinics that might be able to assist are listed below. Please call ahead. We thank Blue Pearl for making their schedule public.
————————————————————————————————
*Bright Eyes and Bushy Tails Open Monday -Friday 8
am-8pm. NOW OPEN BOTH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY from 8am-6pm. Except for Holidays.
Call 319-351-4256.
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*Blue Pearl Pet Hospital Des Moines open 24/7. 515-
727-4872. PLEASE CALL AHEAD.
——————————————————————————-
*Anamosa Vet Clinic might take after hours
Emergency’s depending on the case. 319-462-4853
please call ahead.
——————————————————————————-
*IVS Des Moines 24/7 ER Open. 515-280-3100.
PLEASE CALL AHEAD.
———————————————————————————
*Iowa State ER Service 515-294-4900. Please call
ahead for approval.
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*Animal Emergency Center of the Quad Cities. 5pm-8
am Monday through Thursday. Friday 5pm-Midnight.
Saturday and Sunday open 24 hours. Please call
ahead. 563-344-9599.
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03/05/2025

A big day Wednesday for P***y Poo!

This Rottie girl is as beautiful on this inside, as she is on the outside! P***y is admitted to Frey Pet Hospital tonight in preparation for a BIG surgery tomorrow through Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids. P***y will go into bilateral CCL knee surgery with the incredible Dr. Brent Reimer. This will be a lengthy recovery for her of at least twelve weeks and we hope it will be complication free! P***y deserves good knees!

This surgery has been a long time in coming for our Rottie girl from Last Hope Animal Rescue! We first had to address cancer that we found on her initial visit to Freys. We asked to have a couple of lumps aspirated and one was a soft tissue sarcoma. We always try to poke lumps and bumps just to be safe. P***y went to UW Madison several times for her cancer treatment and surgery. Now we are ready to tackle her knees!

We will update everyone on how she does after tomorrow’s procedures! We gotcha P***y Poo!❤️🐾

03/05/2025

Hi Everyone!
Due to the expected storms in our area, Cans for Critters will be closed Wednesday March 5th out of safety for our volunteers and supporters. We will be back open this Saturday as normal from 10am-Noon! Thank you all! Be safe!🐾

03/04/2025

Please Read‼️❤️🐾
So I felt the need to respond to criticism Critter Crusaders has received for not assisting a stray kitty. This is Jan Erceg and I am the founder and medical director for CC. This is in reference to comments made on Petunia’s post directly below this. The criticism is regarding a stray kitty, now named Leo, that we were we contacted about by multiple individuals. I feel very strongly that everyone is entitled to their opinions, good or bad. Never any hard feelings. This message is not intended to change anyone’s opinion. But perhaps an explanation will help with clarification.

We received multiple messages about assisting the kitty in the photo below. The kitty was not easily accessible as he could not be handled, but rather, needed to be trapped. When we receive messages like this, I try to make a notation of the caller(s) and phone numbers. As an example, over the last two and a half days, I have received over 30 phone calls for help. This is not an exaggeration.

I was initially told that when the kitty was trapped, there was a rescue on board to help. I told that rescue, due to our huge bills recently, we would not be able to send Leo to Blue Pearl Cedar Rapids due to the expense, but we would make arrangements for his vet care and a private practice clinic. Remember, Critter Crusaders in not a rescue. We are an animal medical and surgical non-profit for homeless pets through Iowa’s rescues and shelters. Every time we take a case, it is essential that we find a rescue home for that pet. Otherwise, we would have no place for the animal to go after hospital release. We have many amazing partner rescues.

In the neighborhood where Leo was first spotted, an individual was placing a trap for him and checking it frequently. There were so many good people trying to help this boy. This is exactly why we say “rescue always starts with one person who can’t walk away”. This is so true.

The original call for help came in last Wednesday. Leo was finally caught in the trap last Saturday. I was notified by a good friend and rescuer Britney Kunkle, that the kitty had been trapped. When checking with the original rescue that offered help originally, I was told that they had no place for the kitty to go. This is not their fault. Rescue is a very fluid thing and space fills up very quickly. It is difficult for any organization to hold space for an animal that might or might not be captured, when so many other requests are coming in.

Britney messaged me back and said Tracy Bell at Wildthunder Wildlife & Animal Rehabilitation & Sanctuary had a spot for this boy. PERFECT! Good news! I touched base with Tracy, once Leo arrived and we spoke about his injuries. I told her Critter Crusaders would take this case, we just couldn’t presently afford a big hospitalization at Blue Pearl in Cedar Rapids, and that we would cover the costs at Tracy’s clinic and she spoke to the Olewein clinic that night for orders from the vet. Tracy told me that Wildthunder already had a lot of donations and that her rescue could handle it. Since then, Tracy has updated me on Leo. He’s a lot to handle as a feral kitty but everyone has faith that he will settle in the days to come.

I am not writing this as any type of mea culpa, but I felt it necessary to explain what actually happens behind the scenes as most people don’t know the level of effort from multiple organizations that goes in to saving one pet. It is easy to pass judgment. Rescuing animals evokes a lot of emotion in all of us pet lovers. I am so very grateful that it does because it brings together an incredible amount of effort, positivity and goodwill when we all work together.

So if you think of all the messages and time that went into little Leo, multiply that by almost every case that we take at CC along with the multitude of phone calls and request each and everyone of our animal welfare and rescue organizations receive, and it can be very daunting and seemingly disorganized to those that don’t know all that goes on behind the scenes and off the lens of social media.

We want everyone to continue to be an animals best advocate. It all starts with you. Critter Crusaders appreciates and respects each of you. Criticism makes all of us stronger together and ultimately brings us to consensus. Self examination is always a good thing In an organization like ours. Together, we are all here for these animals who suffer so much. Thank you all for reading this. You have our appreciation.❤️🐾
Jan Erceg.

03/04/2025

A new patient at Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids! Meet Petunia!

This kitten came to our great friends at Cedar Rapids Animal Care and Control as a homeless stray, with a serious tail degloving injury. She was seen at Blue Pearl through the shelter initially on her intake. CC was called to assist because of her injury, so tomorrow Baby P will go into surgery at Frey Pet Hospital for a tail amputation.

Petunia is hospitalized tonight and she has been on good pain control. More to come after tomorrow’s surgery. Once released from Frey’s, she will go to our friends at S.A.I.N.T. Rescue (Saving Animals in Need Today) for her recovery and ultimate adoption! CC will managed her care until she is fully recovered! This is exactly what your donations do for homeless pets! ❤️🐾

03/03/2025

❤️PLEASE HELP US SHARE❤️
❤️VOTING THROUGH 5PM THIS WED❤️
Help Critter Crusaders win $500 for the animals!🐾
Will you give Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids a shout out on The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders facebook post and help us compete for a $500 donation? So many great non-profits in our area of course! Just click on this link, find the non-profit post below and just type our name in the comment section!❤️🐾

https://www.facebook.com/ridertownusa

Critter Crusaders funds go directly to provide lifesaving medical and surgical care for a huge variety of pets residing in many rescues and shelters in Iowa! Also, PLEASE give our RoughRiders a like and follow on their page! We love them!❤️

Happy Monday!

Know of a local nonprofit deserving of $500?

Tell us in the comments. We’ll choose three nonprofits to take part in Can Shed’s Containers for a Cause bottle toss during the first intermission of our March 22 game against Waterloo. The winning charity walks away with $500.00, courtesy of Can Shed.

Container redemption is rewarding, and Can Shed proves it by supporting our community. 💪

Nomination deadline: Wednesday, 3/5 at
5 PM.

Reminder: We’ve got two home games this weekend—3/7 and 3/9—against the Des Moines Buccaneers! 🏒🥅

Get your 🎟️ at
tickets.roughridershockey.com.

02/28/2025

THANK YOU SHELLY FOR FOSTERING WILEY THROUGH APL❤️

‼️FOSTER HOME NEEDED‼️.

Cedar Rapids Animal Care and Control needs to open up some kennel space for this upcoming weekend and the potential for an influx of of stray pets!

We are looking for a foster home for beautiful Wiley, who came to the shelter as a stray. Wiley appears unbothered by other dogs. He is a youngster at approx 1-2 years old and well mannered. He can be a bit shy at first but that is the case for so many pets who land at shelters.

Please respond to this post if you can help! If a foster is found, Wiley would be pulled into A Purposeful Life Animal Rescue & Sanctuary! Let’s get this sweet boy onto the next phase of his life!❤️

02/28/2025

Louise from A Purposeful Life Animal Rescue & Sanctuary and I did an all day road trip to UW Madison Veterinary Teaching Hospital Wednesday for her cancer recheck through Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids.

Lou underwent surgery through CC on a cutaneous melanoma on her hind limb in December and she is now going through a series of melanoma vaccines at UW Oncology Service. She and I have traveled over a thousand miles together so far and this 15 year old girl is just a complete joy….and she is doing great! No cancer spread and the tumor was completely (but narrowly) excised by UW’s amazing surgery service.

This weeks excursion included Susi Nehls, a great friend of ours from Paws on Your Heart Pet Rescue Support and CC’s own Julie Billett! The three of us have traveled to Madison together several times with CC pet patients and we always head to the same cafe for that HUGE cup of mocha coffee in the photo below! Many thanks to Susi for our lunch, too! Lou had a great check up and I am thrilled to say that this little princess is now my foster dog. Lou and I could not be happier! More adventures to come!❤️🐾

02/27/2025

Josette is a beautiful kitten that came to Critter Crusaders through our great friends at the Humane Society of Northwest Iowa shelter. This sweet girl had major eye issues so she went to the Opthamology Dept. at Iowa State University Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital on January 23rd. Josette had a conglomeration of problems including chlamydia and mycoplasma that contributed to her weakened immune system that allowed both eye to be horrible inflamed and painful. After a month of treatment, this girl will return to ISU this upcoming Friday for a recheck! Fingers crossed for a great report! Based on this adorable video, Josette is on her way to a happy, healthy and visual life!❤️🐾

02/25/2025

January 4th of this year was a life changing day for puppy Tally. Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids received a call from a good friend reporting a puppy in very poor condition. Tally was skin and bones and she went right into Blue Pearl Cedar Rapids for emergency care through CC. We contacted our great friends at Last Hope Animal Rescue and they became her rescue home. Once released from BPCR, Tally went into foster care with Shalome Tonelli.

Fast forward almost two months later and this little dynamo has never looked back! From a failure to thrive pup whose life was in question, to a growing pup with a healthy, happy future, Tally is living large while she grows like a little w**d! She is now fully vaccinated and ready to be completely adored!

Advanced medical care for homeless, abused and disadvantaged pets is a lifesaver and our passion at CC. We know Tally agrees!❤️🐾

02/24/2025

Dakota Update!

What an epic journey for this sweet boy. For the past ten days, Dakota from Animal Welfare Friends in Monticello has been hospitalized through Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids at UW Madison Veterinary Teaching Hospital. A multitude of problems within his entire urinary system has threatened his life, through no fault of his own.

The doctors have had their hands full with advanced imaging and diagnostics. This past Friday, Dakota went into a BIG day of procedures under anesthesia. The cystoscopy revealed problems with the urine flow in his left ureter (the tube coming from his kidney into his bladder). The right ureter transports urine better. His system is full of inflammation from chronic infections.

After the cystoscopy, Dakota went into surgery. The surgeons opened his bladder and resected a portion of it to get rid of that “crusty debris” that we had mentioned in his previous post. They placed a stent into his left ureter to open it up and promote a better passage of urine from the kidney. The back up of fluid in both kidneys, called hydronephrosis, is improved. The surgeons then revised the skin around his stoma opening.

Dakota has done just great. He is a total favorite at the hospital and the complexity of his case has specialists absolutely fascinated. This was the first step in more to come as we work to get this boy better. He will never have a normal urinary system, but what he has can be improved. He most likely will need further interventions but the doctors want him to heal first and to see how things play out.

We thank you all so much for your donations and well wishes. We know this case will top the 15k mark but it is hard to put a price tag on a dog that has been through so much adversity in his life, at the hands of humans. Sometime the only way we have to equalize the wrongs, is by returning these animals to their very best health and functionality. We think Dakota would agree. More to come on his incredible journey.❤️🐾