Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids

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Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids

Established in 2008, Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids is a 501c3 animal medical organization dedica Ellie’s plight became our inspiration. This is our passion!
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Our Story

This is the story of how Critter Crusaders was founded. In Feb 2008, a two year old Siberian Husky named Ellie, was surrendered to the Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter by her owner. Going blind from cataracts, the shelter was unable to afford the medical procedure that would restore her sight and make her adoptable. As shelter volunteers, we interacted with Ellie and could see the bleak real

ity of her future. She was one of countless other shelter animals in need of medical attention. Things became crystal clear to us. Homeless animals deserved access to medical care as a means to increase their adoptability and make them healthy. Our goal was set for Ellie. Raise the money and restore her sight. With the financial help of many generous people across Eastern Iowa, that goal was a success! Ellie received sight saving surgery in Ames. After recuperating, she was adopted in May 2008 by a family from Omaha, NE. On Friday, June 6th, 2008, Ellie and her family returned to Cedar Rapids to make an appearance at Grant Wood School to an all school assembly. They were there to say “Thank You” to the students who had helped raise funds for Ellie’s surgery. One week later, on Friday, June 13th, the Cedar River crested in a catastrophic event that changed lives forever. Cedar Rapids and surrounding communities experienced an epic flood, which wiped out the Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter and displaced hundreds of pets from their homes. That disaster strengthened our conviction to help our local homeless animals. In February 2009, Triton, a 6-week-old puppy with a badly broken front leg, limped into the Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter. With the help of many doctors and a great foster family, we were able to facilitate a complex surgery that included growing new bone while in an external fixator device. From start to finish this was a 4 month commitment of time and resources, and once again the public responded to our request for financial help. Our non-profit was first formed in the name of Friends of Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter. On March 19, 2009, we became an official 501c3. Later our name was officially changed to Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids on April 21, 2011. Our role has greatly expanded over the years to include partnerships with local rescues and shelters in Eastern Iowa. We are committed to assisting homeless, abused and neglected animals with advanced medical care that saves lives, mends broken bodies and restores health, happiness and adoptability. A true second chance at life. The commitment to form Critter Crusaders came from Ellie. The vision we had for her then, is the mission we continue today. One dog and one horrible time in Iowa’s history inspired us to succeed on behalf of all local homeless animals. We exist to provide the care they desperately need and deserve.

06/19/2024

Precious Samantha from our wonderful friends at Paws and More Animal Shelter in Washington Iowa, was seen at Blue Pearl Des Moines last week through CC, for increasing immobility in her front leg. Samantha underwent a CT scan to look for any lesions, tumors or fractures that would not be visible on xray. Dr. Spah did find a small lesion in her wrist joint. A sample aspirate was taken and sent in for pathology and we should have those results hopefully this week. Until them, Sammy is in her wonderful foster home. Huge thank you to Beth from Paws and More for transporting Samantha to and from her appointment! They are pictured together❤️🐾

06/19/2024

A HUGE Critter Crusaders thank you going out to Stephanie and her team at WCC Brands Custom Apparel, who orchestrated our recent apparel fundraiser. Everything from the ordering site, to the designs that were so adorable and on-brand for CC, and even selecting the types of items offered. Everything we received was just top notch quality. This group just really did everything to put this fundraiser together for us, and we cannot thank them enough. We equally appreciate all of you, our followers, who supported us! All together $773.70 was raised for the critters, how awesome you all are! We hope you are all enjoying your new CC items as much as we are 😊
We would also like to tell you all that Stephanie went over and above after the fundraiser had ended by producing, and then donating some custom bandanas to us! Our CC alumni pets Hemingway and Doobie are modeling the small size alumni style for us in the photos. If you would like one of these bandanas for your CC alumni pet, they will be available at our Kernels Bark in the Park events this summer, while supplies last!

06/18/2024

What an ordeal with beautiful Cedar who underwent emergency surgery last week with Dr. Rhonda Aper at Blue Pearl Cedar Rapids.

The doctors called CC for help when a kitty presented to the hospital with a major urinary blockage. Cedar had multiple large stones in his bladder and was in agony. Once out of surgery, it became clear how advanced this problem was as his bladder was a hot mess and his urethra not much better. Urine had backed up into his kidneys, causing a huge spike in his creatinine level. A prolonged event like this can result in catastrophic kidney damage.

Due to Blue Pearls closures, we opted to not move him to Des Moines or Ames. Instead and thanks to the dedication of Nicki Brodersen at S.A.I.N.T. Rescue (Saving Animals in Need Today), Cedar has been transported twice a day, spending each of the last four days at Blue Pearl for IV fluids and monitoring. Then he is discharged in the evening. This has allowed the doctors and staff to continue to hydrate his kidneys, as well as monitor the urinary catheter that remains in place.

Each day, Cedar is improving and feeling better. His kidney values have returned to normal and the blood clots in his catheter bag are resolving. Cedar will return next Tuesday for Dr. Aper to pull the urinary catheter and then do a X-ray contrast study to see if a small tear in his urethra is fully healed.

We thank everyone who has donated to Cedar‘s case. This will be several thousands of dollars by the time his treatment is complete. We know this beautiful boy is worth every penny.❤️🐾

06/18/2024

Critter Crusaders takes on so many pet patients for care in a years time. Rarely is there any lag time for requests. This beautiful boy named Ghost has been waiting a couple of weeks for his dermatology appointment with Dr. Christine Graham at Blue Pearl Cedar Rapids.

Tomorrow will be his first appointment and we can not wait to meet this handsome young man from East Texas Hoof and Paw Animal Rescue. We will have more information on beautiful Ghost tomorrow. Until then, welcome to CC’s safety net, buddy!❤️🐾

06/17/2024

Cute beyond belief!
Tiny kitten Minni is overcoming four different fractures in both hind limbs and hips! Surgical intervention for Minni through Critter Crusaders will occur when she is older. For now, these youngster’s heal so quickly on their own, that the window of opportunity for fracture surgery after sustaining a traumatic injury, is very short. Mini’s healing great and time will tell what we have to do for her in the future! In the meantime, kitten’s just wanna have fun!

06/16/2024

Bark in the Park! June 25th! Join your friends at Critter Crusaders for Iowa’s best dog party!

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06/16/2024

Happy Fathers Day to every individual who has mentored, cared for or made a difference in the life of a child or pet! Thanks to Kimble's dad, Kyle Kelley!

06/14/2024

Another major emergency Thursday! Donations appreciated!

We received an urgent call for help from our veterinary partners at Blue Pearl Cedar Rapids yesterday. A beautiful cat was to be euthanized for a urinary blockage, but thanks to the support of so many of our followers, CC is able to take these dire emergencies from many vets and clinics who call us to intervene in fate.

Cedar was obstructed due to a urinary bladder full of multiple stones. It was imperative that we acted quickly and we thank Dr. Rhonda Aper for taking Cedar into an emergency surgery. His bladder was very angry and inflamed. He remains hospitalized and on IV fluids.

We have had so many kitty emergencies lately. Veterinary care as you know, is extremely expensive and our resources are certainly limited, but we work day and night to save these pets. If you are so fortunate to donate to Cedar’s care, we would be so appreciative. 100% of every penny goes directly to his surgery and care.

This boy is around 3 years old and deserves his happily ever after. We thanks our great friends at S.A.I.N.T. Rescue (Saving Animals in Need Today) for accepting Cedar into their rescue for future adoption. More to come on Cedar’s journey back to health.❤️🐾

Pay Pal: CritterCrusadersCR.Org and click on the donate button or donate via mail at:
CCCR, PO Box 10111, Cedar Rapids Iowa 52410

We thank you.❤️🐾

06/12/2024

Here are the dates of Emergency Service (ER) Closures in June 2024 at Blue Pearl Cedar Rapids! The days with no print in the box indicate that the ER service is Open 24 hours.
All other specialties at the hospital are open Monday through Thursday/Friday, including Dermatology, Internal Medicine and Surgery. We thank Blue Pearl for posting their schedule to the public each month!
HERE IS A LIST OF CLINICS THAT MIGHT BE ABLE TO ASSIST when CR Blue Pearl ER Service is closed. PLEASE CALL FIRST.
———————————————————————————————————-
*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.
——————————————————————————-
*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.
———————————————————————————
*Somerset Vet Clinic in Ames. M-Friday URGENT CARE Until 10pm.
Please call ahead. 515-292-0400.
——————————————————————————————
*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.
——————————————————————————————
*Den Herder Veterinary Hospital in Waterloo
If you are a CURRENT, ACTIVE CLIENT at this hospital, Den Herder will take after hours emergency call. ONLY if you are a current active client, however.
319-232-5292.
—————————————————————————————————

06/12/2024

And it is now time to meet the cutest kitten in the world!
Lincoln came to us this past Sunday as an emergency after a wonderful lady called us for help. She had found an extremely tiny injured kitten having trouble walking, in Cedar Rapids. We took a very quick board vote to assist this kitten and we sent them into our wonderful partners at Blue Pearl Cedar Rapids.

Lincoln was admitted to to the hospital through the ER Service and of course, everyone lost their minds when they saw this floofy doll face! We sure did! Lincoln had X-rays and then was evaluated by surgeon Dr. Rhonda Aper Monday morning. The great news is there are no fractures anywhere. He does have alot of soft tissue swelling and bruising to his little hind legs and tummy, but nothing to surgically repair. So a little kennel rest and a lot of love will do the trick!

Lincoln is in rescue with our great friends at S.A.I.N.T. Rescue (Saving Animals in Need Today) and we will continue to re-evaluate him for any additional medical needs that might crop up. Take a seat now, so you don’t totally collapse from this cuteness overload when you look at his photos! Ladies and gentleman, Lincoln is in the house!❤️🐾

06/12/2024

Meet Minni!
This tiny tyke came to us from a phone call from Jody Bailey, a good friend of CC’s. Jody is a foster for Last Hope Animal Rescue as well as part of a TNR team in Johnson County. Jody is also a very experienced medical foster, as she has Morris, a beautiful orange boy with CC who was shot in the leg.

Minni was initially evaluated by a vet clinic that found a nasty femur fracture on her hind limb. Once CC took her case, we made a surgical consult at Blue Pearl Cedar Rapids with her amazing Dr. Rhonda Aper this past Monday. Minni had additional X-rays that revealed multiple fractures, not just the femur. Those injuries included a femoral neck fracture, a tibial fracture and a pelvic fracture. Four total fractures on both of her tiny hind legs.

Believe it or not, Minni is wonky walking. This is due to the amazing healing power in youngsters as the body will always work to heal itself. Impressive! Our plan with Dr. Apers guidance, is to let nature do the work. We will pull Minni back in to Blue Pearl in about 6 weeks for X-rays and another evaluation to monitor the progress. Dr. Aper feels that she will have to have an FHO surgery in the future and possible an amputation of one of the hind limbs, but not before the growth plates close. So time will be Minni’s very best friend and we will reevaluate as we go.

Sometimes with these extensive injuries and complex medical cases, patience becomes our best friend as we wait to see how Minni’s incredible body works to heal itself. You go, adorable girl!❤️🐾

06/12/2024

CC has a new girl in our medical system. Meet Samantha from our wonderful friends at PAWS & More Animal Shelter in Washington Iowa. This senior sweetheart was initially evaluated at Frey Pet Hospital through the good folks at Paws. Her front limb gradually became very lame. During her appointment, no structural reason was found for her lameness. The next step required more advanced diagnostics and CC was called.

Our concern for Sammy is real. She can no longer use her limb. We feel that there is an underlying cause to this not revealed by X-ray. She will travel to Blue Pearl Des Moines tomorrow for an appointment with surgeon Dr. Chad Spah who will evaluate her. Our goal is for Sammy to undergo a CT scan which can reveal a wide variety of issues not picked up by X-rays, in the hope that this is something that can be improved. We have had pets present with similar symptoms caused by nerve root tumors or neurological issues. So we have our fingers, toes and eyes crossed for a diagnosis on this sweet faced little girl.

More to come on Sammy’s journey!❤️🐾

06/12/2024

CC has been soooo busy! Thanks for hanging with us to get updates on all that we have going on. Monday was crazy with 6 appointments on multiple pets. Last night Baby’s foster mom called to report that this kitty wasn’t eating or acting right. Baby was hospitalized for several days at Blue Pearl CR and underwent surgery for a fractured mandible. Dr. Aper was only able to repair one fracture. The second one was in a location that was hard to access and required tiny plates and screws. Baby did good initially, once he started to eat, but we knew this was a bit of a crap shoot.

He went back into the hospital last night with the doctors and staff reporting that his jaw looked displaced again. This morning we made the decision to transfer this little biscuit-maker to Iowa State University Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital. Baby was admitted through the ER Service and is hospitalized tonight. Tomorrow he will undergo a CT as an if his mandible injury to make sure there are no additional fracture area that X-rays did not pick up. From there, we will have a treatment plan.

This kitten LOVES dogs, loves other cats and is just a very special little boy. His foster mom Trish Ringold from S.A.I.N.T. Rescue (Saving Animals in Need Today) is extremely good with complex medical issues and Baby is certainly benefitting from her expertise. We will keep everyone posted as we will have additional information Wednesday.❤️🐾

06/10/2024

We have two new babies at Critter Crusaders tonight! It really is raining kittens and this time of year we always see a huge influx of these little guys with a multitude of injuries and illnesses. We will have more information tomorrow on both Minni and Lincoln. Both kittens are emergency cases and both have traumatic injuries. More to come, tomorrow. Lincoln is hospitalized tonight at Blue Pearl Cedar Rapids. Minni will see surgeon Dr. Rhonda Aper tomorrow for a surgical consult at 9am for a severe femur fracture. Say a prayer for both of these precious little kids.

06/08/2024

And THIS is why we save animals!
Through his multiple jaw fractures and surgery through CC, Baby has an intact will to survive as this video shows the youngster voraciously eating through a syringe, with the great vet techs at Blue Pearl Cedar Rapids! Our hungry little boy!❤️

06/07/2024

Can you help our friends at A Purposeful Life Animal Rescue & Sanctuary? Please share! Kola needs a loving foster home with no other pets. Please open your heart to this beautiful girl! ❤️

06/07/2024

Am I mighty tiny….or tiny mighty?
We think you are tiny mighty Mack, as you survived a serious degloving injury of your front paw and look at you now, son! Thriving!

Little Mack came to CC as an emergency through our friends at Hero's Haven Animal Rescue on May 23rd. We sent him directly into to our vet partners at Blue Pearl Cedar Rapids where he was hospitalized, and received emergency care. Mack was so lucky that infection did not set in, though it did appear he would lose his foot.

The good news is that after multiple bandage changes and wound care through CC at both Blue Pearl and Heartland Vet Clinic Fairfax, the amazing healing powers of youth and great medical care, have healed his nasty wound. We can now say that this kid will not need an amputation!

Way to go little Mack! You are tiny and MIGHTY….with a little help from your friends!❤️🐾

06/07/2024

Layla says “I’m doing good after my big surgery”!

This 14 week old little adorable was facing euthanasia before Anamosa Vet Clinic reached out for help. CC took Layla’s emergency case on Thursday May 23rd and shortly after accepting her, she was off to foreign body surgery with the good doctors at Anamosa Vet Clinic. Today, Layla is raring to go and enjoying her puppyhood with her fosters through Adopt A Pal Animal Rescue. For every pet we save at Critter Crusaders, it is imperative that we thank you, our donors, followers and supporters. Together, we form a team of compassion for the animals who need us the most.❤️

06/06/2024

Update on Baby!

This little boy has been hospitalized at Blue Pearl Cedar Rapids since this past Monday when a wonderful individual called us for help. Baby’s jaw was completely shifted to the side and during his hospitalization, he was found to have two fractures of his mandible which is the lower jaw. Much of the tissue connecting the gums was disrupted as well.

Dr. Rhonda Aper took little Baby into surgery yesterday late afternoon. She was able to repair the fracture that was in the “midline” of the mandible, but the fracture that was closest to his skull could not be repaired. That would require a dental surgeon. We are confident that he will heal well and ultimately, we will need to pull one of his adult canines when it comes in, to avoid a problem with his chewing and mastication.

Throughout today, Baby has shown no interest in food. The doctors are giving him until tomorrow and if he doesn’t eat, they will place a surgical feeding tube, called an esophagostomy tube that is inserted through the side of the neck and into into the esophagus. These tubes are great because they will bypass the areas of injury, giving him the nutrition he needs to heal without the pain of chewing and swallowing!

We want to thank everyone for your amazing donations, thoughts and prayers for Baby. This will be a very expensive case but our tiny boy is so worth it! We also thank our dear friends at S.A.I.N.T. Rescue (Saving Animals in Need Today) for accepting Baby into their rescue with CC continuing to manage his care. The vet techs report that anytime he is held, Baby spends his time making biscuits on their arms! Such a wonderful kid!❤️🐾

06/06/2024

Biscuit has been in our medical system for the last three years and for good reason! This beautiful American Water Spaniel has several congenital defects in his heart. Biscuit came to us a puppy from the Cardiology Service at UW Madison Vet Teaching Hospital. CC has significant experience in managing pets with a wide variety of complex cardiac issues. Most of these tough cases go to Colorado State Veterinary Teaching Hospital as they lead the nation in advanced cardiac care!

Biscuit was seen at CSU last September for a recheck and all was well with his little ticker! This boy even sports a stent in his pulmonary valve! Biscuit has had a few concerning episodes of what appears to be cardiac insufficiency or perhaps arrhythmias. He was seen at Blue Pearl Cedar Rapids today and he will have an Echocardiogram next week. So far so good!

Biscuit is such a lucky boy as many dogs would not have survived to this point without medical intervention. He is joyous and happy and why wouldn’t he be…he lives with his incredible Last Hope Animal Rescue foster moms, Kathy and a Nancy on a beautiful acreage with a HUGE pond! Of course as an AWS, his favorite past time is swimming! Saving pets is always a collaborative effort and we are so appreciative to our great friends at Blue Pearl Cedar Rapids for making sure Biscuit was A-OK today! He is pictured here with one of our very favorite emergency doctors, Alex Hohman!❤️🐾

06/04/2024

Emergency tonight! Donations Appreciated!
CC received a call from Mason Wiles who found a kitty in the Iowa City area with a badly injured jaw. This kid is about 4-5 months old and can not eat or drink due to the injury. We are waiting to hear from the doctors at Blue Pearl Cedar Rapids. We know that most likely, Baby will need surgical intervention.
We will keep everyone posted as to our next steps with this little one. Thanks to Mason for her tremendous advocacy on behalf of this kitten.❤️🐾

If you are so fortunate to donate to Baby’s care, please go to our website to donate:
CritterCrusadersCR.Org
or
CCCR, PO Box 10111, Cedar Rapids Iowa, 52410.
Fed Non-Profit EIN: 26-2821920.
We thank you!❤️🐾

06/04/2024

The emergency photo that we posted of little Jack last week certainly did not do him justice! After hospitalization at Blue Pearl Cedar Rapids through CC, Jack is back with his foster mom Eddna and doing very well! Now here we have the real Jack!❤️😁

06/02/2024

Who’s a happy dog? Aspen is a happy dog!❤️
Oh my gosh, we love this girl sooo much. Born with a multitude of congenital orthopedic abnormalities, Aspen is just a darling, floofy little piece of popcorn, totally enamored with her new beds! This girl is missing both of her front legs, but that doesn’t slow her down! Her foster momma, Rochelle Lynn Sparks meets all of Aspen’s needs and then some! Our pets, just like kids, get so excited when there is something new in their world!❤️🐾

06/01/2024

Tiny little Mack was an emergency last week that came into us through our friends at Hero's Haven Animal Rescue. He spent some quality time at Blue Pearl Cedar Rapids with a front paw that had the skin and tissue stripped away. This is called a degloving injury. Mack was released from Blue Pearl and we are now continuing his treatment at Heartland Animal Hospital Fairfax. The doctors are working to stimulate healing on that front paw. All Mack knows is that he is a happy little dude, full of playful kitten cattitude! Keep it up, kid! You’re doing great!

05/31/2024

Another emergency this past Wednesday afternoon!
Adopt A Pal Animal Rescue contacted us about a one year old little terrier mix who suddenly became lethargic, with stiff front legs and a head type of tilt. A quick 3 minute vote by the CC board of directors and this youngster was on his way to Blue Pearl Cedar Rapids for emergency care.

Jack was hospitalized over night and released this afternoon after extensive testing including bile acids that can detect issues within the liver. Our plan for Jack is to see how he does at home for a few days, then we will follow up with a neurology appt. at UW Madison if problems reoccur. Time will tell his story. Until then, he is back home with foster mom Eddna. Welcome to Critter Crusaders buddy!❤️🐾

05/31/2024

“A Rescuers Journey”
(Triton was a Critter Crusader puppy from the Cedar Rapids shelter in 2009. He was hit by a car on Edgewood road at 9 weeks of age, receiving extensive surgery on a badly fractured elbow through CC. I adopted him two years later after his first adoption failed, due to his fear aggression. He is now 15 years old).

My precious Tri-Tri and I JUST arrived back home from another long road trip to and from UW Madison Veterinary Teaching Hospital! Triton has undergone extensive advanced imaging and treatment after being diagnosed two weeks ago with a tumor in his cervical spine. He returned to UW this past Tuesday, undergoing additional radiation therapy on the lesion. He has had five treatments total. When he arrived at UW ER two weeks ago today, he had suddenly lost control of all four limbs 12 hours earlier. A big deal for sure.

From the ER Service, to the amazing Dr. Libby Luek from the Neurology Service to Kim Legler of the Radiology Service, to Radiation Oncology and Abby in Medical Oncology, I have worked with these great advocates for over 16 years at Critter Crusaders. Libby and the rest of them certainly came to the “rescue” of the “rescuer” in this situation. They moved heaven and earth for my Triton and I can not fully express my love and gratitude to all of them. We talk about UW Madison all of the time on our posts. Their advocacy toward every single pet patient in their care is something you have to experience, as words and platitudes simply aren’t enough.

Triton now has use of all of his limbs. He is fully functional. Through my work with Critter Crusaders, much like my many years as a Paramedic with Area Ambulance Service, medicine inspires me each and every day. The miracles that are produced in both the human and veterinary realm, are incredible and those that devote their lives to these noble professions do it to create amazing comebacks, just like this. It is their passion and it is all about hope.

Life has so many twists and turns. In my many years I have learned not to sweat the small stuff. I also have absolute faith that during life’s worst moments, the best of humanity always appears. It certainly did for one Iowa dog. Welcome home Tri. For whatever time we are given together, it is a huge blessing, buddy! Time to let that bell ring!❤️🐾

05/29/2024

We apologize for the slow posting of updates over the last few days! I have had my own dog receiving cancer treatment at UW Madison along with two other Critter Crusaders pets, so I have been on the road, back and forth to Wisconsin several times in the last two weeks!

On the same evening we took in tiny kitten Mack with the degloved front paw, Thursday May 23rd, we also received an emergency call to assist a puppy at Anamosa Vet Clinic. This 14 week old girl named Layla, presented to the hospital for euthanasia for a possible foreign body obstruction. CC took the case quickly and little Layla went into emergency surgery. She is doing fantastic and was released from the hospital this past Monday. We will have several new pets to update you all on soon! Meet sweetie pie Layla!❤️

05/27/2024

In Memory. With Profound Gratitude.❤️

05/26/2024

Happy Memorial Day Weekend Everyone!
As we take that first step into summer, the world around us changes into bright greens, abundant sunshine and the excitement of being in the great outdoors! No one is living that dream more than Tux, a Critter Crusaders alumni, from Friends of the Animals Shelter, Tipton Iowa!

Tux came into our CC medical system as a dog on the run for sixth months, finally being captured on Dec. 31st, 2021 by Paws of Hope Rescue Team. In the process of his travels, Tux lost his lower hind limb, most likely to a trap. After a revision surgery and fabrication of a prosthetic limb from Orthopets through CC and with Dr. Christi Carlo at Avondale Vet Hospital in Des Moines, Tux is on all fours and enjoying an active life with his adoptive parents, Brenda and Phil Peterson.

Tux loves to spend time with his family at their lake cottage in Minnesota and he is a total pontoon and water dog! He is also able to swim with his prosthetic as they are waterproof! This is exactly why we are so very appreciative of our supporters and donors who make these miracles happen for the animals we serve! Together, we are a team of compassion for the pets who suffer the most! Happy summer Tux!❤️🐾

Address

PO Box 10111
Cedar Rapids, IA
52410

Telephone

+13193508295

Website

http://www.crittercrusaderscr.org/

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Videos

Ritzi, from our friends at Hero's Haven Animal Rescue, will return to Blue Pearl Cedar Rapids tomorrow for a bandage change, X-rays and evaluation of his healing. He fractured the heel of a hind paw 5 weeks ago and had surgery through CC with Dr. Rhonda Aper. It is tough to keep a young kitty down and foster mom Katie has had her hands full trying to limit wild child Ritzi’s activity! We love this video because we can all relate to what it feels like being cooped up for far too long! Hang in there Ritzi buddy! 🤣❤️🐾

And look at little Cutie Pie go! This puppy warrior is working hard to recover from a nasty elbow fracture and surgery through CC at Iowa State University Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital. This is her second week in rehabilitation at Iowa State! Pie is doing great and she is from our good friends at the Ames Animal Shelter.

Every stray or homeless pet needs a hero. Especially when they are sick or injured. Rudy is a Puggle girl who was surrendered to our friends at the Dubuque Regional Humane Society. Last September 13th, Rudy lost the ability to move her back legs. She had no sensation of pain. She was a paraplegic, dragging herself across the floor of the shelter, wondering what happened to her once happy life. Heartbreaking. Thankfully the shelter called Critter Crusaders for help. Our donors allow us through their support, to make miracles happen everyday for homeless pets like Rudy. With multiple appointments, hospitalizations, an MRI and a big spinal surgery at UW Madison through CC, Rudy regained her ability to walk, though the neurosurgeons did not recommend surgery, giving her less than a 10% chance to ever walk again. We always make decisions based on the best interest of these pets, and that one word that carries more weight than any other in the English language, HOPE. Had we taken medical advice, Rudy would be in a wheelchair today. A HUGE portion of Rudy’s wonderful long term result was all thanks to Dr. Katie Merkes and her amazing team at GoodLife Integrative Veterinary Care in Dubuque. Rudy had months of intense rehabilitation therapy and this made all the difference in her ability to stabilize herself, walk without an ongoing wobble and muscle weakness and eventually, run with abandon! Dr. Katie’s Tech, Kat Marner just sent us this video of Rudy, enjoying life with her family. A life that she almost didn’t have, if not for so many good people coming together for this one sweet Puggle. We are so proud to be part of her story. We are so grateful to everyone who stood by her, when she couldn’t stand. Run like the wind, Rudy girl! You can’t see us, but we are right there with you.❤️🐾

Our orange boy Morris has fully recovered from his gunshot and leg amputation surgery through CC on December 30th and he is successfully navigating life as a happy tripod! This is just the sweetest cat ever…a total lap lizard and love sponge! We can not thank Gabe McGowan from Benton County enough for saving Morris’s life by calling CC! Morris is enjoying the company of other cats as this purrr-fest video shows! Morris is in foster care with Jody Bailey from Last Hope Animal Rescue.❤️🐾

Benny has been released from Blue Pearl Cedar Rapids! This poor kid was slowly dying from massive infections to both of his front legs from bite wounds, when CC took his case. Thanks to the wonderful team of doctors and staff at Blue Pearl, after six days of hospitalization and surgery, Benny is in his S.A.I.N.T. Rescue (Saving Animals in Need Today) foster home tonight with Karey and her family who rescued him. He will spend a few days recovering with additional vet checks and we are very hopeful for his future. We are so thrilled for you buddy. Thanks to everyone who sent well wishes and donations for his care through CC. More to come on Benny's amazing journey to health.❤🐾

Benny Update! We want to thank everyone for their donations to Benny’s care. As usual, this will be a very expensive case for CC. Benny was admitted to Blue Pearl Cedar Rapids through CC last Sunday after wonderful people found him suffering through severe injuries that were most likely animal bite wounds. He has been hospitalized since. Tuesday this kitty went into surgery with Dr. Rhonda Aper to open up and debride very swollen and infected front limb wounds on both legs . It was nasty as she flushed a ton of infection and purulent material from both limbs. He is feeling better today after this procedure. He remains on IV antibiotics, and good pain control. This will be a very lengthy recovery as these wounds continue to drain and require bandage changes. Today, Dr. Beth Streeter, who is a huge advocate for kitties suffering through the effects of a tough life outside, finally got Benny to eat. He is anemic and this could be from these injuries festering for a long time before he was found. Benny is quite frightened in the hospital but there is no doubt the care he is receiving is life and limb saving for him. The poor guy looks rough but we have no doubt that his life is now on the upswing. This video is from Karey who rescued Benny last weekend before his hospital admission and acceptance into Critter Crusaders and SAINT Rescue. He was certainly in rough shape. More to come on Benny’s very lucky journey to health.❤️

Puppy Max from our friends at Last Hope Animal Rescue, has had a tough go of his upper front limb fracture. CC took this boys case at the end of December and he went into a big surgery with Dr. Aper at Blue Pearl CR to repair this nasty fracture which involved the elbow. The elbows are just the worst place to fracture. Max has had weeks of healing but he is still experiencing lameness in the limb. On Feb. 27th, Dr. Aper took Max back into surgery to remove all of the hardware and pins that were initially placed to help heal the bones in the correct position. Sometimes pins migrate and the hardware itself can create issues. So Max has another week of inactivity as he recovers from this latest procedure through CC. We have high hope for a good recovery and though his front limb will never be perfect, it will be usable and comfortable. This video was from his foster mom Sara as Max was getting some much needed muscle strengthening activity before this most recent procedure! One more week of recovery buddy…then it is time to be a puppy!❤️🐾

We have just the sweetest video of little Pyne, our frostbite kitten who lost her nose and ears, recently. Pyne was giving some love and appreciation to her Better Together Rescue foster mom, Bri❤️. We love you baby Pyne!

The most amazing boy! Morris is our little tripod gunshot dude and is he thriving! It is SO easy to love this kid! His foster mom Jody Bailey just sent us this and we had to share!❤

Monday was Funday with Bob! This gorgeous, comical boy who is just completely possessed with a talkative, joyous personality, had an appt. with dermatologist Dr. Christine Graham at Blue Pearl Cedar Rapids. CC has been treating Bob for allergies and extremely poor body condition. He was a stray at his intake and just a hot mess of a poor pooch. Bob’s foster mom Anne Duffy is a very experienced Veterinary Technician who ran the Kirkwood Vet Tech program for many years and we think Bob gained an amazing village when Cedar Rapids Animal Care and Control rescued him in a park where he was scrounging for food. The shelter asked us to take his medical case and we were tickled to help this boy. Our very first (rough-coated) Collie in our 16 year history! Bob will go into allergy testing and a skin biopsy with Dr. Graham on Feb. 26th. He looks great and feels wonderful though we still have a way to go with him. It is hard to be around Bob without a huge cheesy smile on your face! This boy is a total comedian and attention hog. We are positive he is a human disguised in a dog suit! Keep bringing us the joy and smiles, buddy! Life is your oyster….and you are slurping it up!❤️🐾

Whose a happy boy? Morris is a happy boy! His sutures are out and he is learning that the indoor tripod life is the BEST! For a kitty suffering through a gunshot and the ravages of human depravity...we think Morris has the last laugh!

A true little miracle in motion. From unconscious and hypothermic to a total munch monster….Katie is making big strides! Thank you Shayla for this adorable video!❤️🐾

And that's a wrap! Darby was at Iowa State University Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital today for a recheck on her badly fractured humerus. This sweetie pie was placed randomly over a back yard fence in SW Cedar Rapids with a note attached to her collar, pleading for someone to help her. She had been injured and her owners lacked the means to care for her injuries. CC stepped forward to surgically assist after receiving a call from Dr. Loni Ellsworth at Heartland Animal Hospital Fairfax about Darby. In turn, we contacted our friends at A Purposeful Life Animal Rescue & Sanctuary. From November 3rd, 2023 to today, January 16th, 2024, Darby has been recovering from a big surgery that included an external fixator charged with holding her fractured bones in alignment, giving her time to heal. This was a labor intensive injury for foster mom Renee and her family, with frequent bandage changes and twice a day cleaning of the pins that were inserted through Darby's bones. Today, Darby had 8 week x-rays and she has healed beautifully! The doctors were able to remove the fixator, extracting the pins from the bones. Darby is now free of the skeletal device that served such a wonderful purpose. She has another month of restricted activity to allow the pin tracks to fill in with bone, but then she is free! This little girl is such a complete joy and in our 16 years at CC, she has absolutely been the best patient! Tonight she is home with Renee, Ryan and the kids. By the looks of this video reunion with Renee, we know the love will be shared equally between all of them! Good girl Darby Sue! You are so adored!❤🐾

Penelope has been ADOPTED! We could not be happier for this sweet girl and her brand new family! Kari and Megan are just the best mom’s “P” could possibly have! Penelope joins her “siblings” Dougie the Golden Retriever and Beatrice…also called Bea, the Doodle in their beautiful Iowa City home overlooking the Iowa River! We will be posting photos of the party that Kari and Megan had for P’s adoption AND her birthday, as the prior life of being a bait dog for training fighters is now over. She has healed from her massive injuries and her real life now begins! P harbors no resentment or ill will! Her heart is open and she is absolutely in love with her new family, Kari, Megan, Bea and Doug! Kari made a cake for the occasion as we all joined in to sing happy birthday and adoption day to Penelope! Sue Hartung is P’s foster momma and Sadie Sell is the director of A Purposeful Life Animal Rescue & Sanctuary. Jan from Critter Crusaders had the honor (and the strength) to hold our 53 pound girl for the video! We are so proud of you P! You are true perfection, sweetheart! This is your new beginning❤️🐾

Mr. Morris our gun shot kitty at Frey Pet Hospital! Sweetest boy ever!❤️

Lilly Rose! Critter Crusaders just picked up our precious Lilly Rose at UW-Madison after bladder cancer surgery and she’s doing great! Any time Lilly sees people she loves…her beagle bay is unmistakable! Such an amazing trait for the sweetest dog ever! We love you so much, Lil❤️🐾

Major Zoomies! Puppy Tiki from Homeward Bownd Siberian Husky Rescue, isn't letting any grass grow under her 4 little paws as we wait for a recheck next week at Animal Eye Consultants. Tiki was diagnosed with glaucoma last week at her emergency appointment with Dr. Grozdanic through CC. Foster mom Michelle says her eye looks better! We are hopeful this might have been vaccine induced! We gotcha baby Tiki!❤

We have a very happy little Darby girl as she continues to heal from a severe front limb fracture in her A Purposeful Life Rescue foster home. Darby goes to Frey Pet Hospital Tuesday morning for the bumper change on her external fixator! We can't wait to see her!❤🐾

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Our Story

Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids is a 501c3 animal medical organization dedicated to providing medical care for the homeless shelter and rescue animals throughout Eastern Iowa.

The Story of How Critter Crusaders was Founded

In Feb 2008, a two year old Siberian Husky named Ellie, was surrendered to the Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter by her owner. Going blind from cataracts, the shelter was unable to afford the medical procedure that would restore her sight and make her adoptable. Ellie’s plight became our inspiration.

As shelter volunteers, we interacted with Ellie and could see the bleak reality of her future. She was one of countless other shelter animals in need of medical attention. Things became crystal clear to us. Homeless animals deserved access to medical care as a means to increase their adoptability and make them healthy. Our goal was set for Ellie. Raise the money and restore her sight. With the financial help of many generous people across Eastern Iowa, that goal was a success!

Ellie received sight saving surgery in Ames. After recuperating, she was adopted in May 2008 by a family from Omaha, NE. On Friday, June 6th, 2008, Ellie and her family returned to Cedar Rapids to make an appearance at Grant Wood School to an all school assembly. They were there to say “Thank You” to the students who had helped raise funds for Ellie’s surgery.

One week later, on Friday, June 13th, the Cedar River crested in a catastrophic event that changed lives forever. Cedar Rapids and surrounding communities experienced an epic flood, which wiped out the Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter and displaced hundreds of pets from their homes. That disaster strengthened our conviction to help our local homeless animals.

In February 2009, Triton, a 6-week-old puppy with a badly broken front leg, limped into the Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter. With the help of many doctors and a great foster family, we were able to facilitate a complex surgery that included growing new bone while in an external fixator device. From start to finish this was a 4 month commitment of time and resources, and once again the public responded to our request for financial help.

Our non-profit was first formed in the name of Friends of Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter. On March 19, 2009, we became an official 501c3. Later our name was officially changed to Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids on April 21, 2011.

Our role has greatly expanded over the years to include partnerships with local rescues and shelters in Eastern Iowa. We are committed to assisting homeless, abused and neglected animals with advanced medical care that saves lives, mends broken bodies and restores health, happiness and adoptability. A true second chance at life.

The commitment to form Critter Crusaders came from Ellie. The vision we had for her then, is the mission we continue today. One dog and one horrible time in Iowa’s history inspired us to succeed on behalf of all local homeless animals. We exist to provide the care they desperately need and deserve.

This is our passion!