Check Out The Stray Baes' GoFundMe at: www.gofundme.com/thestraybaes
**Help rescued puppies get from Uganda to USA!***
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RPCVs or PCVs who have had a pet who changed their service, animal lovers who value the companionship of furry friends, and everyone who loves a good "underdog" story (literally): help get these three recovering puppies from Uganda to NY! The $3000 is going toward their last
vaccines, two travel crates, and the airline charged for three babes. ANY SUPPORT WILL HELP!!!!
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Our story:
On the evening of June 26th, 2017, a Peace Corps Volunteer in a small village of Northern Uganda, Kelsey Sabo, went for a run like always. She soon came across a lil furry friend (with children throwing rocks at it) who would come to change her service, and life, forever. Quickly realizing it was a pint-sized puppy, extremely scared and disoriented, Kelsey worked to get the puppy closer to her where she eventually was able to carry her all the way home. After hours of frantically making phone calls (and shoo-ing her annoying cat away), Kelsey was able to get most of the maggots, flies, and dirt out of the incredibly deep wounds on the puppy's neck. A friend of a friend (of a friend...of a friend) was able to come by and administer the "proper" treatment. Or so we thought. Incredibly long story short, this one encounter of puppy and Kelsey turned into this Peace Corps Volunteer finding the original home of the puppy (and came to find 6 more). The original owners realized the mother dog wasn't providing milk for her litter so the puppies were becoming too expensive to feed. "We need them to die. They are costing us too much," they said.
3 puppies had already died, according to the owners, due to the conditions they were being trapped in. Kelsey and her school took in the rest of the living puppies which totaled 6 babes (1 boy, 5 girls). Maddox (our boy), Luna, Ellie, Kai, Beans, and Zazu all stayed with Kelsey in her small closet-like cement house with no water or electricity. The vet "treated" them with everything they "needed." Slowly after this, each dog entered a coma due to overdose from the vet. Turns out the vet was more driven for money and overcharged Kelsey for unecessary injections instead of than actually treating these sick puppies. Over the course of a sleepless week while syringe-feeding each pup every hour, Kai, Zazu, Luna, and Maddox passed away. It was a week of Hell. It was a week of tears and pain and too many innocent lives lost. As much as Kelsey and the community may never be able to come to terms with this fully, solace is found in knowing they are in Doggy Heaven doing what they do best: eating, playing, and sleeping away the days in the sunlight! If you have been keeping up with the math, it doesn't quite add up. Kelsey had 6, 4 passed away, which leaves 2, right? But there are three in this picture? Well. Turns out little Hazel girl decided to take measures into her own hands and run away when the going got rough (aka when mama didn't want to feed them any milk). Hazel was on the streets wandering around the village for about 6 days until a young boy found her and dropped her off to our school. Turns out that of the 3 puppies who the original owners said passed away already, Hazel was one of them. BUT BETTER YET! She's alive and better than ever. We got the worms, fleas, and everything out of her and she's becoming more nourished each and every day. These 3 girls have been through more than you know even after reading this entire description. Above all, they have been a warmth of heart for Kelsey and the best friends of her service. Her community has learned how to treat dogs and how to not throw rocks at them or be scared of them. The pupils and neighboring children have learned about compassion, how to love and treat dogs, and that (despite myths) dogs can be fun and friendly, they're not out to eat you! These girls have given Kelsey unconditional love, a sense of faith, and unexpected companionship after three years of somewhat lonely life in the village. All at a time when Kelsey and her community needed it the most. These pups rescued Kelsey and we can't separate them now, can we? All we are trying to do now is to get these beautiful babes back to the states! Kelsey has connected with numerous vets in the capital and back home and getting these puppies from Uganda to USA is a safe, common trip for animals. Although it is a bit expensive, rest assured knowing that countless Peace Corps Volunteers, embassy and development workers, and travelers have safely gotten their furry friends home safe and sound. With the guidance and help of several vets - Kelsey has ensured they are properly vaccinated, certified, and healthy as ever before making their way to America! For every RPCV, PCV, or animal lover who wants to help a volunteer get her best friends home, healthy, and safe - support this cause in whatever way you can. Donate, share on social media, send good energy - everything helps!
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As we say here, Awadifo saaru! Asante sana! Webale nyo! (Thank you, thank you, thank you!)
