While most of the work the charity does involves financial assistance for veterinary costs for rescue organisations, grants are available for individuals to apply for post-adoption, when the criteria is met.
Charlie is an example. Sometimes when Schnauzerfest helps a dog it is in circumstances where outcomes are very uncertain, or an emergency presents. Charlie was adopted 3 months ago after what appears to have been a neglectful, abusive life. Various complicating factors have made getting adequate insurance cover in place difficult.
Charlie had a medical crisis culminating in the removal of one of his eyes. There was no other solution, the condition causing the problem led to severe pain and blindness in the affected eye.
The specialist vet treating Charlie assessed his remaining eye. Problems are developing there sadly and it requires surgery which should, all going well save some of Charlie’s sight. Without the surgery he faces another painful crisis and will lose his eyesight completely.
Faced with mounting veterinary costs in the midst of Charlie’s emergency, his owners launched a crowdfunding appeal to raise the money that was initially needed to pay for the emergency treatment. To offer Charlie the very best chance at living a life with some vision, a Schnauzerfest Grant will help to pay the veterinary costs which his upcoming surgery will entail, which the Crowdfund appeal won’t fully cover.
FEBRUARY 2022 UPDATE
Back in the autumn Charlie's emergency with his eyes was widely circulated and his dads' crowdfunder raised enough to cover the treatment at that time (£1856), with around £343 extra.
As agreed with Charlie's family, when the ophthalmologist decided it was the right time to go ahead with surgery to save Charlie's remaining eye, a Schnauzerfest Grant would cover any shortfall between what the crowdfunder raised and the total bill.
Charlie's surgery is going ahead now. After discussing with Charlie's owners and his ophthalmologist what his options are, and what will give him the optimum chance of retaining vision, the charity Trustees have agreed to fund the best option. The best also means it will be the most costly combination of specialist interventions. The total cost to the charity will be in the region of £8500.
This is not a decision that has been taken lightly as it will make a dent in the charity's finances. But, giving this beautiful young soul who has endured a lot of awfulness in his life but is now secure, loved and enjoying his place in the world the best chance, is everything the charity is about.
We are always very thankful for donors who make this work possible for dogs like Charlie.
May 2022
Charlie’s operation went ahead as planned and while it was a bit of a bumpy road at times a few weeks of recovery later and everything was deemed a success. There was a period of intensive home nursing and some worries about whether his sight had been saved, but now we have a wonderful update from his dads.
Charlie’s eye is doing really well with the pressures good and he’s made a full recovery from the surgery. He will still be closely monitored, there is always the risk the pressure may spike again, but the specialists are happy for visits to now drop down to every 3 months.
“Thought we would send an update on Charlie and how well he is doing because of all the support from Schnauzerfest. Charlie is happy and healthy and loving life. We want to thank everyone for their well wishes and support and we will keep you all updated on his journey. ”