Since the shooting Friday afternoon, we've been covering the recovery of Zeke the Harrisburg Police Dog who was shot in the line of duty.
The cost of Zeke's care just for the last few days is about $4,000.
Everyday there are pets injured or ill that need the same kind of emergency care, but their owners don't have the money to save their pets life. Soon there may be some help.
The amazing caregivers at the Rossmoyne Animal Emergency Center are covering all the costs of about $4,000 to save Zeke's life Inspired by Zeke, Members’ First Credit Union is setting up a Vet Emergency Fund to help owners who are facing a life and death situation and don't have the money to save their pet’s life. If your pet is hit by a car the cost can be staggering.
“Just to stabilize them over the weekend they could be looking at $1,500 easy and then to go to an orthopedic surgeon, that would be up to them how they handle that billing they could be looking at another $2,000,” explained Sabrena Meyerhoff of Rossmoyne Animal Emergency-Trauma Center.
Members First Credit Union President Robert Marquette was there to get the paperwork started for the vet emergency fund.
“These are family members these are kids and we don't want to have to put these guys down when it is something that we can save,” explained Meyerhoff.
Pet medical care costs quickly add up, for instance a blood transfusion “probably runs about $300 for a pint,” Meyerhoff told us.
Yes, there are canine blood drives and just like people there are some regular dog and cat blood donors.
“They have incentive programs for the owners that will provide for vaccination and preventive healthcare, heart-worm, this kind of things and as well the dogs have health checks,” Dr. Mark Meyerhoff, Emergency Veterinarian at Rossmoyne Animal Emergency-Trauma Center told us.
“With feline blood we have donors available, we have kits that allow us to take blood from a donor and get it ready for transfusion,” explained Dr. Meyerhoff.
We'll keep you posted if the folks hold a canine blood drive.
If you're a pet owner you may want to seriously consider medical insurance for your pet, more and more plans are being offered, including a new one by Members, First.
if you would like to help out the brand new Pet Emergency Fund you can make a donation through anyone of the 54 Members’ First locations.
We will have the latest on the reunion of Corporal Ty Meik and Zeke at 5 p.m.
