Duffy Day Lifesaving Program

The Duffy Day Lifesaving Fund was established at the SPCA in June 2010 with a generous donation from the Doris Day Animal Foundation. This special fund underwrites medical care of animals received by the SPCA.  Additional donations for the Duffy Day Lifesaving Fund will be gratefully accepted and put to use to help more animals.

Ellie

Our first patient to benefit from the fund was “Ellie,” who was found in the middle of a street in Soledad (South Monterey County) on March 26, 2010.  She had a fractured pelvis, so it was assumed that she was hit by a car.  She was nine weeks old at the time.

This sweet girl was timid at first, but lots of love and affection were just what she needed to heal her spirit. SPCA staff provided her with the continued medical care needed to keep her healthy and comfortable for more than six weeks, as her injuries healed and she evolved into a happy and active puppy.

Today, Ellie has a new life and a forever home. After being adopted by a caring couple she now goes by the name “Violet”, and is best friends with “Sweet Pea,” also adopted from the SPCA. Violet loves to run, play and go for walks now that she has full use of her body. Richard and Mary Jeanne are long-time supporters of the SPCA and we continue to see Violet and Sweet Pea at SPCA events.

Harley

Harley’s injuries were so severe when he arrived at the SPCA he couldn’t even stand. Yet this eight month old yellow lab puppy still wagged his tail and was quick to give his rescuers many licks of trust and gratitude.
 
When examined, X-Rays revealed that Harley’s right rear leg was badly broken, an injury consistent with being hit by a car. His surgery lasted over three hours as his femur was pinned.  What was not seen was a fracture at the head of the femur on the opposite rear leg that was so fine as to be invisible on the initial X-Rays. 
 
SPCA Veterinarian Carol Iida DVM and SPCA Registered Veterinary Technician Caroline Hardman knew something was very wrong when Harley avoided using what was initially thought to be his good rear leg and, instead, tried standing on his pinned leg. Additional X-Rays told the story—Harley’s left rear leg was also broken.
 
A consultation with Board Certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Roush gave us an extraordinary contact. His colleague, Dr. Lynn Locatelli, would perform the additional surgery on Harley’s left rear leg at no charge, using our state-of-the-art Veterinary Hospital.

Now, after two major surgeries, Harley has fully recovered and was recently adopted! We know his new family will provide him with a home for a long and contented life of taking walks, licking faces, and chasing balls.