Koi

He is literally the only reason I have for living. He is my beating heart.
~ Koi's family

Three and a half years ago, Koi was a stray cat wandering in the Santa Cruz Mountains. All alone, he cried outside a stranger's window at night. That stranger opened her home to Koi and became his mom. Today, she calls Koi her beating heart.

When Koi recently developed neurological symptoms, his mom was terrified. She maxed out her CareCredit and turned to friends for help. But when she needed just a little more support to get Koi the care he desperately required, you were there to bridge the gap. Your generosity not only restores health to countless pets like Koi, but hope to the hearts of their families.

Murphy

Murphy became part of our family while we were fostering him.We fell in love & I adopted him.He has filled our hearts with joyous moments, lots of fun and laughter.I want to have Murphy with us for as long as his doggie life will allow.He is also my emotional support animal.
~ Murphy's family

What started as a bad day for Murphy turned out to be proof that he truly had the luck of the Irish! This scruffy little pup suffered a scary seizure, and his family needed help getting him the medical workup he needed.

Thanks to BirchBark’s PetAid Financial Assistance program — and the generosity of our supporters — Murphy got the care he needed, and his family got peace of mind.

At BirchBark, we believe every pet deserves a lucky break. We appreciate each of you who - by spreading awareness and supporting our mission - helps us bring a little more luck to pets and families in need!

Cuddles

Cuddles is like my daughter. She is the only family I live with. She is also my emotional support companion. I love her with all my heart.
~ Cuddles's family

After a week of grey and gloomy weather, the sight of this beautiful bird is like a burst of sunshine! This is Cuddles, a 27-year-old Eclectus parrot who brings light into her mom's life every day. The human-animal bond is not limited to relationships between mammals, and we are grateful to our veterinary partners at Exotic Pet Clinic of Santa Cruz for working with us to provide assistance to families of exotic pets. Cuddles was struggling with an ear infection, but with your help, she's being treated and will soon be feeling as cheerful as she looks!

Lovey

Lovey means the world.
~ Lovey's family

If you've ever had foot pain, you know how miserable it is when every step makes it worse. That’s what Dixie was going through with a sore, inflamed paw. Her mom knew she had to help her sweet girl, but she couldn’t do it alone. Thankfully, she reached out for assistance, and you made a difference! Because of your support, Dixie was able to see a vet and get the medication she needs to get back on her paws. Thank you!

Dixie

Dixie has been my children's childhood doggie companion and best friend for 8 years. She is a cherished member of my family and has brought so much joy to my life. She is like a child to me and my only wish for Dixie now, as she ages, is her quality of life and comfort care. She still wants to chase critters and swim and run on the beach and be her goofy self. Making sure that she can do those things as pain free as possible is the goal.
~Dixie's family

If you've ever had foot pain, you know how miserable it is when every step makes it worse. That’s what Dixie was going through with a sore, inflamed paw. Her mom knew she had to help her sweet girl, but she couldn’t do it alone. Thankfully, she reached out for assistance, and you made a difference! Because of your support, Dixie was able to see a vet and get the medication she needs to get back on her paws. Thank you!

Orea

Orea is my fourth child, she means so much to me and my kids. She is my best friend, who I can always count on.
~ Orea's family

Orea, a lovable (and - we're told - a little spoiled!) French bulldog who means the world to her family. When she swallowed a human sibling's plastic toy, Orea needed emergency surgery. Her mom was heartbroken, fearing she might lose her “4th child” and best friend.

Thanks to BirchBark’s financial assistance program, our donors, and our wonderful veterinary partners at East Lake Animal Clinic, Orea received the lifesaving care she needed ... and was spayed for good measure! We're pleased that she has many beach days ahead of her!

Your support makes stories like Orea’s possible.

Chewy

He is like one of my kids. He comes to work with me and helps me through my day. Our other animals love him. He is great with our kids. He is an all around great puppy!
~ Chewy's family

When you're just a tiny Frenchie-boxer baby like Chewy, a little fall can mean big problems. Last week, Chewy accidentally fell out of his dad's arms, and his fragile puppy elbow was fractured ... a scary situation for a family looking forward to a long and happy life ahead with their new baby! Chewy needed surgery, and fortunately, our supporters were there to help! Thank you to everyone who helps ensure that pets like Chewy receive the care they need!

Petey

Thank you so much for your generosity and making it possible for Petey to have this surgery. It is a huge gift for our family. Thank you!
~ Petey's family

This extremely handsome orange boy named Petey is usually indoors, often working on jigsaw puzzles (or keeping the puzzles warm, as seen here). However, on a recent outdoor excursion, he came home with a tail injured badly enough that it needed to be amputated. His mom needed some assistance in getting Petey that care, and - thankfully - BirchBark and its supporters were there! With your help, Petey will have many more happy days completing jigsaw puzzles with his family!

Dovahkiin

He is our boy. He is my best friend. He is my baby's best friend. I have the happy tears now instead of the sad ones. Thank you!
~ Dovahkiin's family

Sometimes tears just need to flow ... but when we can make them happy tears instead of sad, it's been a good day! Thank you for helping handsome Dovahkiin access the care he needed for a urinary blockage this week, and for helping turn a scary day into a hope- and love-filled one for his mom!

Hennessy

She is one of the family. I bottle fed her.
~ Hennessy's family

From a tiny bottle-fed puppy to a cherished companion of ten years, Hennessy has always been the center of her dad's world. A few weeks ago, however, their bond was put in jeopardy when a larger dog attacked Hennessy, leaving her badly injured and in need of surgery. While Hennessy's dad has always been by Hennessy's side, he needed some assistance to keep her by his.

Thanks to our supporters, we were able to step in and help her receive the surgery she needed.

Draco

Draco is our baby! He brings us joy and warmth in hearts. Ellie loves relaxing with him or playing with him, he’s such a silly loving and caring boy.
~ Draco's family

As his ear clip attests, this gorgeous boy with the blue and green eyes was once a feral cat. However, when the opportunity arose for him to become an indoor family cat, Draco weighed his options and decided he preferred a cushier lifestyle. Draco's family describes him as their "baby." They say he brings joy and warmth to their hearts and brightens their home with his silly, loving, and caring personality. He recently was feeling a bit lethargic and was suffering from some tummy troubles. His family was able to pay for a vet exam, but needed some help covering the cost of all the diagnostics that Draco needed. Today, with your support, Draco and his family were approved for PetAid Financial Assistance. We all hope he is feeling back to his silly self soon!

Teddy

It has been so meaningful and sweet getting to become the owner of my late Grandma's dog. Teddy is spunky, funny, has a ridiculous personality, and loves to cuddle. He means so much to me. Teddy has been by my side ever since I moved back to the States. He is a devoted companion and makes my life hilarious and even more joyful. Working with young children, it is so wonderful to come over to a little fuzzy buddy who helps me calm down and feel loved. He is beloved by my friends and family and is such a sweetie pie.
~ Teddy's family

Today is National Hugging Day, so we happily share with you this glorious hug! Teddy (the super cute ball of fluff) recently had a very bad day when he was attacked by an off-leash dog while he was enjoying his (leashed) walk on the beach. His family was horrified and when they finally were able to get Teddy released from the other dog's mouth, they feared Teddy had been killed. Fortunately, he was alive, though badly injured. Your support helped Teddy receive the care he needed to start him on the path to recovery ... and a lifetime full of hugs!

Ozzy

Sometimes the sheer joy and gratitude in a thank you note from a PetAid Financial Assistance recipient are undeniable. This note came in from Ozzy's mom, after we were able to provide support for Ozzy's treatment for a urinary tract infection and bladder stone this week. Her love for Ozzy is palpable!

YOU GUYS ARE SERIOUSLY GUARDIAN ANGELS!!!!!!! I can’t say thank you enough. He means so much to me. Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow!!! Thank you!!!!!!!!!
~ Ozzy's family

Drax

Drax is like one of my children, he and his litter mate. I am alone and they ARE my only family.
~ Drax's family

Not long ago, Drax went missing shortly after his family moved to a new home. For five long weeks, his family searched, hoped, and waited. Then, miraculously, Drax found his way back. His littermate and guardian were overjoyed!

But Drax's journey left him malnourished and ill. After everything he had endured to return home, we knew we had to help. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we provided the support Drax’s mom needed to help on his path to recovery.

Here’s to a 2025 filled with health, happiness, and second chances—for Drax and all of us!

Thunder

He is everything … the only companion I have, and very much loved by the community.
~ Thunder's family

While storms raged last week, a sweet boy named Thunder needed some help. He was suffering from a life-threatening urinary blockage and needed surgery. Thunder is his dad's primary companion and is a beloved presence in his community. Thanks to you, we were able to approve Thunder for PetAid Financial Assistance, ensuring that his bond with his family remains intact.

Ziggy

She is honestly our best friend she does almost everything with us and we love her dearly.
~ Ziggy's family

Little Ziggy has been an important part of her family since she was rescued two years ago, but when she was suffering from some eye issues recently, her family needed just a bit of support to help keep Ziggy's peepers healthy and comfortable. Thank you to each of you who supports BirchBark! You made it possible for Ziggy to receive the care she needed.

Wiz

Wiz has been coming around to my apartment since March this year. His previous owners who lived down my street would leave him out all day and sometimes all night. He is very sweet I fell in love with him and have been feeding him here and there when he comes by to visit me.

Everyone on my street knows him to be a sweet friendly cat and we thought he was a stray until I met his owners right before they moved out two weeks ago.
~ Wiz's family

This beautiful boy was abandoned by his family when they moved away earlier this year, but a kindly neighbor recognized how sweet Wiz was and offered him a home. Wiz's new family observed that his eye appeared painful, and they knew he needed help. Just as Wiz's new family had done for Wiz, our donors and veterinary partner, Toro Park Animal Hospital, extended a lifeline, allowing Wiz to have the surgery he needed to live comfortably.

Onyx

Onyx is like my child.
~ Onyx's family

Last week, Onyx's family reached out to us because Onyx was extremely ill. He was suffering from one of the most common ailments we see among PetAid Financial Assistance recipients - a urinary blockage. Urinary blockages are very common in male cats, and they are not only painful, but also deadly. When he was seen by the vet, Onyx hadn't been able to urinate in two days, and he was systemically ill - unable to stand and barely able to keep his eyes open. He needed surgery, which was beyond grasp for his family, who live paycheck to paycheck. With assistance from BirchBark's supporters and our partner vet, Pacific & Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists, Onyx was able to receive treatment, and is feeling so much better! We are as grateful as his family is.

Little Boy

My pets are by family and my best friends
~ Little Boy's family

His name is "Little Boy," but we think he looks downright majestic! This little fellow is hugely important to his family, so when he was struggling with severe dental disease, as little dogs sometimes do, his family missed seeing his happy, healthy smile! Our supporters, our partner vet, and Little Boy's family all worked together to ensure that this handsome guy got the care he needed. Thank you to all who played a role!

Toast

From the moment I laid eyes on him I knew he was meant for me. He healed me in ways I didn't even know was possible. And he's always there to comfort me in hard times. He's so funny and genuine my heart literally beats for him. Every person who has ever met Toast has loved his quirky, unpredictable and beyond sweet personality. Even those who said they 'hate' cats ate their own words after meeting him. He is my best friend and has helped me overcome so many trials in my life.
~ Toast's family

When we received an application for support from Toast's family, we were struck by how beautifully they articulated the bond that shared with their sweet boy. Toast had been struggling with some GI issues, and we knew we needed to help. Our PetAid Initial Care program allowed Toast to receive important diagnostics to address his tummy troubles.