Silly

When we adopted, her name was Scylla, but after having her in our home, we realized that she's a Silly little girl, so now her name is Silly. She sings opera with me - it's so dang cute! She is VERY smart & treat motivated. If I tell her to wait 10 minutes for something - she comes back in 10 minutes! I swear she can tell time!! 🤣 I used to take her into Walmart in Salinas with me all the time & everyone always said how cute she is! Having Silly has been a real joy and we wish she would stop getting older & stay forever! I originally got her because my daughter's been sick since 2004. I got Silly to help cheer her up - and, over these past 14 years, she sure did LOTS & LOTS cheering for all of us! WE LOVE OUR SILLY GIRL. 💖
~ Silly's family

When you look at this cute grey muzzle, what do you see? A little pup, brimming with talent? You should, because that's what she is! This little girl is named Silly, but her gifts are no laughing matter. Silly is a music lover, and one of her greatest hobbies is singing opera with her mom. Recently, she was struggling with some smelly discharge of unknown origin, and her mom needed some support to have the issue investigated and treated. We are grateful that we were able to step in and provide assistance to this opera diva. Keep singing, Silly!

Milo

Milo means everything to me. I got him when I was in college, living alone in a in my first studio apartment. He has been with me since then and has been my constant throughout the last eight years. When I got him, they warned me you're not really adopting a rabbit, "we think he's a cat trapped in a rabbits body, maybe even a dog". And, they were right. He's a little shy at first, but once he knows he's safe with you, he is so smart and has this huge, mischievous personality with lots of opinions. He loves the Christmas tree and it usually stay up until February or even March, because every time I try to take it down he runs over and lays out underneath it.
~ Milo's Family

We know that cats and dogs get the most attention here, but pets of all kinds form deep and loving bonds with their people ... and we are committed to assisting as many companion animals as possible, no matter their species! Recently, we were able to support Milo, a ridiculously cute Lionhead rabbit, when he was not feeling well. Milo himself may not be sure whether he's dog, cat, or bunny, but all that really matters is that he is loved! Thanks for helping us help him!

Bonnie

Bonnie is our emotional support animal and our best friend. The highlights of our days is playing and cuddling with her. She’s very social and loves being with her humans and we love her too.
~ Bonnie's Family

Like so many pets, Bonnie brings joy and love to her family. So when Bonnie was having trouble breathing, her family was alarmed. Thanks to our supporters and BirchBark's PetAid Initial Care Program, Bonnie was able to be examined at our Partner Vet, VCA Animal Hospital of Santa Cruz. We are so grateful to everyone who helps ensure that beloved pets like Bonnie receive diagnostic care, and that families are able to achieve peace of mind.

Poppy

Poppy is my child. She deserves the proper care as any soul would.”

- Poppy's guardian

Beautiful Poppy is not just a member of the family. She is a dear and loyal service dog. Poppy has been fighting a case of pneumonia, but her guardians needed assistance to provide Poppy the additional care they knew she needed. Our Veterinary Partner, Carmel Valley Veterinary Hospital, recommended that Poppy's mom reach out to us for support. Thankfully, our family of supporters was able to offer a safety net of love for Poppy's family. She received supportive care, radiographs, and antibiotic treatment that she needed.

Cosmo

Today we share with you a story inspired by the fact that it is, evidently, National Pasta Day (not making that up!). This is Cosmo. We think she must have been attempting a feline re-envisioning of the famous scene from Lady and the Tramp when she mistook a piece of string for a strand of pasta. Unfortunately, string is neither as delicious nor as safe to consume as pasta is, and she found herself feeling very ill. Cosmo is just a kitten and didn't know any better, but her mistake created a life-threatening situation for her and a terrifying one for her guardians. A collaboration between BirchBark's Partner Vet, BirchBark's supporters, and Cosmos's family allowed Cosmo to have the surgery she needed, and we are glad to report she is on the mend!

Jock

“Oh my god, he’s our world. We love him so much!”

- Jock's guardian

Jock means the world to his family, so when he injured his leg last week, they were desperate to help him feel better. "Thank you!" BirchBark's supporters, who were there to provide Jock's family just the bit of help they needed to ensure that Jock was able to be treated.

Mama

Thank you all so very much for your contributions and collaboration in ensuring Mama receives every possible exam/procedure to ensure she's not going to be suffering from any undetected injury when she goes home because I couldn't afford the procedure that was needed. I'm truly grateful beyond what words can convey.

- Mama's guardian

BirchBark is collaborative at its core. When a pet's family is struggling to afford life-saving care, treatment becomes attainable not just through one entity's generosity, but through a collaboration between our supporters, our veterinary partners, and the pet's parents - each of whom contributes to see the life of a pet saved. We are also grateful to work with other wonderful local nonprofits, like Peace of Mind Dog Rescue, which recently joined in our efforts to support Mama, a deeply loved pup who was hit by a car.

We are sharing Mama's mama's thanks, because it is an expression of gratitude to all who collaborate in this mission!

Punchy

“She’s my world. She’s my best friend. She’s part of my family!”

- Punchy's guardian

A couple weeks ago, sweet Punchy found herself with a laceration on her leg. Her mom, who has loved Punchy since her kittenhood, was committed to providing Punchy with the veterinary care she needed, but she needed just a bit of help to make that happen. Our supporters and veterinary partner at East Lake Animal Clinic came together to ensure that Punchy could have her injury treated. Thank you, all!

Mink

Today we want to share with you a story that exemplifies the power of the human-animal bond. Mink is a kitten with an important job serving the community. When he was just a baby who needed constant care and attention, he accompanied his mom to work at the Santa Cruz Art League. It wasn't long, however, before it became clear that being at work wasn't just good for Mink; it was good for everyone. He greets guests and plays with the kids. People come to the gallery just to say "Hi!" His ability to brighten each person's day and to help draw people to the arts has earned him the title of "Guest Service Associate."

Recently, Mink was attacked by a dog, and the community he serves turned around to offer him aid. BirchBark, along with a host of Mink's friends and fans, came together to ensure he would receive the veterinary care he needed. The love and support between pets and people goes both ways. It is the heart of the human-animal bond.

Bossua

If ever there were proof that a dog's size bears no relation to his importance, Bossua might be it. This diminutive Chihuahua mix has been his guardian's most steadfast and devoted companion. Through health and housing struggles, Bossua has remained a source of love and an inspiration to keep going. We are so grateful that when he recently needed treatment for severe dental disease, BirchBark's supporters allowed us to offer assistance. Bossua may be little, but he is the whole world to the person he loves. And we love him for that.

Mozzy

What does your pet mean to you? If you answered "Everything. Literally everything!" then you have a lot in common with Mozzy's mom!

Today is Parent Appreciation Day, and we are appreciating all the pet parents who love their furry, feathered, and scaly children. That includes parents like Mozzy's mom, who was looking out for her best boy when she sought assistance in treating his urinary blockage. And it includes pet parents like each of our supporters, who rally together to ensure that pets like Mozzy can continue to enjoy the loving relationship they have with their families. We love you, pet parents!

Iroh

Not long ago, this handsome, two-year-old kitty was brought to the vet by a good Samaritan. He had been hit by a car and was in extreme pain and unable to walk. Fortunately, thanks to a post on Nextdoor, his owners were able to be identified, and BirchBark was able to assist with providing him the surgical care he needed for his broken bones. This was not the first time this cat had been injured outside. Just last year, his family had brought him to the vet because he had bite wounds from a wild animal he had encountered outside. We are grateful that when we provided help with his broken bones, his family agreed to keep him indoors.

We understand that many people feel they are enhancing their pet cat's quality of life by allowing him or her outside. However, relative to an indoor cat's life, the life of an outdoor cat is nasty, brutish, and short. Outdoor cats are exposed to a host of dangers, including toxins, cars, predatory wildlife, pet dogs, rival cats, parasites, and disease. It is sadly unsurprising that outdoor cats live an average of only 2-5 years, compared to 10-20 years for an indoor cat. Additionally, outdoor cats are one of the primary threats to birds, including threatened and native species. The Audubon Society estimates they kill up to 3.7 billion birds every year.

You can give your pet cat a wonderful life inside the house! Google "How to catify your house" to find tips on how to enrich your indoor cat's quality of life without compromising his safety or the safety of wildlife.

*Note: This post is about pet cats - not outdoor, feral colonies.

Thanos

"Family." That is how Thanos's guardian describes him. That word encapsulates it all - the love, the companionship, the depth of the relationship shared. When Thanos was bit by another dog and his wound needed treatment, Thanos's person needed just a little help to ensure that Thanos got the care he needed. Our partner vets at Westside Animal Hospital worked with us, and Thanos was able to have his wound treated. Thank you to everyone who plays a role in keeping pet families together!

Dumbo

One look at this cute little dude's ears, and it's not hard to guess why his family named him "Dumbo!" Sweet Dumbo is just a youngster, but already, he has suffered twice from rectal prolapse. His guardian is a college student, who was struggling to pay for repeat surgery after the first rectal prolapse surgery failed. Thankfully, with your assistance and the support of our partner vets at VCA All Pets Animal Hospital Salinas, he was able to be treated again. Not only that, we were able to assist in getting Dumbo neutered at the same time! French Bulldogs, as cute as they are, are predisposed to rectal prolapse, and we are glad to help reduce the risk of any accidental breeding with a dog who has this issue.

Garfinkie

Sweet Garfinkie loves his mama, and she loves him. However, Garfinkie recently was suffering from a urinary obstruction, which, for a full-time student like Garfinkie's mom, represented a major financial burden. BirchBark's supporters and our partners at Pacific & Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists made it possible for Garfinkie to have the emergency surgery he needed, while also allowing his mom to keep studying and keep loving her furry little boy!

Pepper

One of the beautiful things we are able to witness time and again at BirchBark is how our community rallies together to restore one's faith in humanity. This adorable snuggler, Pepper, was shot in the tail with a BB gun and, due to the severity of his injuries, needed his tail amputated. At a time when it would have been easy for Pepper's family to have felt an overwhelming sense of the cruelty that exists in the world, instead, BirchBark supporters surrounded Pepper and his family with love and helped Pepper receive the surgery he needed. Thank you.

Julian

Julian is king of his cat tree, and of his family's hearts. His mom describes him this way:

“He's my everything! He's literally one of my kids. He comforts me and sleeps with me. He's my little boy. My children are grown, my grandson is 8 and Julian is my baby. We all love him so deeply. My grandson was 3 when I got him. They've grown up together. None of us can imagine life without him."

Not long ago, Julian's life was threatened by a dangerous urinary blockage. His mom, a two-time cancer survivor, needed support to be able to treat the obstruction. Our donors and veterinary partner, Pacific & Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists pitched in, allowing Julian's mom to proceed with the treatment Julian needed. We're so grateful and relieved for this family!

Khloe

A dog as beautiful and loved as Khloe should be smiling, and now she is! Khloe is a senior pup, and had developed some dental disease that was uncomfortable for her. With the support of our donors and partners, Khloe was able to have the teeth cleaning and extractions she needed to restore her healthy, happy smile!

Chicken

If you ever thought that chickens were not warm and cuddly, you never met Chicken the Cat! Sweet Chicken is a master cuddler, with his human family and furry foster siblings. Recently he was suffering from a painful and dangerous urinary blockage, and his family needed some support to cover the cost of Chicken's vet bills. Our donors and partner vet Pacific & Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists pitched in to make the veterinary bill affordable for Chicken's family. Thank you!

Theo

Meet Theo, the adorable puppy who recently suffered a tibial fracture above the knee of his left hind leg. This playful pup's misadventure began when he jumped on a crate, only for his paw to get caught in one of the holes as he was coming down.

Theo is a cherished member of his family, who describe him as a "special and cherished part of our family." They lovingly share how Theo has become an integral part of their family dynamic, bringing immense joy and peace into their lives. Filled with worry, they turned to BirchBark for assistance. With your help, Theo was able to receive the treatment he needed so that he can return to his playful, joy-filled self!