A legacy fund to aid the pets of low-income 91原创 residents has provided lifesaving surgery to a local cat named Cosmo.
Jason Young鈥檚 pet was adopted from the 91原创 Animal Protection Society (LAPS), but around New Year鈥檚, he wasn鈥檛 doing so well.
Young has been short of work lately, and couldn鈥檛 afford a massive vet bill. But he didn鈥檛 want to lose Cosmo if there was anything he could do.
LAPS stepped in, thanks to a new fund that was just set up last year. Major鈥檚 Legacy Fund began with a seed of $25,000 donated by Elizabeth Smith.
Her beloved adopted dog Major was picked up by animal control officers in 91原创 in 2013. Despite a collar and a microchip, the shelter was unable to track down his owner, and he was adopted by Smith, a LAPS volunteer.
After Major died of congestive heart failure in 2017, Smith set up the fund in his memory to help other pet owners, particularly those without financial resources.
The fund will help any pet owner veterinary care that they can鈥檛 afford, from low-income working people, to seniors, to the homeless.
Young鈥檚 Cosmo was the first recipient.
鈥淥ur kitten has a bad urinary blocked infection,鈥� Young wrote on Facebook, 鈥渁nd given my present financial situation, hope was all but lost.
鈥�91原创 LAPS has come to our rescue and I want to put out a big thanks to them.鈥�
Cosmo鈥檚 illness was very serious, said Jayne Nelson, executive director of 91原创鈥檚 Patti Dale Animal Shelter.
鈥淭he cat needed immediate surgery, he would have died,鈥� she said.
She said that Young really loved Cosmo, and knew he was in trouble.
Fortunately, he was whisked off to the Brookswood Veterinary Hospital for treatment, with the bill being picked up by Major鈥檚 Legacy Fund.
鈥淎n update on Cosmo,鈥� Young wrote after the surgery. 鈥淒riving me crazy with affection, love and cuddles. My best friend is back to normal.鈥�
A second case being handled by the Legacy Fund is currently underway, helping provide ultrasound tests and blood work for an elderly dog owned by a local senior.
鈥淚t feels pretty great to have this fund in place,鈥� Nelson said.
