Hope, love and a whole lot of teamwork helped Puddin overcome a life-threatening injury so he could recover and remain at home with the dad who loves him so very much.
Puddin’s owner reached out to the Rainier Animal Fund ahead of our January 13, 2024 surgical and advanced care clinic. He had been trying for days to find a way to get help for his beloved cat Puddin who had a serious, open laceration across his chest. He wasn’t sure how it happened, but Puddin got out and returned home with a terrible injury. 
With limited means, Puddin’s dad was at a loss for what could be done to get Puddin the care he so desperately needed.
Luckily, the Rainier Animal Fund was able to get Puddin on the waitlist for the next clinic; a clinic that coincided with some of the worst weather Seattle had seen in months. Ice, freezing temperatures and more created many obstacles for those attempting to come to the clinic but Puddin’s dad made sure he was there.
Puddin was quite painful and resistant at first to our care. But, after some sedation, our team could get a better look at what would need to be done to help Puddin. Unfortunately, the injury was quite grave. It was determined that we would initially not be able to close the wound, so a wet/dry crossover bandage was applied so the wound could be covered and, with hope, begin to heal.
With this type of wound care, Puddin would need to remain on pain meds and be seen daily for a clean bandage change by a veterinarian. Puddin’s owner did not know how that would be possible with his limited means and limited access to care where he lived. He was once again faced with what felt like an insurmountable situation.
What Puddin’s dad didn’t know is that we had volunteers that day from all over Puget Sound including many from our nonprofit partners and friends. They too wanted to help so, together, we came up with a plan to get Puddin’s extended care covered.
Puddin was able to return to Rainier Veterinary Hospital for the follow-up care and to finally have the wound surgically repaired (now that it had a little time to heal and it was all cleaned up). Seattle Humane and an anonymous donor stepped up to make sure these costs were covered while The 
Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County offered their help covering the follow-up, post-surgery care and suture removal. Together, we were all able to ensure Puddin had all the resources he needed to recover.
Our volunteers mean the world to us. So do our nonprofit partners. Working together, we are all doing our best to address the need for access to advanced veterinary care. We couldn’t do it without them.
As for Puddin, he is back to being his feisty self, helping dad in the kitchen and living his best life. Truly what it is all about.
The Rainier Animal Fund (RAF) is quite proud of its core program; our “In-Service” advanced care and surgical veterinary clinics. This program, through the support of our sisters hospitals and dedicated volunteers, has helped many pets get the care they so desperately need.
For more information on the Rainier Animal Fund, their upcoming clinics and to make a donation, please visit rainieranimalfund.org.
