A puppy that was hit by a car and later euthanized is leaving a lasting impression in Green Bay. The pup's owner is now on a mission to help other pet owners.
Pepper was a playful, nine-month-old pup whose life was taken too soon. A week ago, she ran out the front door and on to a busy Green Bay street. A van hit her, breaking her back legs in several places. She would need complicated and costly surgery.
Difficult Decision
"Every single vet told us if we had the money, she would have been fixed. If we had the money, they could have done the surgery right away," Sarah Poquette, Pepper's owner, said.
But Poquette didn't have the money. The surgery would cost $3,000. Poquette walked into the vet with ten.
"I offered them to garnish my wages, I offered them everything, but they just couldn't take the chance," Poquette said.
Packerland Veterinary Center, one of two clinics that perform that surgery, offered payment options but Poquette didn't qualify. "I'm 20 years old and my credit's already shot. It's hard. It's hard for a vet to say no. I know it is. I could see it."
"It's not 'not caring,'" she said. "It's not being able to afford the thousand-dollar surgeries that the vets say you ultimately need to have."
She put out flyers and donation jars trying to raise the money, but time was ticking and she ran out of options. Pepper was euthanized Wednesday afternoon.
Dennis Anderson is a local veterinarian. He said balancing the head and the heart is difficult. "It's a difficult thing to do, because you end up doing things you really want to do but really can't do as a business person."
In Pepper's case, he says Packerland did everything it could, including lowering the cost of the surgery and giving Pepper free pain medication.
"I sympathize with everyone involved here, but I reiterate that it is a business, and as much as we do, you wish you could do more," Anderson said.
Pepper's Inspiration
It was at that moment Poquette decided she wanted to make a difference and help other pet owners facing the same difficult decision.
"I want to try and get a foundation set up in Pepper's name for other animals so no one else has to go through this because they don't have the money," she said.
Poquette is still working out the details of the foundation -- how people can donate, how the money would be distributed, and so forth.
Veterinarian Neil Rechsteiner supports her idea. He puts down about 100 animals every year, he says, mostly for old age. He says if her foundation can save one animal, it can benefit the community.
"I think that is a really good idea for the people who have the need, maybe apply and get some financial help with it," Dr. Rechsteiner said.
Help is all Poquette wants to do, even if right now her wallet is empty.
People interested in helping the fund should contact Susan Montoya at by email at susanvictor@new.rr.com.
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If you talk to the animals they will talk to you, If you do not talk to them you will not know them. And what you do not know you will fear. What one fears,one destroys. ~Chief Dan George. (1899 - 1981)
Well this is just another reason why I don't send donations to things such as this. Not saying this person is or is not doing something wrong with the money but how can you really know?
Even well known organizations can do the wrong things with donations but if I'm going to take the chance I will at least give to something that I know has a pretty good reputation rather than an unknown source.
You really have to be so careful now a days and not give before you think.
Funds like these SEEM like a good idea, but acutally seeing that the money is used for those who need it and not those who just want some free money is next to impossible. Those type of funds are best left to humane societies, vets, and other professionals who have the means to do the proper checks to see if applicants qualify for assistance.
One part of pet ownership is making sure that you are able to take care of the emergencies that crop up. Insurance is out there for around 100 a year for a young healthly animal and that would have taken care of most of the cost. You wouldn't let your kids, your home, your car go without insurance coverage,,why do the same for your pets??
And one more thing,,,,,, HOW do you mess up your credit at 20????? That part bugged me,,
At this time I can't afford to adopt a new friend, so I've made my contribution to the cause by buying on several occasions $5 and $10 in food staples for the dogs and cats. Right now knowing that a homeless animal is getting a warm meal is all the motivation I need.
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If you talk to the animals they will talk to you, If you do not talk to them you will not know them. And what you do not know you will fear. What one fears,one destroys. ~Chief Dan George. (1899 - 1981)
I donate when I can and even if it doesnt look like its on the up and up I still donate as I know that what I did was right in my heart and mind and if the money is used for another purpose oh well they will have to live with the consequences. I still feel good about my self. Jimi
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UH OH Toto I dont think we are in Kansas anymore!!!
I am very appreciative when I get a donation. For me $10.00 is like $1000.00 and greatly appreciated. That $10.00 can buy me 20# of dog food etc.......
I also appreciate when people donate items to me. We have had blankets (all sorts of bedding), towels, dog loo's, kennel runs, etc donated to the animals here.
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