Photo: MSPCA-Angell
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — At just three-months-old, Jo Jo, a young Poodle-mix, traveled to Massachusetts from Tennessee for life-changing surgery and the hopes of finding a forever home. The young pup had been living at the Human Education Society in Tennessee, when it became clear she needed more care than the organization could provide, that's when they called the MSPCA-Angell.
“Jo Jo has problems with both her front and hind right legs,” explained MSPCA-Angell Director of Adoption Centers and Programs, Mike Keiley. “The Humane Education Society—like many shelters across the country—is dealing with an overpopulation of dogs and a slowdown in adoptions, not to mention a shortage of veterinary staff. When that’s the case, the focus needs to be on basic care to keep animals healthy, like vaccines and spay/neuter, so when complicated cases like Jo Jo arrive, they can’t get the care that they need, and that’s where we come in."
Jo Jo's front right leg is deformed, with shelter staff describing it as a "lobster claw," and will go under the knife to have the leg removed, Thursday, Oct. 26. From there, the pooch is expected to need further surgeries and care on what will be a long road to recovery. Now, the MSPCA-Angell is asking for donations as Jo Jo's care is expected to run about $15,000.
“Jo Jo is a really special dog, but given the level of help she needs, she’ll need to stay in foster care until she’s ready for adoption,” said Keiley. “This is a perfect example of how important foster homes are for us. They play a critical role in helping ensure that many animals are able to get the care they need and recover in a loving environment until they’re ready to start their next chapters. Unfortunately, we’re really short on foster homes for dogs right now.”
If you'd like to donate to Jo Jo or the MSPCA-Angell, click here.