Can you help Halifax RSPCA care for this dog in need of vet treatment?

When Hannah arrived with the local rehoming centre via the RSPCA inspectors, she was very nervous and wary of staff for her first 2 weeks, but with gentle encouragement, she quickly came round and bonded very quickly with the centres Animal Care Assistants.

Hannah was taken for a vet check as soon as she arrived and upon her first examination, it was found that she had incredibly sore ears, whilst also suffering from a very painful eye condition called Entropion, which causes the eyelashes to in grow, leaving Hannah with extreme pain and discomfort.

This is quite common with Hannah’s breed and it was noticed that her ear infection had also become very severe too.

The charity quickly arranged for Hannah to have Entropion eye surgery while getting her ears flushed at the same time - at a cost of £300.

The branch was delighted that Hannah’s eye surgery went well, but on further examination, found that her ears were in a much worse condition than originally believed.

Hannah was put on steroids and numerous medicated drops, but vets determined that further surgery for her ears was now needed. Hannah’s first operation took place in January of this year (on her right ear - this was called a Lateral Wall Resection) costing the centre around £600.

Upon further check-ups of both ears, the charity learnt that there were chronic changes and she would require a total left ear canal ablation (TECA). At this point the COVID-19 Pandemic had hit the country and the vets were unable to accept Hannah in for surgery, as it was classed as non-emergency.

The charity was also under severe financial strain and uncertainty and were devastated to learn that the surgery would cost a further £2500.

Fay Gibbons, Digital Fundraiser, said: “As a local branch of the RSPCA we are responsible for raising all of our own funds in our local area to keep the doors of our centre open and to maintain our rehoming and animal welfare work.

"It’s been a really difficult time for us due to the COVID-19 pandemic and our finances as a charity are under significant strain. So it was a real shock to receive the very high estimated cost of Hannah’s vital operation, particularly at such an uncertain time.

"We’re determined do all we can for our beautiful and brave girl Hannah, to get her on the road to recovery and to find her the loving forever home she deserves so much! Any contribution large or small will help us to help Hannah - and we’d like to thank everyone who has supported us with this appeal so far and throughout the current pandemic.”

In the meantime, Animal Care staff have been maintaining Hannah’s steroids and various ear drops to keep her comfortable, but are in urgent need of the publics support to be able to arrange Hannah’s surgery.

Hannah can’t be rehomed until she has received her TECA surgery. This can be quite a painful procedure and her recovery would not be suited to a kennel environment. The local RSPCA rehoming centre have placed Hannah in a foster home where she can settle before and after the operation and are pleased to say she is currently happy and doing well. The centre is hoping to raise enough funds to proceed with Hannah’s operation as soon as possible.

If you would like to contribute towards Hannah’s appeal please visit - www.justgiving.com/campaign/hannahsappeal.

You can follow the charity on their website: www.rspcahalifaxhuddersfieldbradford.org.uk or via Facebook to keep up to date with Hannah’s journey.