Vicenta is a shy, gentle affectionate girl who was brought to the West Los Angeles Animal Shelter as a stray in early October after she was found in a parking lot.

Early last week, her belly popped & everyone realized she was pregnant. When the shelter's medical staff also diagnosed her with a heart murmur, they put her on Urgent Medical Alert (on Nov. 11, 2024).

If things weren’t dire enough, volunteers also noticed Vicenta had stopped eating, become lethargic, began losing weight rapidly and was throwing up everything she ate. On Friday, Nov. 15, these volunteers sounded the alarm bells and got permission in record time to rush Vicenta to a private vet for a second opinion.

Tragically, Vicenta’s bloodwork revealed an alarmingly high white blood cell count, and an ultrasound uncovered a life-threatening intestinal blockage. She immediately underwent emergency surgery, and a piece of rope toy was found & removed.

She was also spayed during this procedure because her puppies were not viable. (We’re deeply grateful to the amazing team at @shermanoaksvet & Dr. Lockhart for their exceptional care & saving her life!)

Vicenta has faced so much loss, yet she remains a gentle, loving soul who adores people and is now on the road to recovery.

We are thrilled that Vicenta is going to be okay, but her emergency care has left a handful of volunteers with overwhelming vet bills totaling $5,333.

These are volunteers who’ve already donated THOUSANDS of dollars over the years to help so many other dogs. And while they truly want to keep giving, they really need some help.

We’d be so grateful for donations & we promise amount is too small! If you can’t donate, please keep sharing Vicenta’s story.

PLEASE NOTE: We’re also looking for a committed foster or adopter who can offer Vicenta a loving home, where she’ll continue to blossom. We’d hate to see her go back to the shelter after all she’s been through. Please message us if you’re interested!

HELP COVER VICENTA’S LIFE-SAVING SURGERY!

By West LA Animal Shelter Volunteers

HELP COVER VICENTA’S LIFE-SAVING SURGERY!