BEND, OR -- "Giving Tuesday" marks the beginning of the year-end philanthropic giving season, and one local nonprofit hopes the generosity of Central Oregonians will lead to the purchase of an important piece of equipment.
Lynne Ouchida, with the Humane Society of Central Oregon, says a digital X-ray machine would allow for the immediate treatment of animals with common injuries, like those hit by cars. "When we don’t have equipment, like an X-ray machine, on hand we’re letting that animal suffer in pain; we don’t really know what’s going on, so it’s a huge diagnostic tool that we desperately need. We have some money already. We are in need of – it sounds like a lot - $25,000; but we’re hoping the community can come forward. Whether it’s a $5, $100, $50 or $20 donation, it will all go towards our goal of getting this digital x-ray machine within our shelter."
She tells KBND News, "We have animals literally coming in weekly that could use an X-ray machine. If you can imagine “Fluffy” (pictured) who had a severe fracture in the leg and when you see the X-ray, it’s painful. But, it took a few days to get that appointment at a veterinary clinic to get that x-ray done. If an animal comes in injured, immediately, regardless of whether it’s a stray or owner release, we want to make sure that medical care is treated." Ouchida says transporting injured animals to vet clinics for X-rays also leads to unnecessary pain.
The total cost of the machine is estimated at more than $50,000. Click HERE to learn more about what the Bend animal shelter needs, and to make a tax deductible donation. Last year, Americans donated nearly $117 million to nonprofit organizations on Giving Tuesday.
