Pit Bull Rescue Group Holds Fundraiser To Cover Dog's Surgery

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Bully Paws Pit Bull Patriots Inc., a pit bull rescue group in Fredericksburg, is holding a fundraising campaign for a dog named Puck who needs orthopedic surgery that will cost $6,000. The campaign, which runs through Feb. 17, features t-shirts and sweatshirts with Puck's portrait that people can purchase.

The shirts can be ordered in eight different styles, two of which are sweats, and several different colors. After the fundraiser ends, shirts will begin to get shipped to people who participated in the medical fundraising campaign on Feb. 25. Sixty-five percent of the proceeds from the sale of the shirts will go directly to Puck's surgery and Bully Paws' rescue operations. People can also make direct donations to help cover the cost of Puck's surgery.

Puck will be undergoing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) surgery on both of his knees. The surgery is performed on dogs who have torn their cranial cruciate ligament, commonly referred to as a dog's torn ACL.

Puck's surgery is scheduled for next Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 7 a.m. Due to Puck's youth — he's not even two-years-old yet — and his high activity level, the vets advised that doing the surgery on both knees at the same time would be safe. The surgeon feels confident the surgery will return Puck back to normal. Puck's foster parent, who has purchased a special full-body harness to help with his recovery, plans to do hydro therapy with him after the surgery.

After full recovery, the foster parent said Puck will be ready for a home of his own. His ideal forever home, according to his foster parent, will be as an only pet in an active home with older or dog-savvy children.

Founded in 2005, Bully Paws works with shelters in Virginia, D.C. and Maryland to place pit bulls and pit bull-type dogs in homes. The nonprofit has no paid staff, with all donations going directly to help dogs.

Puck was rescued last year from the Westmorland County Animal Shelter at the age of six months and has been in foster care for just over a year. He has excelled at obedience training, including passing his canine good citizen certification. Currently 80 pounds, he enjoys going out for adventures, walking right at a heel and sitting when his companion stops.

While working with him on off-leash training, which included miles of hiking each day, Puck's foster parent noticed him limping. A vet took x-rays and, based on the results, recommended bilateral TPLO. The need for TPLO is somewhat common in pit bulls, although performing surgery on both knees at one time is rare.

Bully Paws covers the cost for about one TPLO surgery a year. People interested in donating money to help cover the costs of Puck's surgery can visit the rescue group's fundraising page.