Marley the Dog on the Road to Recovery Thanks to Community and Partner Support German Shepherd puppy shot in the face receives second chance
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Jan. 17, 2024) – The San José Animal Care Center (ACS) would like to extend its gratitude to the community for donating approximately $27,000 for Marley the German Shepherd puppy’s surgery. The monetary donations received throughout the weekend will help pay for the reconstructive surgery of Marley’s shattered jaw at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine which specializes in these types of surgeries.
“On behalf of the San José Animal Care Center and all the pets in our care, I would like to say thank you to our community. The shelter’s goal is to provide a welcoming and humane place for animals who have no one to care for them. We succeed because of our community and those who heed the call to action in instances like this. Because of your generous donations, Marley is off to receive the surgery she needs and have the ability to be a healthy normal puppy again,” said ACS Director Jay Terrado.
On Thursday, Jan. 11, San José Animal Service Officers received a call from the San José Police Department about a dog with gunshot wounds. When the officers arrived, they found the dog had been shot in the muzzle. The bullet passed through the sinus cavity and exited the lower mandible where it shattered the jawbone and one of the front foot digits. Dr. Elizabeth Kather, the ACS Medical Director, and the veterinary clinic team jumped into action to stabilize the puppy. Thanks to the medical care and quick attention by the entire team at ACS, Marley is walking and eating soft foods on her own as of Monday, Jan. 16. She was transferred to UC Davis on Tuesday morning to receive jaw surgery.
“Once again, it is incredible how our community has shown up to provide support for the animals in our community who need it the most. Marley is just one example of the many animals that arrive at our shelter in need of urgent care,” said City Manager Jennifer Maguire. “I am grateful to our shelter veterinarians and the medical team who provide care to these animals who have no one else. Thank you to every single person who has donated and shown support for Marley.”
“When Marley needed help, the community answered the call, donating thousands of dollars and exceeding our goal to ensure this pup can enjoy a long and healthy life,” said San José Mayor Matt Mahan. “The support and generosity from the San José community never ceases to amaze and will go towards getting Marley world class care.”
This year, ACS along with animal shelters nationwide experienced record-high numbers of pets entering the shelter and staying longer. Residents can continue to help by providing a loving home to a shelter pet. If you are unable to adopt, fostering for as few as three weeks or as long as three months will greatly help the shelter. For more information on adopting, fostering, other ways to support, and available pets, visit www.adoptapetsj.org.
Donations for Marley are now closed. We welcome donations for all the other 503 pets in our care.
About the City of San José With almost one million residents, San José is one of the most diverse large cities in the United States and is Northern California’s largest city and the 12th largest city in the nation. San José’s transformation into a global innovation center has resulted in one of the largest concentrations of technology companies and expertise in the world.
About San José Animal Care and Services San José Animal Care and Services serves the 1.5 million residents and pets of San José, Cupertino, Los Gatos, Milpitas, and Saratoga. The Care Center is an open-admission shelter welcoming over 15,000 pets each year in need of care until they are reunited with their family or find a family to call their own. Animal Care and Services provides for the physical and medical needs of the pets in their care, rescues animals in distress, investigates animal abuse, enforces animal control laws, license pets, and supports community cats with no-cost Trap, Neuter, Return services. Learn more at www.AdoptAPetSJ.org.
