The Community Foundation granted $5,000 to PAWS of Jackson Hole during our 2019 Competitive Grant cycle. This grant helped PAWS establish a MedFund for Veterinary Financial Assistance in Teton Valley. With this fund, PAWS is able to help support pets and families in need.
Buddy flying high with his new owner. Buddy before PAWS MedFund intervention. 
Oscar after healing from surgery. Oscar before PAWS MedFund intervention.
One such case that’s seen great success is Buddy, a male cocker spaniel, that picked up wandering around Driggs this past summer and brought to the Teton Valley Community Animal Shelter. Here, he was impounded for 10-days to give someone the opportunity to claim him as their pet. Upon arriving at the shelter he was deemed under-nourished, un-kept, and had an antibiotic-resistant bacterial bladder infection. Buddy received specialized dog food (due to his infection) to put on some weight, visited a groomer, and was fostered by PAWS Program Director, Jess Farr. Eventually, Buddy was declared abandoned. Thanks to PAWS MedFund*, Buddy received the necessary veterinarian care he needed to make a full recovery. Shortly thereafter, Buddy was adopted by Beth Byrd of Driggs.
Another beneficiary of this program was Oscar, a beautiful male cat. He was returned to the Teton Valley Community Animal Shelter by his family due to some behavioral changes in his demeanor. Turns out he had an advanced case of feline stomatitis – a severe, painful inflammation of his mouth and gums. As a result, Oscar had to have all of his teeth removed. Once his surgery was complete, he healed up nicely as he re-cooperated at the Teton Valley Community Animal Shelter … and was shortly, thereafter, adopted by a local family. Thanks to PAWS MedFund*, supported by the Community Foundation of Teton Valley, Oscar received the necessary veterinarian care he needed.
*PAWS Medfund is available for adoptable Teton Valley Community Animal Shelter pets and resident dogs and cats who experience unforeseeable veterinarian emergencies.
