Nonprofit provides low-cost vet care

AUGUSTA, Maine — Mainers love their pets, but vet bills can quickly reach eye-opening numbers.

A new nonprofit, Maine Animal Health Alliance, is helping some pet owners take a bite out of their vet costs, especially regarding emergency care.

Tundra is part of the family of Kate Spencer and her two daughters, nearly six-year-old Kensley and five-year-old Kallie. For four years, the yellow lab has served as a mobility service dog for Kensley. The youngster has cerebral palsy and epilepsy. 

“When she gets into a coughing fit or starts choking, he is right there,” Kate said.

A few weeks ago, Tundra started vomiting and couldn't hold down water.

“I thought it was just a stomach bug,” Kate said.

But when his symptoms didn't improve, she took him to a veterinary clinic in Portland. Tundra was diagnosed with a blockage in his intestines. She was quoted $6,000 to $11,000, just for testing and X-rays. She then took Tundra to a vet clinic in Lewiston. The cost for exploratory surgery was $4,000. Meanwhile, Tundra's pain was getting worse and he couldn't hold anything down.  

“It was terrifying. I was thinking, how am I going to pay for this? How am I going to do this? He is Kinsely's service dog and I don't have a backup plan,” Kate recalled.

Family members started fundraising, as Kate reached out to nonprofits out of state who offer financial assistance for emergency pet care. The vet clinic in Lewiston told Kate about the Maine Animal Health Alliance.

The nonprofit opened over a year ago. Its staff of 10 provides affordable spaying, neutering care, and wellness services. The clinic also takes referrals for emergency surgery from other vet practices and clinics and admitted Tundra for emergency surgery.

Tundra had just hours to live when he went into surgery.

“He was very dehydrated, his intestines had become inflamed,” Dr. Elisabeth Sperry, a veterinarian and founder of MAHA, explained.

Thanks to grants and donations, the clinic can perform urgent surgeries when pet owners have no other options.

The source of the blockage: a pacifier Tundra had swallowed whole unbeknownst to Kate. 

“He was lucky we didn't have to remove any of his intestines. we were able to remove the pacifier ha ha,” Dr. Sperry explained with a laugh.

“Part of our mission is to keep people and pets together. We are here for people with financial needs, so we will make exceptions on a case-by-case basis,” Dr. Sperry said.

Kate says the cost for the Tundra's care and surgery was a fraction of what she was quoted at other vet clinics.

Tundra is recovering well and returned to the clinic earlier this week to get his staples removed. Tundra will soon return to being a full-time working dog, helping Kensley maintain her balance as she learns to walk for the first time. Gratitude can't begin to describe what Kate and her family are feeling.

“I want other people to know that they are there to help,” Kate said, holding back tears.

She hopes Tundra's story will inspire others to volunteer and donate to the nonprofit Kate believes is making miracles happen for our furry friends.

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