A dog found after being hit by a car and an abanded sick puppy suffering from pneumonia, have found their way to Branford-North Branford Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter. Both are in need extensive medical care. The no-kill municipal shelter is asking the public to help out with donations in any amount to help pay for surgery and medical costs.

Shelter Director Laura Selvaggio Burban said the two pups arrived at the shelter just this week. Patches, a hound mix approximately eight years old, was hit by a vehicle and left along the roadside.

"A family found him on the side of the road and took him home, thinking they could help him," said Burban, who took receipt of the dog from the family. "His leg is broken in three places and he needs surgery." 

The cost for the surgery is an estimated $4,000, with an excellent recovery prognosis following surgery. Burban said the staff at Pieper Memorial Veterinary Center in Middletown is "absolutely enamored by this dog's personality...Please help us raise the money for this sweet, charming boy!"

The shelter is also working to bring Monty, a teacup Yorkie, back to health. The four-month old, one and a half pound puppy was left at the shelter on Oct. 25 by a family that couldn't care for the sick animal, said Burban.

"He was not eating or drinking and they were trying to figure out what to do for him. We rushed him to Pieper Memorial Vet Hospital because his was in pretty bad shape. They figured out he has had pneumonia for quite some time and there may be some other underlying concerns," said Burban.

The pup, described by Burban as "sweet as they come," needs to first recover from pneumonia before additional medical assistance can be rendered. The estimated cost for medical care is between $3,000 to $5,000.

Given that the shelter was hit in a short time with two dogs in need of critical medical attention, "we need to raise quite a bit of money quite quickly," Burban said.

Donations via Paypal are being accepted on line at www.branfordanimalshelter.org  and checks made out to Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter may be mailed to 749 East Main Street, Branford, CT 06405. Donations may also be mailed directly to Pieper Memorial Vet. Hospital, 730 Randolph Road, Middletown, CT 06457; please indicate dog's name in memo and alert Cosgrove Animal Shelter to the contribution by calling 203-315-4125.