While we often hear distressing tales of unkind pet owners abandoning their animals to shelters for trivial reasons, the full story can be more complex.
For instance, the individual who left his ill dog at a shelter in New York might seem heartless, but the reality is more nuanced. Caring for a sick pet can quickly become financially burdensome, and not everyone has the means to afford extensive treatment.
Thus, the choice to give up a beloved animal to a shelter can be tremendously challenging, yet it may also be the best course of action. The aforementioned man made such a decision and potentially helped save his dog’s life.
Horrendous Condition
When a dog named Keyla arrived at the Manhattan Animal Care Center in New York, her severe skin condition made it hard to bear looking at her.
As reported by Newsweek, Lois Huang from the Animal Care Centers of NYC (NYCACC) mentioned they were uncertain about the cause of her skin ailments. However, they understood why she was brought to their shelter.
“Keyla was surrendered to Manhattan ACC last year when her owner could no longer manage her severe skin issues,” the shelter noted in their Facebook post.
Huang described how her former owner tried antibiotics in hopes of improving Keyla’s health, but alas, it was to no avail.
Consequently, “he expressed his desire for her to live a better life with someone who could provide the essential care.”
Though this was a profoundly tough moment for the man, his choice would later reveal itself to have been the correct one.
“Resilient Spirit”
According to the earlier Facebook announcement, Keyla’s condition was so dire that the shelter lacked the resources to provide her the necessary care. Thankfully, a compassionate individual recognized this suffering dog and stepped in to help.
“Fortunately, our long-term volunteer Susan Kuhlman saw Keyla at Manhattan ACC and took her to her husband Jay Kuhlman’s veterinary facility, Gramercy Park Animal Hospital,” Huang stated.
The veterinary team at this facility, well-versed in treating shelter animals with skin conditions, felt confidence in Keyla’s prognosis. As anticipated, her condition began to improve with each passing day.
“Since September of 2023, Keyla has been under their care and her health has seen tremendous improvement, along with a healthy weight gain,” the shelter indicated in their Facebook post. “She has been spayed and receives consistent treatments that include antibiotics, anti-yeast medicine, and Cytopoint, an antibody prescribed for atopic dermatitis in dogs.”
Fast forward several months after her initial treatment at the hospital, and Keyla has transformed into a vibrant new dog, impressing the veterinary staff with her remarkable recovery.
“Despite the discomfort from her skin issues, Keyla’s indomitable spirit shines throughout her journey to recovery,” they shared.
Keyla truly embodies an incredible spirit.
A New Beginning’s Hope
While Keyla was hospitalized, the shelter staff succeeded in finding a foster home for her. The individual who opened their home to her had nothing but kind words to share.
“Keyla is an incredibly sweet and gentle little girl whose tail wags nonstop. When she sees you, it wags even more wildly. She’s playful with other dogs and seems to enjoy the company of cats. Keyla loves everyone, including kids. Since she’s motivated by treats, she’s quite easy to train. And by the way, she’s the perfect size—not too big and not too small. She’d be a wonderful addition to any family,” a foster caregiver noted on the NYCACC website.
Considering these remarks, along with the commendations from both the shelter and the veterinary staff, it’s clear that Keyla is a dog who can bring joy and blessings to any home.
This is why we wholeheartedly believe that this brave and resilient pup is destined for a happy ending, as she truly deserves no less.
@nycacc We were astounded by Keyla’s transformation when we visited her at Gramercy Park Animal Hospital! Big thank you to Susan Kuhlman, ACC board member Dr. Jay Kuhlman, and the caring staff at Gramercy Park Animal Hospital for helping so many ACC pets like Keyla. If you’re interested in adopting Keyla, visit nycacc.app to search for her name or ID: 176921 #nycacc #boroughbred #accfoster #shelterdogs #adoptabledog #nycdogs #rescuedogs ♬ Lavender Cappuccino – Muspace Lofi
