SPCA of Wake County provides essential medical care to animals in need

Murdock is one of the lucky ones. He was transferred from an animal shelter and brought to SPCA of Wake County in Raleigh, where he received the medical attention he desperately needed.

"Murdock actually came to us from a partner shelter. He was a stray, he wasn't doing well, and it was known that he needed more extensive medical care. They reached out to see if we could take care of him," said Dr. Jennifer Bledsoe-Nix, the medical director at SPCA Wake County.

Murdock had autoimmune issues that were causing problems with his skin and eyes. "Murdock's eyes were losing sight, and he was having pigmentation issues on his skin. There is some unusual coloring, which is all related to an autoimmune issue. We needed his body to stop attacking itself, and we were able to step in with some pretty high doses of steroids to calm the inflammation," said Bledsoe-Nix.

Once treatment started, Murdock came out of his shell within a couple of days. He was more interactive and started to explore his surroundings. He went into a foster home, which has made the most significant difference in his life, where he's been able to enjoy stability, love and affection.

"This medical program is absolutely key to our life-saving effort. Many times when animals reach our doors, they are in critical condition. We are their last stop," said Kim Janzen, CEO & president of the SPCA. "We can provide a high level of care due to the generosity of donors, who not only provide financial support but also donate equipment. In combination with an amazing staff, the medical program is very forward-thinking. Without the people dedicated to this cause, we would not be able to do what they do and provide these animals with forever homes."

"In most shelters, the animals would have zero chance at all, but SPCA of Wake County steps up and provides a safety net for these animals that would not have a chance at life if the SPCA of Wake County wasn't what it is," said Bledsoe-Nix.

As a managed admission facility, the SPCA of Wake County commits to providing excellent medical treatment for every pet on the road to recovery and adoption, regardless of condition or adaptability. As a no-kill rescue, the SPCA never places time limits on pets looking for their forever home, they are committed to taking care of those pets as long as they need it. With North Carolina ranking third in the nation for euthanized shelter pets, these programs are essential to saving the lives of animals who would otherwise have few opportunities for a better life.

Murdock is just one example of the many lives saved thanks to programs from the SPCA of Wake County. Through the support of local donations and their access to top-tier medical equipment, many animals living on the streets of North Carolina can get out of challenging circumstances to find a loving forever home with these programs in the community.