UPDATE: Habanero – the sweet puppy with a spicy name has an update for you!

First off thank you all for your support, Habanero has been well cared for and showing signs of improvement while in his foster home.
Your donations – $1,300 total – have allowed us to perform special diagnostic testing that we otherwise would not have been able to do! Unfortunately, this testing did reveal that our happy-go-lucky pup is suffering from a form of intestinal disease. He has been following a very special diet and will be starting a new treatment to see if it resolves his health issues. He will then undergo further diagnostic testing to determine if the treatment is working.

In the meantime, is getting to enjoy the puppy life he deserves! Habanero’s foster mom says he has been enjoying his time with the other dogs as well as spending time with the family at the cottage!

Thank you again for all your support and we will hopefully have another update on Habanero’s journey soon!

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Don’t let his spicy name fool you, because Habanero is as sweet as they come. This adorable fellow is the perfect combination of puppy energy and cuteness equaling a bundle of LOVE ME! You would never know this little guy’s start in life was not an easy one.

Habanero and his family (mom and 8 siblings) came to us from a place that no animal should experience.  Habanero’s mom was sick with 8 young puppies and all of them needed our care to get healthy, stronger and thriving. Sadly, Habanero lost two of his siblings due to poor health.

Shortly after Habanero came to us, we realized the tiny pup wasn’t gaining weight like his siblings. Then the vomiting started. Our veterinary team has conducted various diagnostics (blood work, x-rays), consulted with specialists and has tried several medications and food therapies, but there has been no marked improvement. Despite this, Habanero maintains his spunky attitude and joie de vivre, but it is clear to all that he not feeling great.

Our veterinarian has advised that Habanero is likely suffering from some type of gastrointestinal health issue; however, without more specialized testing we are unable to confirm and successfully treat Habanero. This specialized testing can only be done down south and at an estimated cost of $4,000. As a charity caring for hundreds of animals every day, with limited resources and funds, this is a cost we simply cannot bare without your support!

We know this is a big ask, at an already ‘money stretched’ time of year!  We know times are tough all around. We also know that despite all that, we all have a little bit more to give and that the essence of helping those who are less fortunate than us, is still alive and strong!  And we absolutely know that little Habanero deserves a chance to be healthy, to feel good, to grow and live a life surrounded by love and family!

Habanero’s will to live, to be this happy, spunky and loving puppy despite all he’s been through makes our plea to help save this puppy a sincere one – and we wouldn’t be who we are if we didn’t try.

If you’re interested in donating toward Habanero’s cause you can:

  • call and pay by credit card over the phone;
  • send a cheque or come visit the shelter at 620 Mahoney Road, Timmins, ON, P4R 0H6;
  • or e-transfer to fundraising@timminshumanesociety.ca.
  • Visit https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/fundraising/4c48ce17-c7e8-495e-96dd-895d22ea4f72

Please make a note that the donation is for Habanero so we can ensure it goes where it is needed most.

In addition to raising funds for Habanero’s care, we are also hoping to find him a special foster home. His mom and all his brothers and sisters are healthy and have found their forever homes.  Leaving Habanero behind in a shelter environment just isn’t fair to him.  So, our second ask is for a temporary place that would be comfortable with giving him medication and bringing him to the shelter when required by our veterinarian, while we hopefully get him the needed specialized testing to diagnosis his condition. During this time of giving, we hope there is someone out there willing to give of their time, home and care for little Habanero!

Those interested in becoming a temporary foster home can contact the shelter at 705-264-1816 for more information.

A huge thank you to everyone for their support as we all try desperately to save this precious soul!