New Fund Aims to Help Cover K9 Medical Costs

A New Jersey animal charity has launched an effort to help service dogs facing serious medical hardships. 

 

Mark Maguzo, II, Founder and Chariman for the Angels for Animals Foundation, says service dogs risk getting the same traumatic injuries and illnesses in the line of duty  their handlers in uniform do. 

 

"You know when you think about a police department, they're going after the worst of human kind in most instances," Magazu said.  "So [K9s] are at risk for assaults, kicks, punches, gunshot wounds, explosions, etc."

 

Magazu says department budgets are often unable to afford the expensive medical treatment these dogs need.  He says the Guardian Angels K9 Fund aims to help fill those gaps in funding.

 

Magazu says the fund started in honor of a former K9 from New Jersey's West Deptford police department called Judge.  When the German Shepherd was diagnosed with Cushing's disease, his medical bills exceed $12,000, far beyond the $300 Magazu says was set aside for his health in the department. 

 

Magazu says he was inspired when about two weeks ago, K9 Judge came to the Angels for Animals' hospital to be euthanized.  He says almost 100 police officers from around the region and a dozen or two K9 units showed up to give Judge his final salute.

 

"We all had chills, it was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen," Magazu said.  "[K9 Judge] walked himself into the hospital holding his favorite toy with his handler through two lines of police officers all saluting him as he went in, head held high and proud as ever.  That was his final moment, and that was something that just resonated with me."

 

Magazu says the Guardian Angels K9 Fund was launched with the intention of helping dogs in the region.  But he says growing attention could help it reach a national audience. 

 

"There's tens of thousands of animals out there that need our help," Magazu said.  "This is providing medicine; this is making their lives better; this is preventing animals that could live a healthy life from having to be euthanized because of a lack of funds.  It's a special mission, and we need everybody's help!"

 

Anyone interested in donating to the Guardian Angels K9 Fund can do so by visiting the Angels for Animals Foundation website, or by simply texting "GuardianK9" to the number 41444, followed by a space with the amount you want to give.