Economic woes also hitting Badger Animal Fund
Photo
Ray, a blind cat, sits on the lap of Julie Servantez at her and her husband's, Dr. Steve Servantez, home in Milton. Badger Veterinary Clinic, where Dr. Servantez works, maintains a fund to help pet owners pay for treatment for animals like Ray. The Servantez's adopted the cat after it was treated.
JANESVILLE — Ray seemed like a healthy, well-loved cat when the staff at Badger Veterinary Hospital found him two weeks ago on the hospital's doorstep.
His soft, gray coat gleamed under a kitty sweater. A note attached to his carrier said he was neutered and declawed.
There was just one problem: His eyes, tiny and dysfunctional from a birth defect, were infected and needed to be removed.
That's where the Badger Animal Fund stepped in.
Veterinarian Steve Servantez started the fund five or six years ago when he noted a need for financial help for people whose pets developed serious or expensive health problems, he said. The fund helps dozens of animals a year, from dogs and cats to horses and injured wildlife.
Usually, pet owners or local clinics bring cases to the fund's attention, and owners don't have to be clients of Badger Veterinary Hospital to be recipients. Servantez hopes telling Ray's story doesn't encourage people to leave animals on his doorstep, but rather lets them know that help is available.
For example, the fund recently helped a girl pay for surgery for her horse, said Janet Pezzi, president of the fund's board. The girl had saved her money all summer but still didn't have enough for follow-up treatment, and her parents couldn't afford to pay the rest.
The board—made up of Badger Veterinary Hospital employees and community members—reviews each application, looking at individual circumstances and need, Pezzi said.
"We like to see an individual who's taken very good care of their animal in the past," she said.
Steve Servantez and his wife, Julie, took Ray home after his surgery, which cost more than $800. Besides stitches where his eyes should be, you'd hardly know the cat had a disability. He occasionally feels his way past furniture or other obstacles, but he's already getting to know his way around and gets along with humans and other pets.
"It's amazing how he navigates, how he learns," Steve said.
The fund is intended to help more animals such as Ray, but it's been hurt in the recent economic crisis, Pezzi said. It relies on private donations, employee donations and corporate sponsors, but it's lost sponsors in the past year, she said.
Meanwhile, veterinary costs are rising the same as other health care costs.
"We've had to turn people away where we really didn't want to," Pezzi said.
As for Ray, he seems to have found a good home with the Servantez family. When asked if they were going to keep him, Julie and Steve each took a deep breath.
"If I can find a better home for him, he can go, but I'm not actively looking," Julie said.
TO HELP
Donations to the Badger Animal Fund can be sent to Badger Animal Fund, P.O. Box 2258, Janesville, WI 53546.
Call (608) 754-1888 for more information.
Oct 24, 2008 at 6:04 a.m.
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Those of us in the veterinary field have all taken in stray animals at one point and nursed them back to health and then taken care of them the rest of their lives. Most of us do not ask for donations from other people, we just do it because we know its right and we have the resources available. This article makes it seem like Dr. Servantez had planned on keeping this cat and then used the funds dedicated to help those in need. By all means I do not think veterinary hospitals are able to take care of every stray aniaml at minimal charge but there are times when we do need to step up and do our part.
Oct 23, 2008 at 9:38 p.m.
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P.S.
I will not hide behide a pseudoname. Contact me:
Steven Servantez, DVM
Badger Veterinary Hospital, Inc.
3113 E McCormick Drive
Janesville, WI 53546
608-754-1888
isuvet89@jvlnet.com
Home: 608-868-7194
Oct 23, 2008 at 9:31 p.m.
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I feel at this time I would like to comment on the "comments" First of all, thank you to all people who have left the kind words. Secondly, Ray is doing great, thank you. Third, I did not ask or request any "press" on this story of Ray.
To blogger polert . . . get a life, you are a parasite on society, you need help.
To blogger mjbcrbts . . . what have YOU done to donate to humanity or animals? I have not heard from YOU donating time or money for Ray. Contact me, I would be happy to accept YOUR time and/or skills needed for this animal on a daily basis for the next 10-12 years. I have NOT charged for all of the care incurred or will incur the care of Ray for the next 10 years of his life. I donate time and money and resources on a DAILY basis for the care and welfare of animals, all without recognition (none wanted or needed). What do you do for a living? Do you donate your skills, talents, monies because you chose to be trained for years in your profession. Does this training OBLIGATE you to give back? My profession does not, nor has ever obligated me to give back . . . I CHOOSE to because of my morals, beliefs and mainly because I want to.
MY fund, which I set up, gives away between 15-20K per year, to other clinics, shelters, etc. per year; what do you give???
Life your life to the fullest, give daily. Participate.
Steven Servantez, DVM
Oct 23, 2008 at 1:54 p.m.
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No, I would not expect a doctor to do anything for free. They have worked very hard to become a doctor-Having said that-this doctor created a program for people in need. During these hard times, seems as if he would be able to donate his time and supplies to treat an animal in need. It is hard enough for people in this town right now. It would be different if this was a family who was in need of help but it wasnt.
Oct 23, 2008 at 1:06 p.m.
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mjbcrbts, nothing is free. If the Drs were doing free surgeries all day, they'd be asking for donations to feed their families instead.
Oct 23, 2008 at 12:22 p.m.
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Have all of you lost your mind?? Why in the world would this great doctor not donate his time to this cat? Why would he use money from a fund that is directly made for people who are need of this service?? What is the actual COST of this procedure?? WHY WHY COULDN'T HE JUST DONATE HIS TIME AND SUPPLIES? Is he really that much of a star? Think not,he should have donated his time instead of taking the money from the people who really need it.
Oct 20, 2008 at 9:10 p.m.
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I'm glad to see there are people out there willing to help the animals. I am a big animal lover and give my time and money to many animal causes. Thank you to Badger Animal Fund. I will be in touch soon to help as well. The world needs more kind hearted people.
Oct 20, 2008 at 7:16 p.m.
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Hats off to Dr.Servantez!!! My family from experience has been touched by the kind heart of Dr.Steve Servantez back when we were ignorant enough to by a min pin from petland.. Dr.Servantez also took our pet Guiedo home and cared for him 24 hours trying to give our little guy a fighting chance, once our pet passed away Dr.Servantez and his team at Badger were very warm and helpful for months after!!!!
Oct 20, 2008 at 1:42 p.m.
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polert, cant you go one moment without being a total @$$? This story is about ANIMALS. Go annoy another blog please.
.
now i forgot what I was going to say... Evil
Oct 20, 2008 at 1:40 p.m.
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Vet care costs are on the rise. I just paid $6.50 for a "syringe charge" on top of the already pricey vaccine charge. This fund is important for helping animals and their owners. I wish more funds like this existed. I hate to see animals turned away because owners can't pay. Thank you Dr. Servantez!!
Oct 20, 2008 at 11:38 a.m.
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Two thumbs up for Dr. Servantez!! I know from experience that he truly understands what it means to love a pet.
Oct 20, 2008 at 11:31 a.m.
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What a pathetic attempt at humor.
This story is about an organization that does great things and you once again try to bring your political views into the story to belittle a politician that you do not like.
Kudos to the Badger Animal Fund for the work they do.
Oct 20, 2008 at 11:03 a.m.
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Under Obama this cat will be well taken care of. Ray if you can hear me Obama will take great care of you. You can continue the life of unwilling to work hard to get ahead on your own. Obama plans to take from every hard working cat, and give to you. You may be gray but atleast you are not white. You get a extra 2 lives for that.
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