He was trapped in a wire crate…and he was practically a skeleton.
Thanks to you, we were able to be there for Kal when he needed us the most.
That’s what our ARL Animal Services Officer saw when responding to a tip about a dog in need of urgent care in Des Moines. She found the Great Dane named Kal shut in the crate with no food and no water—wasting away in an apartment where people were living. And no one was helping him.
When the ARL officer told the owner to let Kal out, he bolted for the bathroom and began guzzling water out of the toilet. He was so hungry and thirsty it was heartbreaking.
The ARL officer quickly transported Kal to our Miracle Medical Ward for emergency care. He weighed just 44 pounds and wouldn’t have survived much longer. We immediately gave him food and water, and then IV fluids for his extreme dehydration. Once he was stable, we started him on a special feeding program to help him safely regain his weight.
It took weeks, but Kal flourished in our care, ultimately weighing in at 73 pounds! With access to steady, consistent nutrition, his bubbly personality came out. He loved going on walks with his foster family and greeting everyone in the neighborhood. He became a giant lap dog and loved to gallop around like a horse, earning him the nickname “Clyde,” short for “Clydesdale.”
Once Kal was ready for adoption, it didn’t take long for a family to fall in love. He’s now in a home where he is loved and cared for as he has always deserved. Kal has a blast running around with the kids and getting scratches from the whole family.
Stories of recovery like Kal’s are only possible because of your support. Thanks to you, we were able to be there for Kal when he needed us the most, providing emergency veterinary care and all the time, medical care and love he needed to recover. You gave Kal his second chance, and he’s loving every minute of it.
To learn more about the all the ways you can help change the lives of pets in need in our community, like Kal, please contact Lora Rogers at (515) 473-9119 or legacy@arl-iowa.org.