Ellie Mae, a basset hound found in the tornado wreckage of Collinsville is in need of knee surgery, a costly procedure. Auburn University's college of veterinary medicine has necessary emergency funds available and will be able to cover the cost of the operation.
Renee Weidler, founder of Help For Our Furry Friends, rescued Ellie Mae and more than 50 other dogs shortly after the April tornado devastation occurred.
"No one really knows where she came from," Weidler said. "She's a doll though."
Weidler noticed that Ellie Mae was limping after she was rescued, and it was becoming progressively worse. The original prognosis by veterinarians was a broken hip.
"She had been up there for two weeks, but no one claimed her," Weidler said.
The shelter could not afford to pay for the operation or medical care for many other rescued animals.
"There are disaster funds for us two-leggeds. That's what we call ourselves," said Kristie Ness, a volunteer for the foundation. "There has to be funds for four-leggeds. They are injured. Why can't we get disaster funds for them?"
Ness began the search for funds and contacted the Small Animal Clinic at Auburn University. She was referred to Vic Walker, manager of client services, who then determined if funds were available.
"The college of veterinary medicine has a good samaritan fund that can contribute to these dogs that don't have owners and have terrible injuries," said Jamie Bellah, professor and head of clinical sciences. "That is the fund we will use for her (Ellie Mae's) care."
Ness received a phone call from Walker confirming that funds were available and surgery would take place.
Walker then set up a time for Ellie Mae to travel from Birmingham to Auburn June 6 to be diagnosed.
"I communicated to Walker that we should take a look at the dog and see if we can help it," Bellah said. "We're certainly a hospital capable of helping animals with medical or surgical problems, so we certainly like to help when we can."
Bellah said it is a teaching hospital and they do sometimes have the means to help out dogs like this that are not in a normal circumstance, but they can't help every dog in this situation.
Dr. R.D. Montgomery, professor of orthopedic surgery, took Ellie Mae in for examination and was able to identify the medical issue.
"It is not a broken hip, but rather a torn ACL," Montgomery said.
Montgomery will be conducting surgery on Ellie Mae June 7 to correct the knee. After the surgery, Ness said Ellie Mae has plans to be adopted in Tallassee.
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