In January of 2010 the Shamrock Foundation, a no kill local rescue group, started the Arrow Fund. Aiden the black lab was rescued from a horrible situation in Pike County, so horrible that the poor pup had been used as target practice. He'd been shot through the shoulder with an arrow and had received serious injuries from that incident. He was the first Arrow dog, but his story launched a remarkable movement across the Louisville Metro area. With the help of donations from the public, and wonderful vet services given to heal Aiden this movement caught fire. It got attention from the Humane Society of the United States, so much so that since then they have begun to donate their services to help find those who have injured the "Arrow Fund" animals.
Aiden was the first, but he wasn't the last. Soon after Aiden came Hanna and Honey, two 8 week old puppies that were dumped in a bag of dog food without water on one of the hottest days that month. Both were successfully tended to and found a home together to enjoy the remainder of their lives. Then there was Billy, a black lab mix dog that was suspected of being used as a bait dog. His injury was so severe that he was missing part of his jaw. He was likewise taken care of through the help of rescuers and donations, he too found a wonderful forever home. However, these few animals were just the beginning. Now Shamrock has nine active cases in the Arrow Fund, their injuries range from a cat with a stricture in her colon to the most recent Arrow Fund animal Shamrock.
Shamrock is a border collie and the reason this article is being penned actually. Shamrock was shot and left for dead, his wounds are serious and like Billy the lab they involve his jaw. He has a plate on one side of his jaw holding it together and on the other side he has an external fixature to hold the shattered pieces together so they can heal. This device will need to remain on his jaw for 6 to 12 weeks. It has been noted by the Shamrock Foundation volunteers that he has limited use of his tongue currently, but there is hope that he will have more. Before being rescued he was unable to feed himself and he seems interested in at least attempting to drink and eat now. A later picture postesd on the Shamrock Foundation Facebook page showed Shamrock the border offering his belly for belly rubs. Which is a good sign after this kind of ordeal.
The estimated cost for his care ranges between $5,000 and $5,500 right now, so the Arrow Fund is asking for any and all help that can be sent they're way for Shamrock. For more information on how to donate and help Shamrock and other Arrow Fund animals click here to get updates on Shamrock and to follow the Shamrock Foundation on Facebook click here.
The Shamrock Arrow Fund as well as the Shamrock Foundation is a not for profit organization. The Arrow Fund specifically finds treatment for severely injured animals that are victims of violence or abuse in the state of Kentucky. Their goal is to inform and educate the public about animal abuse as well as to reform the animal neglect and abuse legislation. The Shamrock Foundation likewise is a no-kill organization that fosters all of their animals in their volunteers' homes. They work to end pet overpopulation, reduce animal deaths in animal shelters, and to save the lives of animals in the community they serve.
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