Dubuque Regional Humane Society

Healing Starts Here.

Every day at the Dubuque Regional Humane Society (DRHS), animals arrive needing more than shelter. They need medical care, healing, comfort, and a chance at a future. Right now, some of our most vulnerable animals need us more than ever, and we need your help to be there for them. 

Moscato                                                     Star

Two Dogs. Three Surgeries. One Critical Medical Fund.

Moscato, a sweet 4-year-old dog rehomed at the DRHS, had only been with us a few days when staff noticed something wasn't right. She had begun limping, and after veterinary consultation, we received heartbreaking news: Moscato had a full cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) tear in her left leg (similar to an ACL tear in humans) and a possible partial tear in her right leg as well.  She is living with daily pain and instability and will require surgery on both legs, along with a lengthy recovery period in between procedures. 

Then came Star. 

She arrived at the DRHS in early April after her owner sadly passed away. Gentle, loving, and impossible not to fall for, Star recently began showing signs of limping too. After evaluation, we learned she is facing the very same painful condition: a CCL tear requiring imaging, surgery, and recovery. 

Together, these lifesaving surgeries are expected to cost nearly $14,000, an enormous and unforeseen expense for our shelter's medical fund. But these girls deserve relief. They deserve healing. They deserve a future free from pain. And because of supporters like you, we can say yes to animals like Moscato and Star when they need us most.

And Then There Are the Tiny Lives Fighting to Survive

While dogs like Moscato and Star receive critical medical care, another crisis is unfolding behind the scenes: kitten season. Recently, our foster coordinator cared for 15 bottle baby kittens from four separate litters.

These fragile kittens require around-the-clock care to survive. Some need feedings every two hours throughout the day and night, along with careful monitoring, warming support, medications, veterinary attention, and more. 

Caring for bottle babies comes with constant supply needs. Formula, bottles, miracle nipples, heating pads, and medications disappear quickly when so many tiny lives depend on them every single day. And as more litters continue arriving at our doors, those costs continue climbing. Your support helps ensure we never run out of the lifesaving supplies these vulnerable kittens need to grow healthy, strong, and ready for adoption.  

You Can Be the Reason They Heal

When you give to the DRHS, you are helping animals receive lifesaving surgeries, medications, emergency treatment, neonatal care, and the support they need to recover safely in foster homes.

You are helping remove barriers to care.

You are helping us say yes — even when the cases are difficult, unexpected, and expensive.

Today, we urgently need support to replenish our Medical Fund and continue providing care for animals like Moscato, Star, and countless vulnerable kittens still waiting for their chance.