Help Ginger Finish Her Journey to a Pain-Free Life

Meet Ginger!

Ginger is a young pup with a big personality and she's ready to show the world that she's so much more than what she's been through.

She's a professional cuddler, loves nothing more than curling up on the bed for a good nap, and has earned a reputation as a true destroyer of squeaky toys. Give her a ball or a Nylabone and she's one happy girl. And when it comes to food? Let's just say Ginger is a very enthusiastic fan. 🐾

Despite everything her body has endured, Ginger is still playful, affectionate, and full of life. She's finally getting the chance to heal from her old injuries and discover what it feels like to move without the pain and limitations they've caused.

Ginger deserves the chance to be a dog—to cuddle, play, chase her favorite toys, enjoy a good meal, and experience life with a family of her own.

Your gift can help give her that chance.

The Diagnosis: A Painful Past

X-rays revealed that Ginger had severe, old injuries to both hind legs, likely caused by being hit by a car long before she came to the shelter. Without treatment, her bones had healed improperly, leaving her with significant pain and mobility problems.

Enter the incredible team at Atlas Pet Vets. After watching them perform absolute miracles during Elda’s recovery, we knew without a doubt that Ginger would be in the best possible hands.

Step 1: Complete! (07/22)

Ginger’s immediate priority was an FHO (Femoral Head Ostectomy) on her worst hip—a procedure that relieves intense pain by removing the damaged head and neck of the thigh bone. Without bone rubbing against bone, her surrounding muscles will form a flexible "false joint," giving her back pain-free mobility.

💖 Update: Ginger had her FHO surgery on Wednesday, July 22nd, and it was a success! She is currently resting comfortably with her medical foster (who also happens to be a FLEAS board member!).

Step 2: Complete! (09/18)

With her most painful joint treated, our focus shifted to long-term comfort: fixing the femur in her second hind leg, which was previously broken and healed at a 90 degree angle.

💖 Update: Ginger's second surgery is complete!
On September 18th, Ginger underwent surgery to realign her femur using a custom 3D surgical mold and precision guides designed specifically for her case. This cutting‑edge setup allowed the surgical team to make exact, controlled cuts, reducing the overall surgery time.

This advanced plan was the key to bringing her leg back into proper alignment and giving her the best possible chance at a pain‑free future.

Scroll down to see Ginger take her first steps on her newly straightened femur. This girl is amazing!

Behind Ginger's Surgeries: Hear From Her Veterinarian

Ginger's recovery has required extraordinary veterinary care and some remarkable surgical planning.

In these videos, Dr. Anthony walks us through Ginger's complex orthopedic procedures, explains the challenges of correcting her old injuries, and demonstrates how a custom 3D model and specialized surgical guides helped plan and perform her reconstruction.

▶️ Watch Ginger's surgical journey and see the incredible work behind her second chance.

Surgery Was Just the First Step

Ginger endured painful, improperly healed injuries to both hind legs for far too long. Her treatment required two complex orthopedic procedures, including reconstructive surgery to correct a femur that had healed at nearly a 90-degree angle.

FLEAS made the decision to move forward with Ginger's surgeries before the necessary funds had been raised. We couldn't justify making her wait any longer for relief. That decision gave Ginger a chance at a better life, but it also placed a significant strain on our emergency medical fund.

And Ginger's medical journey isn't over.

Because she spent so long walking on a severely misaligned leg, her muscles and movement patterns adapted to compensate. Correcting the bone was essential, but now her body must learn how to move properly again.

Over the next several months, Ginger will need specialized physical therapy, therapeutic laser treatments, and underwater treadmill sessions. These treatments will help stretch and strengthen her muscles, restore mobility, and retrain her body and brain to develop a healthier, more natural walking pattern.

Without this important next phase of care, Ginger will continue to struggle with abnormal movement and limited mobility despite her successful surgeries.

Ginger's Journey to Healing

Ginger's specialized care wasn't cheap, but giving this sweet girl a pain-free future is priceless!

Ginger had already waited long enough. She deserved to start healing. She deserved the chance to walk without the pain and limitations of her old injuries. And she deserved that chance now.

Making that choice completely depleted FLEAS' medical fund. Now we're asking our community to help us replenish those funds—not just for Ginger, but for the next shelter pet who needs us to say, "Yes, we'll help."

Here is how Ginger's care breaks down, what your generosity has already made possible, and what we still need to cross the finish line:

• Initial Exam & X-Ray: $695.93
• Femoral Head Osteotomy (FHO) Surgery: $2,654.07
• CT Scan: $1,289.39
• 3D Model/Guides & Femur Surgery: $2,779.89
• Physical & Laser Therapy: $1,080.00
• Total Spent on Medical Care: $8,499.28

How You Can Help

Advanced veterinary care, specialized imaging, and custom international surgical planning come at a high cost—but Ginger deserves a chance at a painless, happy life.

💗 GIVE: A gift of any size helps us cover Ginger's medical expenses.

📣 SHARE: If you can't give today, please share Ginger's story with someone who loves dogs. A personal share could connect Ginger with someone we've never reached.

Ginger has survived the worst—now let’s give her the bright, painless future she deserves.