BARCS’ Franky Fund cares for nearly 900 animals each year with extraordinary medical needs. The costs to save their lives is outside of our annual budget, and so the Franky Fund relies completely on private donations. 100% of your gift today will help the animals listed below and others like them.
Earlier this week, little 1-year-old Mason was hit by a car and rushed to an emergency veterinary hospital in dire state by Baltimore City Animal Control officers. Our Franky Fund Coordinator was quickly contacted about Mason, and soon after, he formally came into BARCS’ care.
At the hospital, Mason received immediate treatment for his wounds and pain and, once he was more comfortable, x-rays were taken to evaluate the extent of his injuries. In addition to the punctures, skin abrasions and bruising all over his body, it was discovered that Mason sustained multiple fractures to his hips and pelvis that were nearly beyond repair. But Mason’s story did not end there–after consulting with other Franky Fund veterinary partners, our team was able to arrange surgery for him early next week. In the meantime, he is currently being treated at another Franky Fund partner hospital for further pain management and round-the-clock monitoring until his surgery takes place, ensuring he receives the care he needs.
Despite the horrific pain he must have felt, Mason was incredibly sweet and loving towards everyone taking care of him and, to no one's surprise, he quickly stole the hearts of the staff at the emergency vet. Though it will be a long road ahead to recovery for this small puppy, he deserves a second chance and a loving family. The surgery he requires is extensive and costly, and now, we need your help.
BARCS is seeking donations for Mason to our Franky Fund, which is a restricted fund that saves the lives of animals in the shelter with extraordinary medical needs and emergencies. It is a lifeline for the injured, sick and abused animals in Baltimore City. We can only spend as much as we raise and it is separate from our General Fund. Here at BARCS, we meet 11,000-12,000 animals each year that need us. Many like Mason need specialized care before they are ready to find loving homes.
With your help, we can give innocent animals like Mason a second chance at life. If you're able to assist, please consider making a donation. 100% of your donation goes directly to medical care.
Two weeks ago, Baltimore City Animal Control responded to a call about a 4-month-old puppy that reportedly sustained severe injuries after a former member of the household became hostile and kicked or threw her down the stairs. Cali, as we named her, was loved by her owner, but they did not feel that their situation was safe for themselves or Cali. Coupled with the cost of the medical care that she would need, the owner made the difficult decision to surrender Cali for emergency medical care and for her safety. Animal Control officers picked up Cali, who was unable to walk or hold herself up, and immediately rushed her to BARCS.
Upon examination, our veterinary team learned that both of Cali’s elbows on her front legs were fractured. She was in a lot of pain and, without surgery, would never be able to walk again. Thankfully, one of our Franky Fund partner hospitals was able to perform this lifesaving surgery for Cali the following week. So, after temporary casts were applied, along with strict crate rest, pain medication, and lots of snuggles from our staff, Cali went to the partner hospital to have both of her elbows repaired.
Cali is currently recuperating in a loving foster home with an experienced medical foster who can give her all the extra care that she needs as she heals. But, Cali still has a long road ahead to recovery–her mobility is very limited and she has to ease herself back into movement. Cali is only allowed restricted exercise for the next 8-12 weeks with additional x-rays at the 6-week and 12-week mark to ensure that her legs are healing correctly before she can resume more normal movement.
Despite everything she has endured, Cali is a sweet, fun-loving puppy who wants nothing more than affection, treats and playtime. We have promised Cali that things would get better from here on out and that she will be loved and cared for. Though her movements need to be limited now due to her injuries, we can’t wait for her elbows to heal and for her to be able to run and play like any other puppy.
Typically, we like to share these cases in real-time with our community, but due to the nature of the things we see at BARCS, we can’t always do that. Cali’s surgery was very expensive and she is continuing to receive follow-up medical care while she heals for many more weeks.
BARCS is seeking donations for Cali to our Franky Fund, which is a restricted fund that saves the lives of animals with extraordinary medical needs and emergencies. It is a lifeline for the injured, sick and abused animals in Baltimore City. We can only spend as much as we raise and it is separate from our General Fund. Here at BARCS, we meet 11,000-12,000 animals each year that need us. Many like Cali need specialized care before they are ready to find loving homes.
With your help, we can give innocent animals like Cali a second chance at life. If you're able to assist, please consider making a donation. 100% of your donation goes directly to medical care.
Update March 2024: Carolina was adopted!
On Saturday, October 28, Baltimore City Animal Control officers received a call about a 4-month-old puppy who had been tied to the banister of a vacant house. When officers arrived at the location, they noted that Carolina, as we named her, had a severely injured leg that was actively bleeding. As they approached her, they realized that the lower half of her leg and foot was almost entirely severed from the upper half of her leg. The officers immediately rushed her to one of our Franky Fund partner hospitals for treatment.
While we are unsure of what caused this type of injury to Carolina’s leg, her emergency exam revealed that the injury is extensive and her leg cannot be saved. Carolina is also underweight and has a fractured tooth requiring additional medical care. The veterinary hospital needed to immediately remove the portion of her leg that was severed, and she will have to return to the hospital tomorrow for a full amputation. In the meantime, we are keeping her as comfortable as possible in a staff member’s office, where she is receiving round-the-clock care, medication and snuggles.
Despite everything that she has been through, Carolina is an incredibly sweet, loving and playful puppy who wants nothing more than love from her new human friends. We have vowed to Carolina that we will make this better and that from here on she will be loved and well cared for. Though her movements need to be limited now due to her injuries, we can’t wait for her to heal from the amputation and be able to run and play like any other puppy.
BARCS is seeking donations for Carolina to our Franky Fund, which is a restricted fund that saves the lives of animals with extraordinary medical needs and emergencies. It is a lifeline for the injured, sick and abused animals in Baltimore City. We can only spend as much as we raise and it is separate from our General Fund. Here at BARCS, we meet 10,000-12,000 animals each year that need us. Many like Carolina need specialized care before they are ready to find their forever homes.
Now through the end of the year, all donations to our Franky Fund will be generously matched dollar-to-dollar up to $15,000 by The Trexler and Wilner Foundations and Jeff Abarbanel and David Goldner.
With your help, we can give innocent animals like Carolina a second chance at life. If you're able to assist, please consider making a donation using the button above. 100% of your donation goes directly to medical care.
Update November 2023: Carolina was adopted!
Donate now and give the gift of health and life.
Critical Medical Funds
Critical Medical Care for our animals is the largest part of the BARCS budget, totaling more than $500,000 each year. It’s where funding for our shelter is always most critically needed. Our medical funds save hundreds of animals a year at BARCS. As Maryland’s largest animal shelter, we see some of the worst cases of abuse and neglect—donations are quickly used for treatment.
With increased donations, we can save more and more animals—which is why they need you. Your gift today will give an injured pet a second chance, so that they may never live another day without medical care, shelter and, most importantly, love.
Medical Care Fund
This in-house fund provides ongoing medical care for all of our shelter animals, including antibiotics, vaccinations, testing and spay and neuter surgery. Nancy Cohen and Michael Schaffer from Eddie’s of Roland Park generously provided the seed funding to launch this lifesaving fund.
The Franky Fund
Named after Franky, a special puppy who was the first recipient of care through this fund, the Franky Fund provides outside emergency and specialized medical care to homeless animals in need. Animals requiring critical assessment and immediate lifesaving treatment are sent to partnering veterinary hospitals to evaluate and treat them at a lower cost to BARCS.
BARCS has so many wonderful animals that need new homes. Even a small donation will make a BIG difference! Donations large and small can help a young puppy that needs special medication or help a cat get the immediate care that it needs to get adopted. If you would like to make a donation to BARCS, you can do so in a variety of ways.
Donate Online
Visit our secure online donation page to send your gift quickly and directly to the animals.
Donate by Mail
You can mail a check made payable to BARCS to 2490 Giles Road, Baltimore, MD 21225. Please fill out the BARCS donation form and send with your tax-deductable donation.
Gift of Life
The greatest gift you can give to a shelter animal comes in the form of one small word…“home.” Save a life this holiday season when you donate $75 (or any amount you can give) to the Gift of Life donation drive. Your year end, tax-deductible gift will help pay the adoption fee of an animal in our shelter so that they find a forever home. And you will not only save that animal’s life but also the next animal that comes to BARCS in need of care.
Leaders of the Pack
In 2016, BARCS introduced a new major donors circle, the Leaders of the Pack. This special group is for people who understand that they aren't just providing support--they are saving lives. BARCS' Leaders of the Pack members $1,000 or more annually to help us continue our work finding homes for Baltimore's homeless pets.
Donate Through the Charity Campaigns
You can donate to the shelter through the Charity Campaigns at work by using BARCS designated numbers:
Baltimore City Charity Campaign: #0192
Maryland Charity Campaign: EIN/Taypayer ID 86-1130456
Combined Charity Campaign (Federal): #33054
United Way: Write in BARCS as Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter, Inc.
Memorial or Tribute Donation
To make a donation in memory of a person or pet, please fill out the Memorial or Tribute Form and mail it to Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter, Inc., (BARCS), 2490 Giles Road, Baltimore, MD 21225.
In Lieu of Flowers (for Funerals or Memorials)
Suggested text to use for memorials:
“In lieu of flowers, the family of ______________________ requests your consideration in donating to Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter, Inc., (BARCS), 2490 Giles Road, Baltimore, MD 21225. In honor of ______________________.”
In Lieu of Wedding Favors
Getting married? Think of donating to BARCS for your wedding favors. Suggested text:
“In honor of this special day, a gift has been made on behalf of all of our wonderful supportive family and friends gathered here today and those with us in spirit to the Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter, Inc. (BARCS).”
Planned Gifts
Support BARCS with a planned gift. You may benefit from income and capital gains tax savings when you establish a planned gift. Donors can also direct their insurance plans, retirement funds and IRAs in support of BARCS. This designation often allows the donor to make a considerable legacy gift. Careful planning is necessary in the use of IRAs and other retirement plans to fund charitable gifts, so please contact your tax advisor. You may also contact the BARCS development department for more information at jgoldberger@barcs.org.
BARCS Custom License Plate
Show your support for BARCS by purchasing a custom BARCS license plate. They are $75, and $50 from each plate goes directly to BARCS to care for the animals. Just send a check for $75 made out to BARCS to: BARCS License Plate Program, 2490 Giles Road, Baltimore, MD 21225. You will receive an application in the mail which should be completed and returned to the above address and you will receive your new plate in 6-8 weeks. Please make sure you include your address if the address on your check is not current.
Caring for our animals requires a lot of time, love, money and supplies. Listed below is BARCS' “Wish List” of supplies needed. You can also donate items from our Amazon Wish List. If you donate an item through Amazon, please let us know (Amazon sends it to us anonymously) so that we can properly acknowledge your contribution by emailing your full name, address and item purchased to give@barcs.org.
Donating wish list items helps us with the day-to-day care of our animals and supports our operational needs.
Items can be dropped off during the following hours:
Monday-Friday from 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
You can find directions to the shelter on our Directions page. Remember, even used items can help our animals. All donations are tax deductible.
TOYS & ENRICHMENT
Kongs (large and XL)
Nylabones (large and XL)
Catch interactive feeder for dogs
Chuck-it balls (large)
Kong Goodie Bone
Feliway spray
Stretch and scratch box for cats
Feather wand toys
Reflective mobiles/wind chimes
Realistic/felt mouse toys (no cat nip)
Automatic laser pointer
Catch brand interactive feeder for cats
VETERINARY CARE
Kitchen scales
Large heating disc
Triple antibiotic ointment or cream
Gauze (3”x3” 4PLY)
Latex gloves (all sizes)
Non-latex gloves (large)
Digital thermometers
Batteries: AAA, AA, 9V
New toothbrushes (must be individually wrapped)
KENNEL CARE
Blankets, comforters, towels, sheets
Shower curtains (non-transparent)
Stainless steel no-flip bowls (all sizes)
Nylon Flat Buckle Collars (16-20 inches, no plastic clip)
British slip leads (leash-type)
Kitten nursing bottles
Cat brushes
Baby wipes
Medium and large plastic airline-type crates
Aromatherapy diffuser
Essential oils (lavender and chamomile)
Kuranda dog beds: If you would like to allow one more homeless dog to sleep in comfort, please donate a bed at our special wholesale price
FOOD & TREATS
Dog/puppy food: dry and wet (unopened)
Cat/kitten food: dry and wet (unopened)
Nutri-Cal nutritional supplement
Breeders Edge brand kitten replacement milk
Royal Canin: Babycat (wet/dry)
Zukes brand dog treats (training size)
Bully sticks
Smooth peanut butter
CLEANING SUPPLIES
Paper towels (regular and industrial)
Dawn dish detergent
Lint rollers
Plastic watering cans
Hand sanitizer
OFFICE SUPPLIES
Copy paper (white, blue, pink, yellow, purple, blue)
