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.
On Monday, Baltimore City Animal Control received a complaint for a young puppy that was found lost and injured in zip code 21218. Seattle, as we named her, was unable to walk or move around. She was hunched over, frozen with pain. Due to the severity of her condition, officers rushed her to a partner Franky Fund clinic for emergency care.
X-rays revealed the cause of baby Seattle’s terrible pain: both of her femurs and her hip are fractured—injuries that are consistent with being kicked very hard or hit by a very heavy object.
If this is the case, we cannot even begin to understand why anyone could do such a horrible thing to an animal—let alone a baby. And yet, with no reason to, she still crawled and clung to humans for help.
Seattle needs emergency surgery to help heal her broken bones. Her fractures are so severe that she may need more than one surgery.
We are seeking donations to help with Seattle’s emergency care.
We know that it is difficult to read about injured and abused animals, especially those victims of violence. It's hard for us too—we never get "used to" the things we see each day. We thank each and every one of you who support our shelter so that we can save animals like Seattle.
Even if you are not able to give at this time, you can help our community by sharing this story with your network and taking a step offline to speak to a young person in your life about kindness to animals.
Together we can be a loud voice to stop abuse and build a more humane Baltimore.
**Please contact Baltimore City Animal Abuse Detective Kan at 443-257-7402 if you have any information regarding the case. You can remain anonymous.**
Over the holiday weekend, Baltimore City Animal Control officers responded to a call from a concerned community member who witnessed a dog being hit by a car in the Gwynn Oak neighborhood. The citizen was able to approach and lift the dog into her car before calling. Due to the dog’s severe injuries, officers brought the dog directly to one of BARCS’ emergency veterinary clinic partners.
Butter Bee, as we named her, has fractures in both her lower jaw and jaw joint. Her facial damage is so great that, earlier this week, there were moments where veterinarians didn’t believe her quality of life could improve. Thankfully, after a few touch-and-go days, we received hopeful news that she could be saved. Even though sweet Butter Bee was constantly whimpering and shaking from pain, she’s been trying to prove to everyone that she is alright with gentle tail wags and kisses.
Meanwhile, Baltimore resident Virginia was coping with heartache. In 2018, her son Johnathan tragically passed away. Johnathan was a big dog lover and owned three dogs, including a sweet girl named Lydia, who he adopted from BARCS in 2014. Virginia lovingly opened up her home to her son’s pups, and they helped to ease her grief.
Several months after her son’s passing, Virginia let Lydia outside to go potty. When it was time to bring her in, Lydia was gone. Virginia searched high and low for sweet Lydia, but it seemed she was gone. Now, over two years later, she hasn’t stopped looking.
And then, Virginia got a phone call from BARCS.
When Butter Bee arrived at the ER, she was scanned for a microchip… and the chip was still registered to BARCS, which led us to Virginia. She couldn’t believe it—Butter Bee was Lydia. Lydia, who meant so much to Virginia’s family not just for being a wonderful dog but also a link and constant happy reminder of her son, was found after two long years.
The family is overjoyed that Lydia was found after all these years, but the news of the accident and need for surgery is shocking. Virginia wants so badly to bring Lydia home, but the high cost for surgery was more than she could afford right now—and Lydia’s surgery is an emergency situation.
That’s where you come in—we need your help. This family has already seen so much heartache and tragedy, and we won’t let the high cost of saving Lydia get in the way of helping her and getting her back home in time for the holidays to be reunited with Virginia and especially with her younger son.
Lydia is having surgery to reconstruct her face and jaw today. We are so lucky that one of our generous Franky Fund partners was moved by this story and offered us a significant discount on the procedure, but we still need help to cover the remaining costs. You see, in the last 30 days, we’ve had 72 animals who were recipients of this program and our fund is very low.
Please consider giving to the Franky Fund today to help us make this happy ending possible. Any additional money raised will be used for the emergency medical care of the more than 800 animals that are treated through the Franky Fund yearly.
Thank you for your love and support. We promise to keep everyone updated!
Now through 11:59 p.m. on July 16, every donation to the Franky Fund will be generously matched dollar-for-dollar up to $15,000 by The Arthur Wilner Foundation and Jeffrey Abarbanel.
This baby with the shy smile is six-month-old Jodi. Jodi has arrived at BARCS in search of a second chance; her former owner surrendered her when they realized they could not provide the medical care that she needed to live a full life.
Jodi's medical needs are challenging, to say the least. She was born with a leg deformity that makes it difficult for her to walk. Up until now, she's been dragging her rear end and large leg on the ground to move around. Her way of "walking" is clearly not healthy or comfortable for her poor body.
She so desperately wants to run and play with our team. Though we do have a wheelchair in our shelter, it's not fitted to her body's unique needs, so it's not a long-term solution.
At BARCS, we never say no to an animal in need, including animals in need of specialized medical care like Jodi. But, we could use your help.
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 will help animals in need of emergency and specialized medical care.
With your help, we can give innocent pets a second chance at life.
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)
