My name is Robin Pressnall, and I'm the Executive Director of an organization known as Small Paws Rescue, Inc.
http://www.smallpawsrescue.org/
Small Paws®' mission is to locate and place unwanted Bichon Frise dogs who have been relinquished by their owners, Bichons found in shelters, and/or those that we have rescued from a puppy mill, for medical treatment and adoption.
Small Paws is the largest breed rescue in the country and we have supporters in 23 countries across the world. We have been doing this rescue work for Bichons since the summer of 1998.
We are a not-for-profit charitable organization, described under the Internal Revenue code 501C3. A copy of that decision can be viewed at the following web site address:
http://www.smallpawsrescue.org/pup3/501C3.html
Approximately 800 Small Paws® volunteers are located nationwide, and these volunteers foster our Bichons until they can be placed in permanent homes. Our volunteer is fostering a Bichon or Bichon Frise Mix at this time.
We take full responsibility for the expense of any veterinary care incurred by this Bichon during it's foster care. In addition, we will also expect to be involved in the decision-making process regarding any major treatment that might be needed.
With all of our rescued Bichons, these are the things we will need to have done, unless we have proof that they were done by the previous owner.
Altering. (Spay or Neuter)
Heartworm Testing
Fecal Exam
Teeth cleaning and extractions (if needed)
Tumors removed and sent to Pathology. (if needed)
For Bichons that come from breeding situations, we require Brucellosis testing. If we get a positive test, we send it to Cornell University for an absolute confirmation. We do see several "false positives" each year.
For Bichons that come from breeding situations, we also require 16 days of quarantine to make sure we don't have communicable diseases that would go home with our foster parents and contaminate their own dogs. The safety of our volunteer's dogs must come first.
We do ask for the following vaccinations.
1) 1 Yr. Rabies
2) Bordetella Bronchiseptica
3) Canine Distemper, Adenovirus Type 2, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus, Leptospira Canicola-Grippotyphosa-Icterohaemorrhagiae-Pomona Bacterin
We do not use the drug "Rimadyl" on our Bichons. We've had several adverse reactions to our rescued Bichons, as confirmed by Pfizer, by this drug. Bichons seem to be very sensitive to it, and therefore, we do not use it and do not authorize payment for it.
We often use a drug called "Metacam" as a substitute. We also do not use the heartworm preventative known as Revolution because of numerous adverse reactions. Small Paws Bichons are also not to have the dental treat, GREENIES.
At this time, I would like to authorize your office to treat the animal in question, up to the first $100.00 of veterinary care. Any care that could potentially be in excess of this amount would need verbal authorization by myself. Of course, Small Paws® pays all veterinary bills in a timely manner, and your office should assume the same in this case.
If you need a veterinary financial reference for Small Paws, you may call Dr. David Russell at The Small Animal Clinic of Tulsa, 1-918-749-VETS, or the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine at 979-845-2351. We have completed 54 heart murmur repairs at Texas A&M over the years.
http://www.smallpawsrescue.org/pup3/heartreunion.html
Given the fact that we are a charitable organization, and do not make any profit from our activities, it is our hope that your office might consider offering services at a reduced cost in the way of a rescue discount. In this way, we can fully utilize our charitable contributions to aid as many Bichons as possible.
If you can bill us directly, it would be much appreciated and we will get payment mailed out to you within two weeks.
We pay all of our vet bills every Monday night.
The fax number to send vet bills is 918-274-1283. If you would prefer to mail vet bills, the address is
Small Paws® Rescue Inc.
%Robin Pressnall
3316 S. 72nd. W. Ave.
Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74107
If you have any questions regarding the above, or need to contact me to obtain verbal authorization for further treatment, I can be contacted at the phone numbers or address listed below.
We are very grateful for any services you may provide for our Bichons, as it is our goal to serve as many rescued Bichons as possible.
Gratefully,
Robin Pressnall, Executive Director
Small Paws® Rescue, Inc.
3316 S. 72nd. W. Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74107
cell phone: 1-918-638-5854
Fax 918-274-1283
e-mail address: Pup3@aol.com