Shelter Me: The Bridge Clinic saves dog's life

TREVOSE, Pa. (WPVI) -- When a dog needed a life-saving surgery but her owner couldn't afford it, a local clinic stepped in to save the day.

When Pamela Depalo noticed her dog, Sheba, was acting unusual she knew something was wrong.

"It was her uterus," she said. "It was ready to burst in any minute."

The veterinarian told Pamela the lifesaving surgery would cost more than $4,000, a price that was out of her budget.

That's when The Bridge Clinic of Trevose, Pa. stepped in.

"We help people like Pam who can't financially afford different types of medical surgeries and things like that," said director Michele Miller.

"They saved my dog," Depalo said. "She's my world."

Three weeks later, Sheba is back to her old self.

"She loves everybody, she loves to give kisses, she loves to hug. She's just got a great personality," said Depalo.

The Bridge Clinic is a low cost spay, neuter, and wellness clinic run by volunteers and relying on donations.

"We keep it the bare bones minimum, and keep the services that are really needed for the animals," Miller said.

The clinic also has a rescue operation dubbed Rescue Purrrfect. They trap, neuter and release feral cats, and sometimes find friendly felines, like Handsome Man.

"We can't put a friendly back out so that's where the rescue comes into play," Miller said.

It's kitten season so there are lots of little guys like Chip and Fendi looking for a home.

They're very playful and they run around," said volunteer Elizabeth McCullough

And while free roaming cats are the focus, they couldn't turn their back on Gigi.

"She just wants that love and attention she needs to be by humans all the time," said Miller. "We're offering constant training to whoever is willing to take her in."

To learn more about the The Bridge Clinic, visit their website at thebridgeclinic.com.

And, if you'd like us to share your shelter success stories, post a picture to the FYI Philly Facebook page using the hashtag 6abc shelter me and tell us where you adopted your pet and how much they mean to you.

We'll be featuring your stories on upcoming Shelter Me segments.

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