RECENT
Cases
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At just 7 months old, Luna (formerly Lulu), was found on the side of the road and brought to IHS in heartbreaking condition. She arrived profoundly neurologically affected: underweight, confused, struggling to respond to her surroundings, and unable to balance normally. She experienced constant head jerks and tremors, had severe coordination issues (ataxia), delayed proprioception in all limbs (meaning she had trouble knowing where her feet and legs were positioned in space, and her brain/body was slow to correct them) and even possible vision impairment. Simply standing up or trying to walk was a challenge. Learn more…
Meet Bella! This sweet girl was transferred to IHS from another local Idaho shelter in need of specialized medical care and a fresh start. Bella has brachycephalic airway disease, a condition common in flat-faced breeds that can make breathing difficult due to narrowed nostrils, elongated soft palates, and smaller airways. To help her breathe easier, our veterinary team performed surgery to widen her nostrils and shorten her soft palate. After surgery, Bella recovered in a loving foster home where she could rest, heal, and be spoiled with affection. Learn more…
Jake came to the Idaho Humane Society as a transfer from West Valley Humane Society, bringing with him a medical history that required some extra care and attention. Jake was diagnosed with a large calcium oxalate bladder stone, which required surgical removal through a procedure called a cystotomy. In addition to that, he was also dealing with a urinary tract infection, which has since been successfully treated with antibiotics. After his surgery and recovery, Jake spent some time in a foster home where he could rest, heal, and get back to feeling his best in a comfortable environment. Learn more…
When Chi Chi arrived at our shelter in early February, we knew she needed help immediately. She had been transferred to us from another organization that was unable to provide the medical care she desperately needed. Sweet little Chi Chi had a severe facial wound — an 8mm hole in her skull called a fistula that connected to her nasal cavity. GRAPHIC PHOTOS can be viewed of her before/after. Learn more…
This pretty lady is Reefa. She arrived at our Veterinary Medical Center in need of emergency surgery for a pyometra—a dangerous and life-threatening infection of the uterus. Without fast treatment, a pyometra can quickly become fatal, often within 24-48 hours. Pyometra most commonly affects unspayed female dogs and cats. The uterus fills with infection and pus, causing pets to become very ill. Signs can include lethargy, vomiting, loss of appetite, increased drinking and urination, weakness, or a swollen abdomen. As the infection worsens, toxins can spread throughout the body and lead to sepsis or organ failure. Learn more…
Found as a stray and brought in by a kind Good Samaritan, this sweet pup, Quesadilla, arrived at our Shelter Medical Center in need of care. He was diagnosed with a medial patellar luxation in his left knee, a condition where the kneecap slips out of place. To correct this, he underwent a surgical repair (medial patellar luxation correction), which realigns the kneecap and stabilizes the joint to reduce pain and allow for normal movement—and he handled it like a champ. Learn more…
Last year, the Idaho Humane Society responded to 2,168 reports of animal neglect and cruelty. While our Humane Officers serve Ada County, our shelter staff supports sheriffs and city police in surrounding communities when requested, and we are available to assist. At just four months old, little Nona had already endured more than most dogs ever will. She arrived underweight, with fractured ribs, a lung injury, a broken jaw, and a severe skin infection. Our veterinary team carefully evaluated whether her skin condition stemmed from trauma or another underlying cause—and immediately got to work. Learn more…
Sashimi’s journey to a second chance started far from here. Transferred from a shelter without the resources to meet her needs, she arrived in search of life-saving, life-changing orthopedic surgery. Every step was difficult—her medial patellar luxation made even the simplest movements painful—but she never stopped pushing forward. At our Shelter Medical Center, she was given that chance. Her surgery was a success, and with time, patience, and care, her future became bright. Day by day, the cat who once struggled to move grew stronger, more comfortable, and more confident. Learn more…
Teeny-tiny Bluey came to our Shelter Medical Center as a very young kitten. She was transferred from another local rescue, in need of life-saving—and life-changing—care. At just a young age, she was diagnosed with a congenital condition called pectus excavatum, where the sternum is sunken inward. This can limit lung capacity and shift the heart out of its normal position. Over the course of 3–4 weeks, our team worked to gently correct the deformity using a splint. While her chest may not be perfectly typical, we were able to stabilize the condition and prevent it from worsening as she grew. Watch video…
Margot’s story began when she arrived at our Shelter Medical Center as an injured stray with a fractured left femur. After undergoing surgery and receiving the care she needed, she healed beautifully—and wasted no time finding her new beginning, getting adopted just one day after hitting the adoption floor. Learn more…
Noodles came to us as a transfer from West Valley about a month ago. He was suffering from a traumatic femur fracture that had healed on its own without treatment, leaving him with a poorly functioning deformity—known as a malunion. Our veterinary team stepped in to correct it, surgically restoring a more normal alignment by carefully cutting and stabilizing the bone with metal implants. After spending time healing in a foster home, Noodles has officially been cleared for adoption and made his debut on the adoption floor today! Learn more…
10-month-old Sunni came to our Veterinary Medical Center with a fractured femur in need of urgent care. Thanks to a successful surgery, she was soon on the road to recovery and able to return home to the family who loves her. Her family shared: “Sunni’s financial assistance helped us so much. My spouse is very sick and unable to work, so two people on disability couldn’t afford her surgery outright. Learn more…
We are sure this beautiful golden retriever is missing their owner! He has been hit by a car and is in critical condition. Our Shelter Veterinary Clinic has provided pain meds and stabilized his care, but we are sure his owners will want to hospitalize him and take over care! Watch video…
Dandelion came to us as a stray and stayed with us for almost 3.5 months, spending time in foster care while she healed and learned how to feel safe again. She was born with a cleft in the soft palate of her mouth. The opening allowed food to pass into her nasal cavity, leading to chronic nasal discharge. She underwent surgery to successfully close the defect and improve her comfort and quality of life. Dandelion also had a significant history of chronic ear disease, including a middle-ear polyp that extended toward the back of her throat. To treat this, she underwent bilateral ventral bulla osteotomies (VBOs), allowing thorough access to the middle ear for cleaning and flushing. Learn more…
Transferred from another local shelter in need of life-saving, life-changing care, Cleo underwent a double enucleation to remove both blind eyes due to severe, painful glaucoma. Now free from that pain, she’s ready to experience the world in a whole new way. Blind dogs don’t see any less love—they just feel it more deeply, and with a little extra TLC, Cleo will thrive and bring so much joy in return. We recommend checking out Blind Dog Rescue Alliance as a helpful resource for welcoming a blind dog into your home. Learn more…
This scruffy-haired little guy was found under a car. His eyes looked hopeful and trusting, but all his frail, shaking body could muster was a hesitant wag of his tail. Poor Merlyn was terrified. He was hurting, too. Somewhere along his journey as a lonely stray, Merlyn suffered a fracture that left him in rough shape. Unfortunately, the shelter that found him didn’t have the resources to help. He needed medicine, surgery, and time to heal. Watch video…
Ten-year-old Titan came to our Shelter Medical Center from another rescue in urgent need of help. He had a deep puncture wound on his right side where muscle was visible through the opening. Our medical team carefully cleaned and flushed the wound, then performed surgery to repair the damaged tissue and close it. Thankfully, he healed beautifully without any complications. Learn more…
Melody came to our Veterinary Medical Center after being attacked by a dog, suffering a broken jaw. It was a traumatic situation—but thanks to dedicated care, she’s made an incredible recovery. Her mom shared this heartfelt update:
“I want to sincerely thank the Humane Society for the incredible care and support they gave my cat after she was attacked by a dog. During such a scary and difficult time, your team helped her heal and recover back to her full potential…” Learn more…
Pippa came to our Shelter Medical Center in early February from an under-sourced shelter out of state because she needed life-saving surgery. She had a serious leg injury—a fracture in her right femur—that was repaired with surgery using a plate and screws. While recovering, she was also diagnosed with an ear condition called pinna vasculitis. This condition can be tricky to manage and may need ongoing treatment with ointments, creams, or sometimes medication. Learn more…
NeNe came to our Veterinary Medical Center for surgery after her family noticed a tumor that had been there for some time suddenly begin to grow quickly. As it increased in size, it started to impact her mobility—so they did exactly the right thing and brought her in to be evaluated. Our vets performed surgery to remove the large tumor and smaller one next to it. Learn more…
Ramen’s story began in late January, when one of our Humane Officers brought him to the shelter. At 8 years old, he was in heartbreaking condition. Weighing just 7 pounds, Ramen was painfully thin and suffering from severe muscle wasting. His fragile body told a story of trauma—his head, ears, and body bore injuries consistent with a possible dog attack. Learn more…
Little Sunshine was barely eight weeks old when she was transferred into our care, fragile in a way that went far beyond her size. She had been diagnosed with an intrahepatic liver shunt—a rare and life-threatening congenital condition where blood bypasses the liver instead of being filtered. Toxins built up in her tiny body, and after she ate, she would stumble and fall, as if she were intoxicated. Without intervention, this condition is often fatal. Watch video…
This sweet girl, Angel, needed urgent surgery at our Veterinary Medical Center for an ear hematoma—but what is that? An ear hematoma is when blood collects between the skin and cartilage of the ear flap, often from head shaking or scratching due to irritation like ear infections or allergies. It causes swelling and can be painful. Surgery involves draining the blood and placing sutures to keep the ear layers together while it heals, preventing it from refilling and reducing scarring. Learn more…
Isadora was found by a good Samaritan and brought to West Vet before being transferred to our Shelter Medical Center, where she underwent surgery to repair a fractured right front leg. Afterward, she headed to a foster home to rest and recover before heading to the adoption floor, but she never made it that far… because her fosters fell completely in love and decided to adopt her! Learn more…
Mr. Tails came to our Veterinary Medical Center after sustaining facial injuries of an unknown cause. He had abrasions, swelling to his face, drainage from his mouth, nasal congestion, and was having trouble drinking water. When he bent down to eat or drink, his congestion became even worse. Our veterinary team discovered that the two halves of his lower jaw had separated. Injuries like this can happen from things such as vehicular accidents. Learn more…
Mama came to IHS from a small Idaho shelter in need of medical intervention. Our team performed a femoral head ostectomy (FHO) on her right hip to relieve pain and improve her mobility. This procedure removes the “ball” of the hip, allowing a false joint made of scar tissue to form so she can move more comfortably. She then moved into our WISKR foster program to heal and continue her rehab. While there, we also treated her for an upper respiratory infection. Learn more…
Meet Axel! This sweet boy has spent some time in foster while he healed from a fracture repair. This is what his foster has to say about him: Axel is the sweetest boy! He’s got a lot of energy and loves to play but is just as happy to cuddle and relax! He loves taking his toys out to the yard and has no problem entertaining himself out there, especially with his tennis ball or a bone. Learn more…
Eight-year-old Khaza came to our Veterinary Medical Center with six masses that needed surgical removal. Our veterinary team successfully removed them and placed a drain at the largest surgical site to support proper healing. Over the following weeks, Khaza returned for several follow-up visits for rechecks, as well as suture, staple, and drain removal. With each visit, he continued to improve—and now he’s back to feeling like himself again. Learn more…
Twinkle was transferred to our Shelter Medical Center from another local shelter at the beginning of December after arriving there with a fractured right tibia. Our veterinary team repaired the injury with surgery and implants, and once she was stable, she headed to a foster home to rest, heal, and soak up all the love she deserved. Learn more…
We first learned about their situation after receiving a troubling call from a concerned neighbor in Boise. The caller reported a small terrier tethered tightly to a fence with a short lead, forced to stand in accumulated waste. His coat was severely matted, and prolonged exposure to urine had caused painful scalding on his skin. Nearby, two additional dogs — Chihuahua mixes — were confined to a crate. They, too, were soaked in urine, their coats heavily matted and soiled with feces. The conditions described were not momentary lapses in care, but sustained neglect. Each of them was underweight … and their spirits seemed broken. Learn more…
Kenny arrived at our Shelter Medical Center as a stray at the beginning of February in pretty rough shape. He had discharge from his eyes and nose and was showing signs of balance problems. He had a noticeable head tilt to the left and would often walk in circles that direction, stumbling and appearing unsteady when he moved. Our veterinary team discovered he had an upper respiratory infection as well as a painful eyelid condition called entropion, where the eyelid rolls inward and irritates the eye. Poor Kenny also had an inflammatory polyp in his left ear that was affecting his balance. Watch video…
Bruno tore his ACL and needed a complex surgical procedure to help him heal. But his family didn’t have the resources to cover the surgery on their own. They thought they had nowhere to turn to ensure Bruno received the care he needed. Thankfully, their family qualified for the Idaho Humane Society’s Easy Fund — a special endowment that helps dogs in urgent need of medical care. Learn more…
Maeve arrived at our Shelter Medical Center as a stray showing signs of head trauma. Her pupils were different sizes and her face was swollen. During her spay surgery, our team also removed her upper left canine, which had been fractured. She had a small wound on her lip near that tooth—likely from the same incident that caused her head injury. Thanks to the attentive care she received, Maeve has made a full recovery… Learn more…
When Sylvester arrived from a small rural Idaho community in late January, he was in very poor condition. He was thin and experiencing significant muscle wasting due to severe dental disease that had clearly been causing him pain for some time. During his exam, our veterinary team also detected a heart murmur and mild anemia. To relieve his pain, Sylvester underwent a dental procedure where 17 teeth—many broken down to the roots—had to be removed. Learn more…
Sandman was transferred to IHS from another shelter, so we don’t know much about his past. He is a calm, sweet boy who can’t wait to meet his new best friends! We think he would love a cozy home where he can settle down and get lots of snuggles. Sandman does have a grade 4 out of 6 heart murmur and will need regular check-ups at the vet to monitor his heart. If you’re ready to open your heart and home to a sweet guy like Sandman… Learn more…
At just two months old, Stormie has already overcome more than most dogs ever will. She was transferred to IHS from Duck Valley after suffering a fracture near the top of her shinbone and another fracture in her thighbone. On top of that, she also needed an umbilical hernia repair. Thankfully, all of her surgeries went smoothly, and then she joined a foster home for a few weeks of strict cage rest, healing, and soaking up all the love. Learn more…
This handsome 15-year-old senior is Murphy, and he is looking for a soft place to spend his golden days. He is a friendly, cuddly, and calm companion. Murphy is on a prescription kidney diet (adopters will go home with about a month’s worth of food) and he has a grade 4 heart murmur that will need regular veterinary monitoring. What he needs most, though, is someone willing to open their heart to a senior who deserves comfort, stability, and love. Watch video…
When Fergie arrived, she was suffering from a painful, advanced infection in her left ear, along with eye irritation that required medical treatment. To give her the best chance at healing, we placed Fergie in a loving foster home where she could rest comfortably while receiving daily medications and ongoing care. Her ear infection proved to be stubborn and required several weeks of consistent treatment and follow-up, but we’re happy to share that it has fully resolved. She was also diagnosed with dry eye, which is now well managed with simple, easy-to-administer medicated eye drops. Read more…
This sweet girl came in as a stray, so we don’t know much about her history. She had a full mouth dental, meaning all her teeth were pulled, but it is now fully healed. Tori would love a cozy home where she can relax, enjoy quiet companionship, and receive plenty of love at her own pace. Since her history with other animals is unknown, slow introductions are recommended. Read more…
Jordan arrived scared, injured, and only four months old. Transferred from an underserved community, this poodle puppy was suffering from a painful radius/ulna fracture that made even simple movement difficult. Without specialized veterinary care, his future was uncertain. Read more…
At 12 years old, Getts found himself as a stray, spending his golden years without a place to call home. When he arrived at our Shelter Medical Center, he had a blind and painful eye that needed to be removed so he could finally live pain-free and comfortably. Getts has also been diagnosed with a cataract in his remaining eye, which means he is likely visually impaired. But don’t let that fool you — this old man is nothing but a sweet, gentle soul who just wants a soft bed, a warm home, and someone to love him through his retirement years. Learn more…
Shilo was diagnosed with allergies at our Shelter Medical Center after coming in with itchy, irritated skin and some hair loss. With the help of oral, ear, and topical medications — plus antibiotics and baths— her skin is now comfortable and stable. Her coat looks great, with just a few small areas of thinning hair that continue to improve. Shilo will need to stay on Apoquel, an anti-itch medication that manages the symptoms of allergies. Learn more…
Little Fynn (a whopping 6 pounds) was transferred to our Shelter Medical Center from another clinic at the end of November, needing life-saving and life-changing care. He underwent surgery on his right hip called a femoral head ostectomy (FHO). This procedure was necessary because his hip joint was diseased and painful. After surgery, Fynn went to a foster home to heal and complete his rehabilitation.
During his time in foster, his mom realized there was no way she could let him go. So once he was cleared for adoption, she made him an official family member… Read more…
Meet Goose! This handsome guy came to us after being surrendered by his previous owners, who were no longer able to manage some ongoing medical and behavioral challenges. Goose has been diagnosed with FIC, a condition that requires him to stay on a prescription diet. Adopters will go home with about a month’s supply of his food, but it’s important to note that this diet is more expensive than others (around $65 a month). With the right care and consistency, Goose can continue to feel his best and thrive. Goose can be a little shy when first settling into a new environment, but with patience and time, his fun-loving personality really shines. Watch video…
Cobbler was transferred to our Shelter Medical Center at the beginning of December after suffering a serious injury to his left front paw and carpus (wrist area). He arrived with deep lacerations that exposed bone and tendon, along with multiple bite wounds, and he was unable to stand at the time. His injuries included significant soft-tissue damage and fractures to the small bones in his paw. Cobbler required weeks of careful medical treatment, including frequent bandage changes, and spent time in a loving foster home while he healed. Thanks to all that care, he’s made great progress and is now ready to put his paws down in a forever home of his own. Read more…
Lily came to our Shelter Medical Center in early December. We diagnosed her with hypothyroidism, and she’s now on daily thyroid medication (levothyroxine). Lily also had two mammary masses, which were removed during her spay surgery. Thankfully, lab results confirmed both were benign! In addition, she had eye irritation and discharge. We saw great results and improvement with treatment. These changes are suspected to be related to her hypothyroidism and may continue to improve with ongoing medication, though future eye irritation is possible. Read more…
Rain needed extra-special care. We welcomed her from a rescue that didn’t have the medical or financial resources to treat her chronically injured foot. Here’s how the rescue described her heartbreaking beginning: “When a volunteer went to pick her up, she called me crying and told me the foot looked like it was dangling by skin and was severely infected. She said that the injury looked old and that even though the dog must be in extreme pain and was visibly starving… all she wanted to do was cuddle up right next to the volunteer. After her call, I immediately contacted the Idaho Humane Society, as I thought the leg might have to be amputated. They jumped right in and had us drop her off.” Watch video…
Bullwinkle J. Moose arrived at our Shelter Medical Center as a stray in mid-November, in urgent need of medical care. He had a severe injury to his right hind leg that required extensive wound management and surgery. He underwent a femoral head ostectomy (FHO) on his right hip due to a hip luxation and fracture. In addition to his hip injury, Bullwinkle also had a large wound on his right hind leg that required repeated sedation, frequent bandage changes, and a long healing process. Learn more…
Meet Dakota! After this beautiful girl came in as a surrender, she underwent a TPLO surgery that she has since been recovered from. Dakota previously lived with kids and showed friendly behavior towards other animals. She frequently visited dog parks and enjoys playing with toys in her free time while hanging out with her people. Dakota knows several commands and is also crate-trained. If this wonderful lady sounds interesting to you come in and meet with her today! Learn more…
Axel is a sweet young pup came to us as a transfer from West Valley and is estimated to be just under a year old. He recently had surgery to repair a broken front leg and is now on the road to recovery. Right now, the kennel environment isn’t ideal for him. He’s having a hard time settling and continues to jump, which puts stress on his newly repaired leg. Learn more…
This little nugget is Tiny Tim—and true to his name, he weighs just 13 pounds. When he arrived as a stray at our Shelter Medical Center, he had a large, full-thickness wound along the left side of his upper chest. Our medical team clipped and cleaned the area, debrided the wound edges, and placed a tie-over bandage to help bring the skin together for possible closure. A few weeks and a handful of bandages changes later, we were able to close up the wound, and Tiny Tim went to a foster home to soak up some TLC. Learn more…
This cutie is Luna. She came to our Veterinary Medical Center needing emergency surgery for an intestinal obstruction. Because of our financial assistance options, she was referred to us from another clinic so that her owner’s could afford this life-saving surgery. Our veterinary team performed an enterotomy to remove the blockage. During surgery, about 12 inches of her small intestine appeared red and irritated, and just beyond that area, a soft blockage about 1 inch long was found. We were able to remove the obstruction and get her on the road to recovery. Learn more…
Moomoo is pure sweetness in a tiny, resilient package. Born with hip luxation and painful degenerative changes, Moomoo needed surgery that her original shelter couldn’t provide. We were able to make room for her here in Boise, and she’s already showing everyone just how gentle and loving she is. Watch video…
Frank was a young kitten when he came to our Shelter Medical Center as a stray with a severe injury to his lower jaw and chin. He underwent surgery to repair a degloving injury to the front of his lower jaw. During the procedure, damaged tissue and bone were carefully cleaned, several baby teeth and one adult tooth bud were removed, and his jaw was stabilized with internal sutures. Learn more…
Kiwi came to our Shelter Medical Center as a stray in November with multiple medical challenges. She arrived with a large amount of debris and foreign material in her stomach, which was surgically removed through a gastrotomy. She recovered well with no post-op complications. Kiwi also suffered from anemia, and follow-up bloodwork shows her anemia has fully resolved after treatment for a suspected Mycoplasma infection. She also had subcutaneous emphysema—air trapped under the skin—likely related to trauma, which has since completely resolved. Learn more…
Lola’s journey began when she arrived at the Idaho Humane Society from another shelter that lacked the resources to treat her severe hip malformation. Without intervention, she would have faced a lifetime of pain. Our veterinary team determined that surgery was her best chance at a comfortable, mobile future, and Lola underwent an FHO (femoral head and neck ostectomy-hip) along with surgery to correct a medial patellar luxation (knee). Learn more…
Sweet Kiara’s life took an unexpected turn when she was just 2 months old. After taking quite the tumble, this tiny pup was rushed to a local veterinarian, where she received a splint and the immediate care she needed. Because her injuries required more advanced treatment, she was referred to our Veterinary Medical Center, where we’re proud to offer additional financial assistance options to help pets get the care they deserve. Learn more…