What is Buddy’s Fund at CARE?

Buddy’s Fund at CARE is one component of the not for profit Shiva’s Center for the Human-Animal Bond. Of the four components, The Buddy Fund is the medical fund set up to financially assist animals that are in need of, but cannot afford appropriate medical care.

With fluffy black fur, almond eyes, and innocence only a puppy could possess, Buddy and his forgiving nature drew her to him like an old friend. He was a lab-chow mix – solid black with a fuzzy, furry coat. He was brought to the University of Tennessee’s Veterinary Medical Hospital by a Good Samaritan after having been being kicked around at a local Friday night football game by a few cruel adolescents. When CARE Hospital’s Dr. Purvis met Buddy in his cage that weekend, he had abdominal pain and an injured spirit -- but something about the little guy drew her to him. It wasn’t long before the name on his cage was changed from “stray” to “Buddy Purvis.” As a surgical resident, he’d go to work with her and on off days they’d spend their time exploring – mostly moseying. She and Buddy became family. Throughout his life - they would travel the states, finish her critical care residency in Wisconsin (he loved the snow and the cold), and spend 12 wonderful years tending to each other’s spirit. In fact, he was best known for his moseying … he’d wander most anywhere – following his nose – greeting strangers and simply being happy to be alive. A far stretch from the experience of that Friday night football game.

Buddy would never know that kind of pain again. He had a family. Though, like many abandoned animals – he sat in cage in some hospital or shelter wondering his fate. As fate would have it – they were destined to be constant companions for the next 12 years. She lost him to cancer in 2000. He had surgery 4 months earlier for hemangiosarcoma – so she knew their days were limited. They lived and loved and hiked and swam a lot in those next few months. His last breath would be in her arms. She had always promised to see him through and as painful as his loss was – she knew he’d feel safest in her loving arms.

So, in honor of “the Buddy-Man” as he was so often called – we seek and offer funds for the Buddy’s of the world. Those who wonder their fate, who hurt and need care but have no human to sponsor their medical needs or promise them a tender home. Or to the loving family struggling to make ends meet yet desperate to provide their companion the care they need and deserve. Either way, needing funds or a home or both – Buddy and Shiva (who were family themselves) came together to heal humans who have come together to help heal the critters in Santa Barbara. We will always do so in their honor.

   Shiva, Dr. Deanna Purvis, and Buddy

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Buddy’s Fund at CARE – Program Information
(A subgroup of Shiva’s Center for the Human Animal Bond)

Shiva’s center was created approved by the Internal Revenue Service on January 11, 2006 as an independent Not-for-Profit 501 (c) 3 public Charitable Foundation for the purpose of providing assistance in the form of Grants to animal owners for the care and treatment of their pets needing specialty medical care. Buddy’s Fund at CARE’s primary purpose is to provide assistance in funding needed to pay for veterinary specialty treatment of pets whose owners cannot afford the total expenses of the treatment.  It may also be used to fund medical care for homeless animals brought in through the city and county animal control programs or through Good Samaritans.

Urgent and Emergency pet owners wanting and/or needing assistance need to complete an application for grant funding to the Foundation. Cases will be approved on established criteria for eligibility on an individual basis.  The Foundation intends to pay for all or a portion of the costs for veterinary procedures directly related to the prevention of cruelty to animals and the promotion of animal’s health and well-being where financial need for such assistance is demonstrated.  Funding is for urgent and emergency situations, as well as treatment for serious medical conditions such as on-going cancer treatment.

In no case will payment from the Foundation be made directly to the pet owner, nor will any such payment be made to provide services that are essentially services for the owner and do not benefit the animal involved, such as performing cosmetic surgery, offering boarding facilities, dental cleaning, spade or neuter, or assisting in breeding programs. Other areas in which grant funds may be utilized are in the creation and dissemination of educational materials to the general public regarding veterinary medicine and grants for research that future the development and treatment that will benefit animal health.

501(c) 3 Charitable Foundation

Donations may also be made as a memorial or an honorarium for individual(s) and/or companion animal(s).

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To donate to Buddy’s Fund at CARE, please click on the "donate" button above.