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Rescued from the streets in Lavaca and recipient of The Cannoli Fund's Cannolicare medical grant program, Sunny/Lucy enjoys her foster home

The Rags to Riches Story of a Stray Dog From the Streets of Lavaca

Rescued from the streets of Lavaca, San Antonio, and recipient of The Cannoli Fund's Cannolicare medical grant program, Lucy the former stray dog enjoys July 4 on a lake — *Sunny, now named Lucy, celebrated the fourth of July on a lake.*

Rescued from the streets of Lavaca, San Antonio, and recipient of The Cannoli Fund's Cannolicare medical grant program, Lucy the former stray dog relaxes at her foster home — *Now clean, vetted, spayed, and fed, the former stray relaxes in her foster home.*

In April, a sweet female dog showed up behind the house of a serial dog-rescuer in the Lavaca neighborhood. Despite being tired, hungry, thirsty, and with signs of a previous tail injury, the dog soon known as Sunny was very friendly.

A volunteer from The Cannoli Fund, hoping to find where Sunny belonged, scanned the stray for a microchip and found none. Then it became apparent that Sunny was in heat! Since The Cannoli Fund’s primary mission is to reduce the stray dog and cat population in our service area, we knew we needed to help. Sunny was quickly whisked to the vet, who estimated that she was four-and-a-half years old and had already given birth to at least one litter, most likely more. He also confirmed that Sunny was in the early stages of heat. Thankfully she tested negative for heartworm disease and was treated for a minor infection and hookworms thanks to our Cannolicare program, which provides grants for essential medical care. The cost of her spay surgery was covered by our spay/neuter reimbursement program. To keep her from ever being lost again, Sunny was microchipped and the chip registered.

After a brief stay in a foster home, Sunny was adopted by one of The Cannoli Fund’s supporters in the neighborhood, and renamed Lucy. Lucy now lives inside in a forever home where she is loved, cared for, and will no longer have to worry about raising more puppies. She goes for a run or walk twice daily, appreciates attention from both humans and other dogs, and is eagerly learning new things!

A real rags-to-riches story, Lucy was a stray on the streets in April and by the fourth of July she was boating on a lake with her new mom! For this dog, the story has a very happy ending.

Buy The Cannoli Fund’s Spay/Neuter Pets Fiesta 2015 medals now

UPDATE: 2015 SOLD OUT Get our 2016 cat and dog medals in our Fiesta Medal Shop!

The Cannoli Fund’s Fiesta 2015 medals are here! They can be purchased online at The Cannoli Fund’s Fiesta Medal Shop or purchase our fiesta medals via eBay.

Locally, you can find them at the King William Association’s office (note they have recently moved) at 122 Madison, at Pig Liquors at 712 S. St. Mary’s, The Villa Finale Carriage House at 401 King William, and at Lucy’s Doggie Daycare and Spa at 937 S. Laredo.

The Cannoli Fund will be selling medals at two Fiesta events: Pin Pandemonium at Fiesta! Fiesta! at Alamo Plaza on Thursday, April 16, 5 pm until dark, and at the Ilse’s Attic booth along King William Park during the King William Fair on Saturday, April 25, from 9 am until 6 pm. These medals are a limited edition.

The medals are made of metal and enamel, hang from a grosgrain ribbon, and have a pin back. The reverse of each medal features The Cannoli Fund’s “Big C” logo and our web address, thecannolifund.org.

Medals are $8 and all proceeds support the programs of The Cannoli Fund, am all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which works to improve the lives of cats and dogs in the King William and Lavaca neighborhoods of San Antonio.

Even though he only has 3 legs, Rocky doesn't let it slow him down. He is proud to be the 2015 dog model for The Cannoli Fund's Fiesta San Antonio medals.

Rocky: Dog model for The Cannoli Fund’s 2015 Fiesta medal

Rocky was found with a gun shot wound to his leg but through everything, remained sweet and loving to his rescuers. — *Rocky, shortly after he was found wandering Lavaca.*

MEDALS ARE HERE! Buy now in our Fiesta Medal Shop!

In the summer of 2014, a compassionate neighbor found an injured and limping pit bull-type dog wandering on the edge of the Lavaca neighborhood. Later named Rocky, the dog had multiple cuts and abrasions and a severely injured front leg. Despite his obvious pain, this sweet and friendly boy allowed his rescuer to bathe him and tend to his wounds. She called The Cannoli Fund volunteer who checked for a chip with our microchip scanner. Not surprisingly, Rocky wasn’t chipped or neutered. Because he was in urgent need of medical attention, Rocky’s rescuer immediately took him to the vet.

Because of the nature of Rocky’s multiple bite wounds and scratches, the vet believed he had been used as a bait dog for illegal dog fighting. The dog had also been shot in the left shoulder, causing multiple bones to shatter. The vet determined that amputation of the left leg was the only option, due to high risk of infection. Thanks to our Cannolicare program, and the many others who helped with his medical expenses and rehabilitation, Rocky received the treatment he needed. Despite what must have been multiple traumatic experiences and the pain he was in, Rocky remained calm and affectionate to his human rescuers.

Rocky recovered and found a wonderful permanent home with a caring family. Despite the former abuse at the hands of humans, Rocky’s forever family reports that he is an affectionate dog who loves everyone he meets, people and dogs alike!

Order Rocky’s 2015 Fiesta medal online at The Cannoli Fund’s fiesta medal shop now! Medals will also be for sale at the King William Association office, at Pig Liquors on S. St. Mary’s, at Villa Finale Museum and Gardens on King William Street, and at Lucy’s Doggy Daycare and Spa’s downtown location, beginning in early April. Both our cat and dog fiesta medals will also be for sale at Pin Pandemonium at Fiesta Fiesta at the Alamo, Thursday, April 16, 5 pm until dark, and at the Ilse’s Attic booth at the King William Fair on April 25, 9 am – 6 pm.

All proceeds from medal sales benefit The Cannoli Fund’s numerous programs for cats and dogs living in the King William and Lavaca neighborhoods. The Cannoli Fund (tax ID 45-2476260) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Tar-Zhay the orange tabby cat is The Cannoli Fund's 2015 Fiesta San Antonio Medal model

Tar-Zhay: Cat model for The Cannoli Fund’s Fiesta 2015 medal

Tar-Zhay, a former stray cat living in King William, was neutered and vaccinated thanks to the Cannoli Fund and is now the cat model for the Fund's 2015 Fiesta San Antonio medal. — *Tar-Zhay in 2011, a few months after being neutered and vetted by The Cannoli Fund.*

Tar-Zhay the cat was the beneficiary of urgent medical care for a bad case of mange. He received treatment thanks to the Cannolicare program of The Cannoli Fund for Dogs and Cats. — *When Tar-Zhay reappeared at his feral colony in early 2014, he was suffering from a bad case of mange.*

Tar-Zhay the cat in a metal porch chair — *Now free of mange, well fed, and content, Tar-Zhay relaxes on his porch.*

MEDALS ARE HERE! Buy now in our Fiesta Medal Shop!

Tar-Zhay, an orange tabby named for the large target-like patterns on his coat, was a male tom cat who roamed a wide territory in lower King William. With a distinctive slightly deformed left ear, Tar-Zhay appeared to have been born to a feral mother. The streets had not been kind to him. When he was spotted in the neighborhood, he frequently had scratches or wounds from fighting.

One day in 2011, Tar-Zhay’s life changed for the better. He and several other ferals were trapped, spayed or neutered, and returned to a small outdoor community cat colony. T-N-R, or Trap-Neuter-Return is considered the most effective way to control feral cat populations. Although Tar-Zhay was wary of people at first, regular feedings and neutering led him to change his mind quickly! He soon made himself at home on a lower King William porch, enjoying frequent opportunities to cuddle up in a warm lap and get some attention.

In late 2012, Tar-Zhay disappeared! An extensive search, liberal sprinkling of potent catnip on his porch, and offers of tuna fish and other delicious treats did not bring him home. His family and community cat colony missed him greatly. After a few months his family decided that something must have happened to Tar-Zhay and that they would probably never see him again.

Then, in January of 2014, Tar-Zhay suddenly reappeared on his former porch! He looked terrible because of a bad case of mange. He immediately was taken to the vet who explained that the itching was so intense that Tar-Zhay had scratched himself to the point that he had lost fur on his head and neck and had developed open wounds. After an overall checkup and updated shots, the cat was put on a treatment plan for his mange. Tar-Zhay benefited from The Cannoli Fund’s Cannolicare program, which provides up to $300 towards crucial medical care for pets in our King William and Lavaca service area.

Tar-Zhay now spends his time napping in his favorite box or chair, eating all he can, and enjoying the company of the other cats in his colony.

Order Tar-Zhay’s Fiesta 2015 medal online at The Cannoli Fund’s fiesta medal shop now! Medals will also be for sale at the King William Association office, at Pig Liquors on S. St. Mary’s, Villa Finale Museum and Gardens on King William Street, and at Lucy’s Doggy Daycare and Spa’s downtown location, beginning in early April. Both our cat and dog medals will also be for sale at Pin Pandemonium at Fiesta Fiesta at the Alamo, Thursday, April 16, 5 pm until dark, and at the Ilse’s Attic booth at the King William Fair on Saturday, April 25, 9 am – 6 pm.

Frank the dog safe and happy in his forever home

The story of Frank: A former Southtown stray dog [video]

Frank the former stray dog from the streets of King William is one of The Cannoli Fund’s biggest successes of 2014. It took a team of volunteers, vets, two amazing fosters, the support of our 2014 Big Give San Antonio donors, Tejas Rescued Pet Adoptions, and eight months to get Frank where he is today…in his forever home. This one minute video tells Frank’s story from the day he was rescued from a life as a stray, through his treatment for heartworm disease and a tick and flea infestation, neuter, fosters, and the search for his ideal home. Enjoy!

The Cannoli Fund provided assistance to these puppies in order for them to be spayed and neutered and receive their shots.

A Milestone: The Cannoli Fund reaches 300+ animals helped to date

UPDATE 12/15/2014: 321 unduplicated animals have now received services from The Cannoli Fund!

We are happy to report that as of November 1, 2014, The Cannoli Fund, whose programs began in June 2011, has provided services to 302 unduplicated animals! Each of these animals lived or was rescued in the King William and Lavaca districts of San Antonio. The vast majority benefited from our spay/neuter reimbursement program or participated in our community cat carpool, in which a volunteer drives groups of feral cats to area low-cost clinics to be spayed or neutered. Many cats and dogs also received crucial medical care thanks, in part, to our Cannolicare program. These animals’ lives are not only greatly improved thanks to The Cannoli Fund, but they are also no longer able to reproduce and add more unwanted animals to our neighborhoods. This video showcases just a tiny fraction of the cats and dogs we’ve helped.

We couldn’t have done this without the support of The Cannoli Fund’s friends, neighbors, area businesses, board members, volunteers, and donors! Many thank yous from The Cannoli Fund and the cats and dogs served.