Local Animal Rescue Saves Beagle and Then Raises Money for Her Surgery to Walk

Philadelphia, PA, February 19, 2012 --(PR.com)-- During tough economic times, philanthropic giving plummets. One lucky dog named Stella hasn’t had her cause hindered by the economy. Stella was born with a medical disorder called Bi-Lateral Patellar Luxation, her kneecaps are misplaced on her legs and she cannot walk properly. Operation Ava, a Northern Liberties, Philadelphia no-kill animal rescue saved Stella from an overburdened shelter in the South-where she faced the possibility of euthanasia. The rescue quickly realized she needed surgery and launched a campaign to raise money to help Stella get the surgery she needs and walk confidently into her new life. Operation Ava hopes that after the beagle puppy’s 6-week recovery period, Stella will be adopted.

Stella has become a local celebrity. The surgery date has been tentatively scheduled for February 29th, 2012. Everyone who meets Stella is infected by her upbeat and playful personality. Operation Ava is still raising money for Stella’s post-surgical care as well as for other needy animals. Stella’s full story has been chronicled in a video to help educate people on her story and spread the word about the local non-profit that new Stella was special, http://youtu.be/gsOTTLg2i5A. To donate to Stella’s care and to help other animals in need please go to www.operationava.org and click the donate tab or send checks to the Save-A-Life Center, located at 858 N. 3rd Street, Philadelphia PA 19320.

Operation Ava began when then 9-year old Ava and 12-year old Lexie Gutierrez, both caring girls who have a passion for helping sick and homeless animals decided to make a difference. In July 2009, they visited a local animal shelter and were touched by the large number of sick, homeless and unwanted animals at the shelter. This visit opened their eyes to the growing reality of our times-millions of animals are in need of help and many never get it. One day after Christmas in 2011, Operation Ava reached a milestone - 1,000 adoptions.

Operation Ava’s mission is to provide life saving rescue and medical assistance for dogs and cats and the families that care for them. The rescue has three primary goals: 1. to provide foster, rescue and adoption services through their Save-A-Life program, 2. To help less fortunate families afford the necessary medical care for their sick pets and 3. To educate kids of all ages on the issues facing homeless, abused and neglected dogs and cats.

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