Chico

When we think about Chico’s long, challenging journey to recovery, we’re moved to tears. But today, we’re thrilled to announce that this sweet boy is healed. Even better, he’s found his forever family! Our team is ready to celebrate, but before we do, we want to take a moment to reflect on the obstacles this brave boy had to overcome to get to where he is today.

We still get chills thinking about those first terrifying moments. Chico, all four pounds of him, suddenly stopped nursing and began gasping for air. His tiny body trembled as he fought for every breath. We rushed him to the ER with our hearts racing, praying we weren’t too late. Chico was in critical condition, fighting a dangerous infection and inflammatory bronchopathy that filled his lungs with fluid and made each breath agony.

The next few days were some of the hardest we’ve ever lived through. X-rays revealed severe lung inflammation, his bloodwork showed infection, and his tiny cries told us how overwhelmed his body felt. Chico was placed on antibiotics, steroids, anti-inflammatories, pain relief, and constant monitoring. For days, we didn’t know if he would survive. We stood by his incubator, whispering encouragement, determined to fight for him as fiercely as he fought to stay alive.

This situation was bad, and we knew it. Our team put together an urgent fundraising campaign that we blasted to the CUDDLY community. We held our breath. Overnight, our rescue was flooded with donations. Gifts of medical supplies and food poured in. Our team was so relieved. Chico’s care had taken a devastating toll on our rescue’s resources, but the kindness of animal lovers everywhere had helped pull us back from the brink. You lifted us, you lifted Chico, and you made sure we could continue giving him the care he needed to heal fully.

Slowly—miraculously—things began to change. Chico stabilized. Then came the news that Chico was well enough to come home from the hospital. He wasn’t out of the woods yet, not even close, but he’d survived the very worst. At night, he went home with our vet for close monitoring, medication every few hours, and careful feedings. During the day, he spent time at the sanctuary with Mama Clara and his siblings, rebuilding the life that illness had tried so hard to steal from him.

And then came the moment we had dreamed of since the day we carried him into the ER. Our sweet Chico was finally strong enough for vaccines, healthy enough to run and play, and ready—truly ready—for a forever family. One family had been watching his journey from the moment he was discharged from the hospital. They visited, waited, and hoped for the day he would be cleared for adoption. When that day arrived, they opened their arms without hesitation.

Today, Chico is home. He has a loving mom, a wonderful human brother, two rescued senior dogs, and two rescued cats who have already accepted him as the new baby of the family. He is surrounded by love and more affection than he could ever imagine. And the best part is his new family are friends of our vet team, which means we will get updates, photos, videos—and the joy of watching him thrive for years to come. Chico’s story is the reason we rescue. It is the reason we fight. And it is the reason we are endlessly grateful to you. Thank you for saving him. Welcome home, Chico!