February 2020 Charity Spotlight | The Mia Foundation
The viral Facebook photos captured the hearts of people around the world: the sweet friendship between Herman, a pigeon who cannot fly, and Lundy, an eight-week-old Chihuahua who cannot walk.
Together, they are showing the world that love has no boundaries. The unlikely pair are cuddle buddies residing at The Mia Foundation, a nonprofit rescue in Rochester, NY dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of animals with birth defects.
The viral Facebook photos captured the hearts of people around the world: the sweet friendship between Herman, a pigeon who cannot fly, and Lundy, an eight-week-old Chihuahua who cannot walk.
Together, they are showing the world that love has no boundaries. The unlikely pair are cuddle buddies residing at The Mia Foundation, a nonprofit rescue in Rochester, NY dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of animals with birth defects.
Herman suffers from a neurological disease and has been a resident at The Mia Foundation for over a year. He was rescued from a parking lot in New York after passers-by realized he was unable to fly. Experts deemed Herman’s condition untreatable and prepared to euthanize him, but Sue Rogers, founder of The Mia Foundation, stepped in to provide Herman a safe haven to live out his remaining years.
Lundy arrived at The Mia Foundation from North Carolina with a condition called “swimmer’s syndrome,” which makes him unable to move his hind legs. The only symptom of a swimmer puppy is his inability to stand or walk by the normal age of three weeks. The puppy will instead lay on his chest and paddle his feet as if attempting to swim in a turtle-like fashion.
Herman suffers from a neurological disease and has been a resident at The Mia Foundation for over a year. He was rescued from a parking lot in New York after passers-by realized he was unable to fly. Experts deemed Herman’s condition untreatable and prepared to euthanize him, but Sue Rogers, founder of The Mia Foundation, stepped in to provide Herman a safe haven to live out his remaining years.
Lundy arrived at The Mia Foundation from North Carolina with a condition called “swimmer’s syndrome,” which makes him unable to move his hind legs. The only symptom of a swimmer puppy is his inability to stand or walk by the normal age of three weeks. The puppy will instead lay on his chest and paddle his feet as if attempting to swim in a turtle-like fashion.
The Mia Foundation was named for and inspired by a tiny Chihuahua named Mia. In June 2010, Mia was born with a cleft palate. Doctors recommended euthanization, but Mia’s mom, Sue Rogers, rejected this idea and decided to give Mia a chance. Mia’s short life was an adventure, but she greeted each day with a smile, making friends all over the world through her Facebook page. Mia passed away from complications related to her cleft palate in 2012 - just a two months shy of her 2nd birthday. Mia continues to touch countless lives, and her legacy lives on through The Mia Foundation.
Since its inception in 2012, The Mia Foundation has helped over 500 animals born with debilitating birth defects including cleft palates, spinal deformities, missing limbs, heart conditions, and more. Through an extensive network of trained volunteers and foster parents, these special needs animals receive the love and individualized care they need and deserve.
Most animals that arrive at The Mia Foundation require extensive testing and/or expensive surgeries. Many are on special diets and must be tube-fed. This non-profit organization relies on donations to provide the best care possible. 4Knines is proud to help The Mia Foundation continue and further its mission, and we hope you will consider supporting their efforts as well.
