Winnie the Rottweiler has one shot at a second chance and a local nonprofit is taking it

Winnie the Rottweiler. Photo: Fetch Cares

The 1-year-old Rottweiler faces euthanasia unless she can get into a professional training program. Fetch Cares is raising funds to make that happen

PARK CITY — Winnie is 1 year old, affectionate with people, and running out of time. A local animal welfare organization is asking the community to help save her life.

The young Rottweiler needs two things to survive: a complex spinal surgery and a professional training program. Without both, she faces euthanasia. Fetch Cares is raising funds to make each possible, but the costs have grown significantly in recent days.

Winnie has already beaten the odds once. She has survived a broken leg and life-saving surgery for an intussusception, a serious intestinal condition. Now she faces her biggest challenge yet. A cyst near her spinal cord, combined with spina bifida, requires surgical intervention. Without it, she is at serious risk for meningitis.

The surgery recently became more complicated when a reviewing surgeon determined a neurologist must perform the procedure. The only neurologist in Utah is booked for months, meaning Winnie’s care team must now pursue out-of-state options.

 

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“This was unexpected and will significantly increase costs,” said Morgan Ketterer, who is coordinating Winnie’s care. “Because the only neurologist in the state is booked for months, we must now seek out-of-state care, which adds substantial travel expenses to the increased surgical costs.”

Beyond the surgery, Winnie will need behavioral training to prepare her for a permanent home. She is loving and gentle with people, but has not yet learned how to appropriately interact with other dogs. Fetch Cares has committed to covering the training program once she recovers.

What Winnie needs most right now is funding and a family willing to open their home to a dog with special needs and an extraordinary will to live.

“She has already overcome so much and she deserves to have a chance to succeed and live a happy life with a family,” Ketterer said.

Donations are being accepted at donorbox.org/fetch-cares-giving. Those interested in adopting Winnie or learning more about her needs can contact Morgan Ketterer at (435) 709-1527.