April 6, 2001--

Contact Information To contact the Pet Samaritan Fund, send email to: dmayo@zzlink.net

This is the story about a woman who's appealing for help from animal lovers.

For the past decade, Emily Dial has been rescuing and rehabilitating injured and abandoned pets. But she may not be able to to do that any more.

Keith McCord explains.

For the last ten years, Emily and several other volunteers have run an organization called "The Pet Samaritan Fund."

They take in animals in trouble, get them healthy, and then get them adopted.

One dog, for example, had its leg broken when a child repeatedly kicked it.

Emily Dial: "SOMETIMES PEOPLE HAVE ANIMALS THAT ARE HURT, AND THEY DON'T WANT TO INVEST IN GETTNG THEM WELL. SO WE GET THEM TO TURN THEM OVER TO US."

Over the years, Central Valley Veterinary Hospital has provided the necessary medical care and boarding at a discount.

The Pet Samaritan group has rescued thousands of animals over the years, primarily dogs and cats. Each case is dramatically different from the other.

"SHE WAS JUST ABANDONED.. JUST WAS FOUND LIKE A STRAY."

"HE WAS JUST RUNNING OUT IN THE LEHI AREA... WITH NOT A HOME."

One cat was under the hood of a car, keeping warm, when the driver started the engine!

"AND THIS ONE HAS BEEN IN AN OXYGEN CHAMBER, AND HAS FLUIDS.. HAS A CONCUSSION." "AND SHE'LL BE OK?" "YEAH, AND THAT'S WHAT'S SO WONDERFUL ABOUT HAVING THE MEDICAL PEOPLE TO HELP US."

KEITH MCCORD, REPORTING: "BUT LAST WEEK, EMILY RECEIVED SOME BAD NEWS. DOCTORS AT THE CLINIC ADVISED HER THAT THEY WOULD NO LONGER BE ABLE TO PROVIDE MEDICAL SERVICES, OR THE CAGES FOR THE ANIMALS."

The medical clinic--now owned by an out-of-state company-- has decided it's not economically feasible to deal with these animals.

So Emily, and all the animals, need a place to go.

DIAL:"WE DON'T WANT TO STOP WHAT WE'RE DOING. WE NEED TO GET OUT. WE NEED TO FIND FOSTERS TO HELP US HOUSE THEM, AND WE'D LIKE TO FIND A NEW HOME."

Through the years, The Pet Samaritan organization has received donations from various groups and individuals to help pay for the services. And there are many volunteer "pet foster parents," who take care of the animals after they're released from the clinic.

"BECAUSE WHAT WE'RE DOING IS GOOD. IT'S VERY REWARDING. WE'VE HELPED THOUSANDS OF ANIMALS, AND WE DON'T WANT TO STOP."

But Emily may have no choice, unless another vet clinic steps up to help.

Doctors at the clinic say animals that have had recent surgery will be given time to recuperate before they have to move.

If you want to contact the Pet Samaritan organization, send email to: dmayo@zzlink.net