Couple set up fundraiser after facing £23k vet bill in fight to save puppy litter from hepatitis
A Croydon couple have set up a fundraiser as they try to save a litter of puppies from a devastating outbreak of hepatitis.
Adam Leake, 34, and his partner Georgian Florea, 25, from Croydon, have launched a GoFundMe campaign after they were left with almost £23,000 in veterinary expenses while fighting to save their beloved Labradors.
Mr Leake said: “We knew we had to do the right thing for the animals, because once you’re invested and you care for them, you just have to keep going.”
In March, Adam and Georgian’s Labradors, Emma and Oliver, welcomed a litter of six puppies.
But soon one of the puppies, Chartreuse, fell ill.
Despite immediate medical attention, Chartreuse died from what was suspected to be infectious hepatitis, a highly aggressive viral infection.
Desperate to save the remaining five pups, the couple rushed the litter to Streatham Hill Vets in Sternhold Avenue, Streatham Hill, for treatment.
Unfortunately, they lost another puppy, Solstice, to the same infection soon after.
Quick action and medical care ensured that the remaining four puppies have fully recovered, Mr Leake said.
But the couple are now struggling to cope with the financial burden of the vet bills, which included several days of intensive treatments and overnight stays.
Mr Leake and Mr Florea expressed “immense gratitude” to the staff at Streatham Hill Vets, who provided round-the-clock care for the puppies.
They also emphasised the importance of early vaccination and insurance for pets, especially for those breeding dogs.
Mr Leake said: “Our puppies probably got it so early that they weren’t vaccinated yet.
“You can vaccinate your dogs from four weeks old.”
To support Mr Leake and Mr Florea in covering their vet expenses, donations can be made through their GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-save-our-puppies-urgent-vet-bills?cdn-cache=0
Pictured top: Adam Leake and Georgian Florea with their Labradors ,Emma and Oliver (Picture: Adam Leake)