Tiny Timmy’s appeal supported by new celebrity pals.
The story of Timmy the Chihuahua who needs vital surgery pulled at the heartstrings of kind supporters as well as a host of celebrities.
The RSPCA has launched a fundraising appeal [video] for a Chihuahua who suffers from ‘floating kneecaps’ and needs surgery to fix his painful bow-legged walk.
Timmy was diagnosed with Luxated Patella, also known as floating kneecaps, which means that his knees dislocate leading to lameness and pain.
The six-month-old Chihuahua was rescued by the RSPCA in March from a home in Surrey where there were 37 other Chihuahua and Chihuahua-crosses living under one roof.
With just two weeks left before his surgery and more than half of the target amount yet to be raised, staff at the centre are desperately appealing for vital funds for Timmy’s operation and aftercare. So far kind supporters have donated over £800 towards the £2,000 target.
Timmy has also gained a host of celeb pals in TV presenter Matt Johnson who visited him at RSPCA Millbrook Animal Centre in Surrey in August. Pictured with the adorable pup, Matt Johnson also posted about Timmy’s story on his Instagram and Twitter accounts and asked followers to kindly support Timmy in any way they can.
The tiny Chihuahua who will undergo surgery in a couple of weeks has also been making friends with TOWIE’s Pete Wicks, Chloe Meadows and Courtney Green at an awards evening to celebrate amazing animals and the people who help them.
Springwatch presenter Gillian Burke also fell in love with Timmy, as well as Great British Bake Off winner Candice Brown, dog trainer and TV presenter Victoria Stilwell and actress and former Love Island winner Amber Davies.
They met Timmy at the Animal Hero Awards held in London this month with Candice and her Pomeranian Sybil taking a particular liking to the tiny Chihuahua in-need of vital surgery.
Liz Wood, Timmy’s fosterer and deputy manager at RSPCA Millbrook said: “We are so grateful to everyone who has donated so far. It is just fantastic to have support from all the celebrities who have met Timmy recently and all the kind animal lovers who have donated to help fund Timmy’s surgery and care. Now we desperately need to raise the rest of the funds.
“Timmy is so full of life and he’s such a character. He is a very excitable dog and loves spending time with his best friend, fellow Chihuahua Buttercup. He’s a real trooper and just gets on with things, this is partly down to his sunny disposition but also because he has never known anything different. Even when he was tiny we quickly realised he couldn’t walk like the other dogs he came in with. He tries not to let it hold him back but without surgery the pain will worsen. This surgery will give Timmy a new lease of life and a chance to be a normal, healthy and happy puppy.”
Timmy will undergo surgery in a couple of weeks and is expected to take six weeks to recover including three weeks of cage-rest. The Chihuahua will also take part in physiotherapy to build up his muscles after treatment. .
Luxated Patella is usually apparent in the first two years of a dog’s life and symptoms can include occasional limping, an intermittent skip in the gait, sudden loss of support on the limb and an abnormal sitting posture with the knee placed outwards. It is usually a genetic malformation but can also be caused as a result of trauma. It is common in chihuahuas but a variety of dog breeds are also prone to the condition, especially smaller breeds such as the Yorkshire terrier and pomeranians.
To help fund Timmy’s surgery and care, please visit
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/rspca-timmysappeal