Her Injuries Are too Horrific to Show

We see a lot of horrific injuries in rescue. After 10+ years and thousands of animals, this is one of the worst we’ve ever seen.

WARNING: Her injuries are so severe that we can’t even use the photos as the cover images for this post because they are too graphic.

Another urgent call.

Another dog in desperate need.

Another life depending on people willing to say, “We’ll help.”

We received an emergency call from our friends at Bradford County Animal Services about a badly injured dog who desperately needed medical care.

When we saw her wounds, we were stunned.

Much of her back is one massive open wound.

According to her owner, she ran off for four days. When she returned home, she had an injury on her back. By the following morning, the skin had completely opened.

We don’t know exactly what happened to Maia during those four days. We believe she was burned, but we have no idea why or how. The burn patterns look like hot liquid or caustic chemicals. What we do know is that she is now safe, and she will never have to face something like this alone again.

As soon as Tracy Collins reached out, we immediately called Palm Valley Veterinary Center.

Even though Dr. Mack wasn’t working that day, his response was simple:

“Bring her in.”

On a Friday evening, he came in specifically to help Maia.

He carefully shaved the surrounding hair, thoroughly cleaned and debrided her wounds, clipped away damaged tissue, started aggressive antibiotics and pain medication, and immediately began hyperbaric oxygen therapy to give her the best possible chance to heal.

This sweet girl has a very long road ahead.

For now, she will remain medically boarded while we work with Dr. Mack and his team to develop the best treatment plan. Once she’s stable enough, she’ll need a dedicated foster home where she can continue healing.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who jumped into action.

Thank you, Tracy Collins, for coordinating everything so quickly.

Thank you to Renee for dropping everything to transport Maia from the shelter to Palm Valley.

And as always, thank you to Dr. Mack, Rena, Bianca, and the entire team at Palm Valley Veterinary Center for once again opening your doors—and your hearts—to one of our most urgent cases. Dr. Mack was supposed to be off this weekend, but he has been in every day to care for her, and treat her with more hyperbaric therapy. As always, he goes above and beyond for our pups.

We’ve named her Maia.

Many of you remember Atlas and Lyra, the two puppies who survived after being poisoned with antifreeze and abandoned on a rural road. We wanted Maia’s name to continue that theme.

In Greek mythology, Atlas is the father of the Pleiades, Lyra is the neighboring constellation, and Maia is the star daughter who survived and thrived.

We’re praying Maia follows the same path as Atlas and Lyra—that despite everything she’s endured, she heals, grows stronger every day, and eventually finds the loving home she deserves.

Please keep Maia in your prayers.

If you’d like to help Maia and other urgent dogs like her, there is a donation link in the comments below. 𝗙𝗨𝗥 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺

Sick and injured animals need help fast. Every donation helps, but Monthly donors give us flexibility to respond immediately when there is an emergency. When there is a hoarding case or a hurricane, a dog with a gunshot wound or a cruelty case, we have to act quickly. We don't have time to run a fundraiser, and wait for those funds to get to us. Your monthly donation can help us save lives again and again. Learn more at: https://www.floridaurgentrescue.org/donatemonthly

To Donate: 

— Credit Card: www.floridaurgentrescue.org/donate

— Venmo: @FloridaUrgentRescue

— PayPal: floridaurgentrescue@gmail.com

— Mail: Florida Urgent Rescue

    7643 Gate Parkway #104-27

    Jacksonville, FL 32256

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Florida Urgent Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and is rated in the top 1/10th of 1% of all nonprofits nationwide. FUR earned a Four-Star Rating on Charity Navigator with a score of 100%, and a 2025 Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency by Guidestar. FUR is also rated as a Top Nonprofit on Great Nonprofits.