The Porter-Rinsky Foundation
is a non-profit organization created with one goal in mind, to save as many dogs and cats as possible from life-threatening situations.
Every single day, injuries and accidents occur putting dogs and cats’ lives at risk of being surrendered or even euthanized because their owners cannot afford the cost of the care required. Your financial support goes directly to help pets in need and because of donors like you, The Porter-Rinsky Foundation will be able to save some of these pet’s lives.
Porter
NOVEMBER 15, 2017 –
SEPTEMBER 11, 2021
Mav’s Story
Maverick “Mav”
Maverick, or Mav, is a seven month old Labrador Retriever from Central Iowa. His parents recently moved into a new rental home, and during the moving process, Mav accidentally ingested some rodent poison. Mav was admitted to IVS and subsequently Iowa State in critical care with internal bleeding in his abdomen and chest. It’s safe to say Mav was one sick puppy.
As Mav was moved from one emergency facility to another, the invoices began racking up. Mav’s owner was informed of the Porter-Rinsky Foundation and immediately applied for assistance. Within 48 hours, the grant was reviewed and approved to assist with Mav’s treatment.
Mav’s recovery is well underway. The doctors say it will be about two weeks to fully flush any poison from his system, but he is back to being the happy-go-lucky Lab he once was and is looking forward to adjusting to his new home.
Thank YOU for your contributions, without them, assistance for dogs and cats like Mav wouldn’t be possible!
Ragnar’s Story
Ragnar
On the night of June 4th, Ragnar—a beloved German Shepherd mix—was let outside for a quick potty break. Moments later, he began acting strangely—restless, whining, and appearing like he needed to vomit. His family checked his stomach and found it was firm and bloated. Knowing the signs, they immediately suspected GDV (gastric dilatation-volvulus), a life-threatening condition common in deep-chested dogs like Ragnar.
They rushed him to Blue Pearl Animal Hospital, where x-rays confirmed their fears. Unfortunately, Blue Pearl didn’t have a surgical team available that night, so the staff contacted several other hospitals to find someone who could help. Iowa State University was the only option.
Without hesitation, Ragnar’s family drove him to Ames. The team at ISU got him in right away and called in their surgical crew. Around 2am, Ragnar underwent emergency surgery. Thankfully, the surgery went smoothly, and the team shared that it had been caught very early—a rare but critical advantage with GDV cases.
By Friday evening, Ragnar was back home with his family. His recovery has been going incredibly well, and he’s getting stronger every day.
Cutter’s Story
Cutter
Cutter’s journey began when he was purchased from a backyard breeder in Arkansas and later sold to a breeder in Minnesota. Unfortunately, she quickly discovered she had been misled—the Embark testing results she was given were not his. After running her own DNA test, she learned Cutter carried genetic markers for both a blood and heart disorder. Wanting to be responsible, she chose not to breed him.
That’s when my breeder reached out, sharing that a young male pup needed a loving home. At just four months old, Cutter came into our lives. Two months later, we started taking him to Paws & Pints, where he immediately thrived—he absolutely loved it there!
When Cutter was 18 months old, everything changed. After a fun day of play at Paws, he woke up the next morning unable to stand. We rushed him to ISU, where exams and a CT scan revealed narrowing of his cervical discs. The diagnosis was Wobbler Syndrome—a devastating disease with no cure, no testing available, and a life expectancy of just 2–4 years. The cause is still uncertain, but genetics are suspected.
My husband and I are both retired and the cost of his CT scan was overwhelming, and we reached out to The PRF Foundation for help. We were beyond grateful for the financial support we received through the foundation. From that moment, we decided Cutter’s life would be about joy, not limits. With acupuncture, medication, and the care he deserves, he has been able to keep doing what he loves most—playing and being part of the Paws & Pints community.
He still has his slower days, but his spirit shines brighter than ever. We are so thankful to The Porter-Rinsky Foundation for helping Cutter live his best life.
Dolly’s Story
Dolly