TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - Cheerio and Fubu are best friends, and like to take walks around the lake behind Pima Animal Care Center.
The dogs are about 8-years-old, and were surrendered by their owner a month ago.
"They both spent a lot of time in the backyard, and had not really been seen by a vet," said Dr. Sarah Rios from PACC. "Cheerio came to us with bilateral cataracts in both eyes, and unfortunately had glaucoma which means he had high pressure in both eyes which can be very painful."
Cheerio had to have both of his eyes removed, and Fubu had dental problems. Both are now healthy, and are looking for a forever home as a bonded pair. Placing senior pets isn't always easy, experts say.
"We face a unique challenge because we're the only shelter in the community that never turns away a pet in need," said Karen Hollish, with PACC. "So that means we take in a lot of old pets, sick pets, a lot of injured pets."
Five years ago Hollish says the duo might not have gotten the medical help they need. The save rate for animals at PACC was less than 40%, and now it's 90%.
Thanks to an expanded medical team, donations from the community, and help from volunteers, Hollish says PACC has worked closer to becoming a no-kill shelter.
"We are trying to save everyone we can, and you know for the first time every we have the resources we need to do our job," Hollish said. "So it's quite a tremendous turnaround."
In 2014 PACC only had one veterinarian and now it has three. Last year Hollish says it received around $1.2 million in donations and grants that help pay for medical costs.
Adoption fees for Cheerio and Fubu have been waived. Here is more on how you can adopt.
