Save the Lives of Homeless Animals in Oregon

Earlier this year, a Good Samaritan spotted a young German Shepherd in distress at the busy intersection of two busy roads in Eugene and brought him to Greenhill. Thin, scared, and with a badly damaged front leg, the pup, who we named Lukas, needed urgent help.

Our medical team discovered he was very underweight and his right front limb had developed severe degenerative joint disease due to an old injury. After consulting orthopedic specialists, it was clear the best path forward was amputation. Thanks to the skill of Greenhill’s veterinary staff, the surgery was performed right here at the shelter, and Lukas recovered beautifully in our care. 

While healing, Lukas also began to blossom socially. At first, he was wary of strangers. sometimes nervous when new people approached. But with patience, treats, and gentle handling, he quickly learned that people could be trusted. Soon, he was bounding into staff offices, wagging his tail, leaning in for pets, and showing off his playful side. Lukas proved to be affectionate, food-motivated, and sweet, with a knack for snuggling once he felt safe. 

After 52 days in our care, Lukas found his forever family. His adopters renamed him Zeke and sent us this heartwarming update: “We adopted Lukas (now Zeke) and I just wanted to let you know how happy we are with him. He fit right into our home and it feels like he was always here. He’s such a sweetheart. When we adopted him, he had just had surgery to remove one of his legs. Now, he’s healed and physically strong; he runs circles around my other dog. My 16-year-old son feels a strong bond with Zeke. He says we were destined to get him and I completely agree. I wasn’t looking for another dog, but I felt a strong pull to look at Greenhill. When I saw him, I felt an instant connection. It was meant to be.” 

From a frightened stray with a painful past to a beloved family companion, Zeke’s journey reminds us why the work we do matters. His story was made possible thanks to our compassionate staff, skilled veterinary team, and the generous support of donors and friends like you.

So far this year, Greenhill has cared for more than 4,000 animals - providing over 10,000 exams, vaccines, and treatments, along with more than 2,500 surgeries. The need in our community continues to grow, and with your support, we can keep saying “yes” to animals like Zeke. Together, we can ensure that the most vulnerable pets receive the lifesaving care and second chances they deserve.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

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