HOW WE CRUSADE
OUR MISSION
Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids exists to provide and guide lifesaving advanced medical care for homeless, sick, and injured pets in Iowa. We offer this service to shelters and rescues to reduce euthanasia numbers and restore broken lives.
Abuse, neglect, traumatic injury, serious illness, and the never-ending cycle of homelessness. This is how pets are failed each and every day. These are the animals that drain resources from budget-conscious shelters and rescues. They are also the first to be euthanized due to financial restrictions.
This is where Critter Crusaders steps in to help. Through life and limb-saving medical and surgical interventions, our goal is to restore health and adoptability to the animals that have suffered the most.
Through the process of diagnosis and treatment, we work side by side with our veterinary partners to deliver the most comprehensive medical and surgical options available. These are the pets that deserve a chance to be healthy and loved.
We are committed to meeting the medical and surgical needs of each homeless animal in our system of care. Life is not always kind. Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids exists to provide those animals a second chance to live a happy and healthy life. This is our passion.
MEDICAL AND SURGICAL INTERVENTIONS INCLUDE:
Complex surgical fracture repairs for traumatic injuries, joint replacements, open heart surgery, endoscopic procedures, brachycephalic syndrome corrections, cancer surgery & treatments, dental procedures and entropion surgery. Diagnostic procedures include biopsies, CT scans, ultrasounds, neurological consults, muscle-nerve biopsies and echocardiograms just to name a few.
Lifesaving treatments are performed for heartworm and parvovirus. Maintenance care is provided for a wide variety of lifelong medical conditions that include cushing’s disease, diabetes, congestive heart failure, seizure management and ophthalmological issues. Conditions such as demodectic mange, parasites, infections, skin allergies, viral and bacterial diseases often have to be treated before more advanced conditions can be addressed.
BY THE NUMBERS
2023
Medical Appointments Provided: COMING SOON
Surgeries Provided: COMING SOON
Pets Assisted: 104
Rescues and Shelters Assisted: 37
2022
Medical Appointments Provided: 738
Surgeries Provided: 100
Pets Assisted: 122
Rescues and Shelters Assisted: 35
2021
Medical Appointments Provided: 704
Surgeries Provided: 101
Pets Assisted: 155
Rescues and Shelters Assisted: 43
OUR STORY
In 2008, a young Siberian Husky named Ellie was surrendered to the Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter. Going blind from cataracts, the shelter was unable to afford the medical procedure that would restore her sight and make her adoptable. Ellie’s plight became our inspiration. With the financial help of many generous people, Ellie received sight saving surgery. After recuperating, she was adopted.
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The commitment to form Critter Crusaders came from Ellie. She was one of countless shelter animals in need of medical attention. These discarded pets are at the highest risk of euthanasia. It is apparent that some homeless animals need access to medical care to return to adoptability and health. The vision we had for Ellie then, is the mission we continue today. Critter Crusaders strives to restore health and adoptability to homeless animals who have suffered the most due to neglect, hoarding, abuse, illness, and traumatic injury.
Our non-profit was first formed in 2008 under the name of Friends of Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter. On March 19, 2009, we became an official 501c3. Our name was officially changed to Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids on April 21, 2011.​
Critter Crusaders’ outreach has expanded over the years to include partnerships with many rescues and shelters throughout the state of Iowa. Our partner veterinary hospitals and clinics include facilities throughout the United States.
HOW WE WORK WITH RESCUES
Rescue is the placement of animals into accredited organizations that will adopt them to families who have been screened through an application process.
Animals in need of rescue come from a variety of situations including overcrowded shelters, puppy mills, and individuals who can no longer care for their pets because of personal situations or financial restrictions. Animals may also be relinquished to rescues because of a court order.
Critter Crusaders is not an animal rescue. Every pet in our system of care belongs to a shelter or rescue. We have well established rescue partnerships. These relationships are based on trust and good animal assessment. We work alongside our partner rescues to provide continuity of medical care and the best possible outcomes for our animals.
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