02/13/2026
UPDATE: Zuma passed away on Monday, February 16. Our hearts are broken. Here is his memorial post: https://www.facebook.com/BARCSbaltimore/posts/pfbid02tWBFYroYyTHNjjoc1xLRH6BAf14oJuuTJQbU5o8VyVEJkqdXyEoGjdskd7vGsnHhl
FRANKY FUND: [Please be advised, this post contains upsetting content.] Yesterday afternoon, Baltimore City Animal Control officers responded to a call about a neglected dog at an apartment building—they were heartbroken by what they found inside.
It was clear the dog had been without care for quite some time. The living room was covered with urine and f***s. In the middle of the room sat a couch without cushions—and on top lay a dog so painfully thin he could not even lift his head. There was no food. No water. No comfort. When an officer gently picked him up, his head fell limply over the officer’s arm. Zuma, as we named him, was immediately transported to BARCS for medical care.
At BARCS, our veterinary team determined he was just a 1/9 on the Body Condition Scale. Every rib, every bone in his spine, and even the shape of his skull was visible beneath his fragile skin. Zuma was severely emaciated, hypothermic, dehydrated, and anemic. He could not stand nor walk on his own; his body was shutting down.
Our team immediately began fluids, heat support, and a carefully controlled refeeding plan. But his condition was so critical that we rushed him to our Franky Fund partner emergency hospital for round-the-clock monitoring, unsure if he would survive the night.
Today, Zuma is stable, and we are cautiously hopeful for his future. He can now stand with support and take a few small steps. It may not sound like much, but for a dog who couldn’t lift his head yesterday, it is everything.
Through it all, Zuma has been a sweet and gentle patient. Despite the neglect he endured, Zuma looks up at his caregivers with soft, adoring eyes, as if he understands that he is finally safe.
We have made Zuma a promise: the rest of his life will not look like his past. Though his movements need to be limited now, we can’t wait for him to heal and be able to run and play like a 2-year-old dog should.
BARCS is seeking donations for Zuma to our Franky Fund, which is a restricted fund that saves the lives of animals with extraordinary medical needs and emergencies. It is a lifeline for the injured, sick and abused animals in Baltimore City. We meet 12,000 homeless animals each year who need help. Many arrive broken, injured, or neglected. We can only provide this level of care if the Franky Fund has the resources to say “yes” when their lives depend on it.
Together, we can give Zuma the second chance he deserves. Together, we can turn his story from one of abandonment into one of hope.
If you're able to help, please consider making a donation using the button in this post or on our website at www.barcs.org/franky-fund. 100% of your donation goes directly to medical care.
