“In memory of Charlie, we created the Necropsy Assistance Fund to help grieving pet owners find answers—and to inspire transparency and compassion in veterinary care.”
How Charlie Inspired This Fund
The following story is impossible to share in just a few words, but I will try to be concise. Two years ago, on September 12, 2023, we lost our sweet dog Charlie. Within 5 hours of bringing Charlie to a vet ER for a strange cough, he was gone.
Almost immediately thereafter, we discovered circumstantial evidence suggesting that Charlie’s death may have been the result of a mistake, followed by a brutal CPR process my family and I had to watch. A veterinary pathologist performed a necropsy on Charlie’s remains (coupled with toxicology tests through a partner lab) and concluded that the cause of his death was “euthanasia, specifically pentobarbital administration.” My family and I were devastated.
To honor Charlie’s memory, we have collaborated with the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine to create the Necropsy Assistance Fund with an initial $5,000 donation from me. The Fund will cover up to $500 for a necropsy (or up to $750 if toxicology tests are also recommended) for an Illinois pet owner with financial need, where their pet died after receiving veterinary care and the cause of death is clinically unknown.
The Fund has two primary purposes. The first is to give pet owners in need of closure some answers (without having to spend more money on testing on the heels of a likely massive vet bill). I was fortunate to have the ability and resources to do so, but many people don’t. The second purpose flows from our family’s prolonged quest for answers and our frustration with the way some veterinarians operate and maintain records – often leaving pet owners with immense pain but no meaningful answers if or when something does go wrong.
My personal hope is that, the more pet owners who learn about (and utilize) this Fund, the more veterinarians will know it exists. This, in turn, will hopefully lead to improvements in care that include timely, accurate and transparent records so that no family is left wondering after the loss of a beloved pet.
The College of Veterinary Medicine’s Advancement team is engaged in active fundraising to grow this Fund, which means any additional donations will serve to benefit even more pet owners in need. I pray that you and your family never find yourself in this situation, but if you love our furry friends and find yourself looking for a worthy cause, now or in the future, I hope you will consider making a tax-deductible donation. Your kindness and generosity are greatly appreciated!
Gratefully,
Pamela S. DiCarlantonio
