Help Save Baby Daniel

Daniel Estell is a 7 month old boy who is in desperate need of a liver transplant. Born in Belize Daniel is now at Children's Hospital in Los Angeles. It is the hope that sufficient funds can be raised to make this life saving transplant possible.

To find out how to help, CLICK HERE

Baby Daniel suffers from a rare liver disease ‘Biliary Atresia’. Biliary atresia is a blockage in the tubes (ducts) that carry a liquid called bile from the liver to the gallbladder. The condition is congenital, which means it is present from birth. The only 2 treatments for this disease are the ‘Kasai Procedure’ which baby Daniel has gone through already and secondly a liver transplant, which baby Daniel is in dire need in this present time.

Nobody really knows what is the actual cause for Biliary Atresia the only thing we know is it can be treated. The encouraging news is that most of the babies who are treated in time grow up and live normal lives.

Presently in Los Angles, California, baby Daniel is being treated at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. He is in a stable condition but just for a short period of time, due to his chronic and progressive liver disease. He will need a liver transplant within the next few months. Time is very critical in his life.

Saga has a new vet - Dr. Laura J. Henckel

After weeks of reaching out for public support and persistent efforts with the Veterinarians Surgeons Board of Belize, SAGA Humane Society was informed that Dr. Laura J. Henckel has finally been granted a conditional temporary license to provide veterinary services at SAGA’s Veterinary Clinic. The temporary license is valid until September 30th 2010.

Dr. Lauren Henkel has been working in Las Crusas, New Mexico for the past year and a half as a veterinarian. She is a long time lover of San Pedro and has visited the island over six times in the past fifteen years. Dr. Henckel is excited that she can finally start to contribute to the island and its residents though her work at the SAGA Humane Society’s Veterinary Clinic. More than for a salary, Dr. Henkel stresses that her interest in working with the SAGA Humane Society stems from her genuine love of animals as she herself is the proud owner of five pets.

The Board of Directors of SAGA Humane Society stated to the The San Pedro Sun, “We are thrilled that we were at least issued a short term temporary license for now so that we can fully run the Clinic. The petition and community support for SAGA definitely played a part in this and so we thank the community wholeheartedly for its help. SAGA is currently waiting to receive some guidance and clarification from the Veterinary Surgeons Board on certain terms of the license and will exercise its best judgment in the interim. SAGA will continue to advocate for the Board to issue SAGA’s vet a permanent, unrestricted license so that SAGA can be financially sound and available to help all those in the community that need our services. We appeal to the community to continue to support us in this effort as well.”

The SAGA Humane Society and Veterinary Clinic is open Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon and 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm. On Saturdays, SAGA is open from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon. In addition to veterinary services, SAGA is available to render assistance with adoptions, surrenders, abuse/neglect reports and other animal issues. SAGA’s Clinic is closed on Sundays and Mondays. For more information and to make an appointment, please call 226-3266.