Nonprofit Steps Up to Help Pet Parents Afford Life-Saving Veterinary Care

Originally reported by the Palo Pinto Press

Thirty-five pets barked and purred into 2026 thanks to a Texas nonprofit dedicated to helping families afford critical veterinary care.

That nonprofit is Saving Tails Foundation, founded by Graford kindergarten teacher Hayley Wehunt, whose mission recently surpassed its 36th life-saving veterinary bill.

“Yeah, and there might be a couple more coming today,” Wehunt said in an interview with Palo Pinto Press after the first save of the New Year. “We’ve got a couple more coming today.”

A follow-up check later that week revealed the number of pets helped had climbed to 38.

A Growing Mission With Deep Roots

Reflecting on Saving Tails’ first year as a 501(c)(3), Wehunt looked ahead to continued growth in 2026.

“I am fortunate,” she said. “Barry — one day I said, ‘Hey, wanna do this?’ and there wasn’t any kickback.”

Her husband, Barry Wehunt, had seen that determination before. Years earlier, he watched his wife nurture a single cow into a herd of 54 when the couple lived in Millsap.

Now settled in Barry’s hometown of Graford, the Wehunts—along with a five-member board—are preparing for the nonprofit’s second year of operation.

How Saving Tails Helps

Saving Tails works directly with local veterinarians across Palo Pinto and Parker counties. Veterinary estimates are reviewed by the board before assistance is approved.

“Sometimes the nonprofit can afford the whole bill, sometimes they can just take a bite out of it,” Wehunt said. “It just depends on the donations at the time.”

As word spreads, both veterinarians and pet parents are increasingly reaching out for help.

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Fundraising has been central to Saving Tails’ success.

“Our first year, we did — we started selling shirts,” Wehunt said. “I created these coloring books that I think are real neat. They are animals we’ve helped or supporters’ pets.”

Additional fundraising efforts included an online raffle, a summer skeet shoot, and a bake sale that exceeded expectations.

“It was just crazy,” board member Maureen Maldonado said. “People were so generous. ... I know someone who is not a big animal lover. They support Saving Tails because they believe it’s such a good thing to do.”

Wehunt recalled one donor with a sweet tooth.

“We didn’t put price tags on anything,” she said.

Paying It Forward

For Wehunt, the mission is deeply personal.

“Around 22 years ago, we had a dog with a massive cancer tumor in his stomach,” she said. “We were gonna have to put her down, because there was no way we could afford surgery.

“And somebody just stepped in. They said a foundation took care of the cost. and still, to this day, we don’t know who that was.”

That moment shaped Saving Tails’ philosophy.

“Nobody asked me for anything,” Wehunt said. “They just came and did it. That’s what we do: we just ask for the vet’s and the animal’s name.”

Learn more at https://savingtailsfoundation.org