Students raise money to pay their classroom pet's vet bills

HALTOM CITY, TX-- When the 3-year-old rabbit and W.T. Francisco Elementary School resident came down with a nasty eye infection about two weeks ago, concerns over paying for her veterinary bills began to multiply.

Boomer's keeper, fifth-grade teacher Carol Raymond, paid about $200 of her own money for vet visits. Then came a $360 to $600 estimate for surgery
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Boomer needs an abscessed tooth removed, and she could lose her right eye to a severe infection.

The fifth-graders have insisted on saving their classroom pet, even if it means going door-to-door or selling Rice Krispies treats -- shaped like rabbits, of course.

"It's an amazing show of compassion," Raymond said.

A local veterinarian has agreed to do the surgery for whatever the students can raise.

Jordan Yancy, 10, collected $60 from her relatives and neighbors.

"I love animals, and Boomer's just a great rabbit," she said.

Article with photos
By Terry Webster
Photo By Laurie L. Ward