DENVER -- The doggie flu and other pet illnesses have all but maxed-out Denver's Maxfund no-kill animal shelter.

Disease and infections have hit the shelter hard, costing them thousands of dollars in unexpected medical costs.

Despite the challenges the shelter is currently facing, employees there remain committed to saving every sick animal that comes to them. Many of the dogs and cats have recovered, and they are now healthy and ready for adoption.

Employees say their budget is strained, but their mission is uncompromised.

There are healthy animals ready to be adopted, but in rooms next door are dozens of others who rely on your help to get the care they desperately need.

One cat named Golden Eye is sick with a respiratory infection.

"His blood work showed that he had a virus and apparently we've gotten him through that," said vet technician Jenny Carlson.

Lily, a kitten, has the same virus.

"But once she starts trusting you, she lets you hold her and pet her," said Carlson.

There is a cat at the shelter who needed to have surgery on his infected hind. Muffy, a small dog, had surgery too.

"Muffy was relinquished to the shelter because he had two broken legs and this was going to be a huge bill and the people didn't feel like they could handle it," said Veterinarian Dr. William Suro.

All of the animals at the Maxfund Animal Shelter have a tale to tell.

The shelter has been hit hard lately especially with respiratory infections and an animal flu new to Colorado and becoming more and more problematic.

"It has caused the shelter to have to be closed twice," said Suro.

"We've had a lot of dogs come down with that and our hospital bills have been horrendous," said Carlson.

It's the 24-hour care that's killing this no-kill shelter.

"Literally about $60,000 so far this year," said Suro.

It's a problem for the furry friends at the shelter and a plea to happy healthy dog and cat lovers for help.

"We treat them as if they're our own pets," said Suro.

There is no vaccine yet for the dog flu. Symptoms in dogs are similar to symptoms in humans. The flu and other respiratory infections can be transferred from dog to dog or cat to cat, but not from one to the other, or from pets to humans.

If you would like to adopt or donate, you can do so by calling the shelter directly at 303-595-4917 or visit www.maxfund.org.