About Us
CRU is dedicated to giving every puppy born with a cleft a chance. We partner with many Cleft and Cranial Facial organizations, hospitals and families to help spread awareness around the U.S!
Our Mission
CRU’s mission is to provide hope and healing to both puppies and children born with cleft palates and craniofacial conditions. We are dedicated to rescuing medically fragile puppies, nurturing them, and facilitating their connection with healthcare agencies and children facing similar challenges. Through compassion, education, and collaboration, we aim to transform lives, fostering a community of support and empowerment for those affected by craniofacial differences.
Services
Experience in bottle and tube feeding
Connections with local veterinarians
Accepting of all puppies with craniofacial differences
Experience in bottle and tube feeding
Connections with local veterinarians
Accepting of all puppies with craniofacial differences
Our History
New 2U Rescue is excited to announce the launch of a brand-new division, Cleft Rescue Unit (CRU). New 2U Rescue is a registered 501(C)(3) nonprofit rescue based out of Rochester, NY. Registered with NY Department of Agriculture and Markets #33.
Sponsor an Adoption
Teacup Chihuahua
$100-$500
Yorkshire Terrier
$500-$1,000
French Bulldog
$1,100-$2,500
Golden Retriever
$2,600-$5000
Golden Retriever
$2,600-$5,000
Great Dane
$5,100-$10,000+
Great Dane
$5,100-$10,000+
Our Staff
About Cleft Puppies
Puppies with a cleft palate often learn to drink using a water bottle when they are first developing drinking skills. By stretching their neck and licking water from an elevated bottle that limits the flow, they are better able to swallow without water coming out of their nose.
As they grow, some puppies are able to transition to drinking from a water bowl. However, others continue to prefer the water bottle method because they have learned it helps them drink comfortably without choking.
A cleft palate is a birth defect where there is an opening or split down the roof of the mouth because the tissues did not fuse during development.
Primary Cleft Palate is where the cleft is present in the lip but not the roof of the mouth.It may be just the upper lip or extend into the front gum line or nostril.
Secondary Cleft Palate– This cleft affects the roof of the mouth and can be present in the
hard palate (bony front portion)
soft palate (back, soft tissue portion)
This type of cleft presents significant risk for nursing. Tube feeding is the safest option for feeding a newborn puppy with this type of cleft palate. Puppies are at a high risk of developing aspiration pneumonia.
No, all cleft puppies absolutely do not need surgery. A cleft lip typically does not impact a puppy long term. A cleft lip only is often considered a cosmetic issue not requiring further medical intervention as the puppy grows. There are occasional times when a tooth growing in the cleft can cause a problem, however, that can easily be corrected during the spay or neuter.
Puppies with a cleft palate who are able to eat and drink independently often do not require surgery to repair the cleft. In some cases, however, puppies may experience persistent infections if food becomes lodged in the cleft, and these dogs may be candidates for surgical repair.
Surgery can be expensive and carries risks, including a relatively high failure rate that can leave the puppy worse off than before the procedure.
We will provide adopters with tools and guidance for safely removing lodged food or debris and recommend checking the cleft daily to ensure it remains clear.
