Tank, an oversized mixed-breed puppy, disappeared last week — and somehow limped his way back home three days later, bloody and mauled.

Maggots had crawled into the bite marks that covered his upper body, presumably caused by coyotes or dogs that had attacked him. And the wounds in his neck and one of his legs were extremely severe.

Tank's owners rushed him to Save-A-Pet, a nonprofit animal shelter in Desert Hot Springs. The staff put him into surgery, stitching him up with dozens of sutures.

Then the staff sat up with him until after 3 a.m.

“We actually didn't think the dog was going to make it through the night because he was in such shock,” said Thom Daves, director of shelter operations.

Tank survived the night — but then Corine Bingham, his owner, told the shelter she could only scrape together about $125 for the medical bill.

The shelter had already calculated it at a reduced price of about $650.

“But they really wanted to save the dog for (the owner's children), so of course we couldn't refuse it. How could you turn him away?” Daves said.

“It makes me want to cry thinking about that,” Bingham said. “I probably would have had to put him to sleep.”

Save-A-Pet — a no-kill animal shelter at 67-600 18th Ave. — first opened its doors 27 years ago.

It contracted out to veterinarians to perform spays and neuters, or to provide medical help to the rescued animals.

Under the leadership of Daves, though, the group has recently expanded its shelter to offer veterinary services to private pet owners.

Daves, 54, solicited donations throughout the year and has begun building a state-of-the-art veterinarian facility.

He also recruited the shelter's own veterinarian, Dr. Rebecca Diaz, who volunteers four days a week.

They have now launched a veterinary clinic that they hope will be an inexpensive but high-quality option for cash-strapped pet owners. Proceeds help the shelter.

For Daves — a man who started rescuing animals at the age of 9 — the reward is in miraculous stories such as Tank's.

“We did what we set out to do,” Daves said. “We've made a lot of difference.”

Tank, who will likely have permanent nerve damage but survived with all four legs intact, went home Friday.

“It's amazing he made it home and amazing he pulled through this, and amazing that Save-A-Pet could help me,” Bingham said.

“Thank Goodness for Save-A-Pet, because they saved our pet. I don't know how you thank them.”