I think most people, when they find a stray animal that is in need of care, is injured or unwanted, immediately turn to their veterinarian for help. I’m sure many of you provide medical treatment and housing until the owner or a new home is found. More than likely, your hospital has to absorb the costs, too, not to mention your team members having to volunteer their time.
I was reading about San Luis Obispo Animal Services in California where an account for homeless animals has been established. Donations made to the “Animals in Need Fund” give animal services the ability to provide veterinary care to unclaimed Pets or those without owners. So for example, a dog brought in that was hit by a car and suffers from a broken leg, could have surgery done by a local veterinary surgeon, with the fund paying for the cost of medical and surgical procedures. The hospital team then takes care of the Pet during recovery until a new family (or the owner) is found. Integrating special events — dog walks and related fundraisers — sounds like a good way to boost the account overall.
There are probably more programs out there than I can list, but here are few others I’ve come across:
-Â RAP Medical Fund (NY): provides vaccines, wormings, heartworm testing, and spays/neuters. It also includes heartworm treatment, tumor removals, dentals, orthopedic surgeries and critical care
-Â Citizens for Humane Action Emergency Medical Fund (OH): for non-routine medical expenses for dogs and cats. Financed solely by donations.
-Â The CARE Medical Fund (Companion Animal Rehabilitation and Emergency Medical Fund, VA): helps the Virginia Beach SPCA provide specialized medical treatment for animals that would have once been considered untreatable by many shelters.
-Â LifeSaver Fund (GA): serves animals with life-threatening medical conditions whose owners are struggling financially as well as animals that have no homes or no one to care for them.
-Â CHAMPS Emergency Medical Fund (KY): provides medical care to animals with torn ligaments, eye injuries, rare fungal infections and many other conditions.
-Â Banfield Charitable Trust Charity Bucks (Nationwide): donates funds to help offset the cost of urgent care while helping families in need provide their Pets with lifesaving care.
Visit these websites to find out more information and details about additional programs available. What’s going on in your community and how can others help?
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