 Many of us know the sweet smell of a newly born baby; those first smiles and coos. The same goes for puppy breath, downy kitten fur, and many young mammals of different species. By design, they are adorable and they just can’t help it. Because of this, people readily overlook the energy and maintenance needed to care for them. So what if the new kitten climbed up the curtains again? Who needs that new pair of designer strappy sandals anyway? How can you discipline a puppy that soiled your new carpet when she looks at you with her ears askew and eyes full of adoration? Their cuteness seems to be a widely accepted trade-off for their lack of manners, coordination, and experience.
What that meant was: many families that were unable to afford pet food or medical care were provided with some in order to help them retain custody of their beloved animal.
During times of economic struggle, job layoffs, and other external stressors, these have been remarkable services available thanks to the generosity of the people within the community. Thanks to the HOPE Program, 26 families have received food for their companion animals; several dogs and cats were given life-saving veterinary care for serious ailments; foster care was given to pets whose families were displaced as a result of eviction or foreclosure; and many other services were provided thanks to the community’s donations to the program. People have stepped up to support this program, and it has resulted in dozens of families being able to keep their pets.  In addition to the community’s donations, the Grey Muzzle Organization partnered with the VBSPCA by awarding a substantial grant to assist the HOPE Program with senior dogs, specifically. With that money, we have been able to help families of older dogs keep their animals by providing them with services they desperately need such as: dentals, insulin, bloodwork, mass removals, and so much more. Care for an elderly dog can be quite costly, and the Grey Muzzle Grant has offset that financial burden for eligible families and their dogs.
 Fortunately, the VBSPCA has seen fewer cases in recent months of financial hardship as the reason people are turning in their animals, in addition to fewer eligible HOPE recipients. This decrease in numbers is giving everyone “hope” that the worst may be behind us. If you are interested in lending a hand to this program, please contact Amy McNally at youthprograms@vbspca.com or (757)427-0070 x 13.
|
