AMY'S ARTICLES

PET FRIENDLY DONATIONS

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I can’t help but feel grateful for the good health of family, friends--and the pets of my world. A great way to celebrate the lives of current pets--and those we've treasured and lost--is to offer a donation to a favorite animal cause in your pet’s name. Several research foundations exist to better understand, treat, prevent or even cure animal diseases. These studies not only help animals, but also provide answers for related human health conditions.

RESEARCH FOUNDATIONS

For instance, Darcy Fund, founded by my colleague Kim Thornton in honor of her dog, finances research on chronic valvular disease and is administered through the American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club’s Charitable Trust. Larger foundations fund multiple studies specific to dogs, to cats, or to all animals.

One of these, the AKC Canine Health Foundation, was founded in 1995, and is the largest non-profit funder of exclusively canine research in the world. It not only funds medical research on many canine diseases, but also has established the Marcia Polimer Abrams Fund for Canine Behavior Studies. This fund was created in memory of author and CHF President’s Council Member Darlene Arden’s mother. The AKC Canine Health Foundation can be reached at 888-682-9696. Learn more about the organization, and ongoing studies on dog issues, at the site.

The Winn Feline Foundation was founded by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) in 1968 to create a source of funding for medical studies to improve the health and welfare of cats. Many of the individual studies are supported by cat breed clubs and some specific funds have been sponsored by individuals.

Susan Gingerich (sister of Newt Gingerich) established The Bria Fund for FIP Research in her cats name to learn more about feline infectious peritonitis that took this precious kitten’s life. And my colleague Steve Dale established the The Ricky Fund in his cat’s name, to learn more about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (heart disease) after Ricky died of the disease.

In addition to funding these studies and others, Winn also supports educational conferences on feline health for breeders, veterinarians and scientists. This year Winn created a Veterinary Honor Roll for you to honor your pet’s doctor with a donation in his/her name. So say “thanks” to your veterinarian and help cats at the same time.

Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) funds studies on cats, dogs—and many other kinds of animals. Founded in 1948, today the Foundation funds studies in 100 countries spanning all seven continents on earth. MAF recently published its 2008 listing of 120 animal research studies available for sponsorship--that’s 43 canine health studies that include behavior, cancer, heart disease, influenza, and epilepsy; and 17 feline health studies that cover asthma, cancer, kidney and obesity issues; 11 horse studies that include foal diseases, laminitis, pain management and osteoarthritis; health studies related to llamas and alpacas; plus 36 wildlife health studies covering mountain gorillas, elephants, wild cats, foxes, wolves, fish, birds, marine life, and more.

MAF says that 100 percent of donations are used to fund research to protect, treat and cure the world’s animals. You can reach this organization at 800-243-2345, and learn more about it at the website www.morrisanimalfoundation.org. Contact Heidi Jeter, hjeter@MorrisAnimalFoundation.org for more information on study sponsorships.

PET-VET FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Other organizations address the needs of pet owners who find themselves in difficult financial situations, but need care for their pets. Each has specific requirements how to qualify for assistance, which may be specifically for senior citizens, disabled folks, the working poor or folks without jobs or who have other challenges. Some are designated not-for-profit and part of a larger organization, while others are mom-and-pop grass roots organizations.

Most of these organizations rely on donations--and when the money runs out, so does the funding. All of us may someday be in need of a good Samaritan to help us help our pets--so think about donating to one of these worthy causes now. A pet somewhere will benefit.

As a part of the American Animal Hospital Association the Helping Pets Fund assists owners of pets in need.

Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance offers help specifically to cats in need.

Starfleet Canine Aid Foundation (SCAF) offers financial aid to dog owners unable to fund the veterinary cost associated with a recoverable injury or catastrophic illness.

United Animal Nations offers Lifeline Grants for individual pets in need, rescue operations, and animal welfare organizations.

The Pet Fund provides funds to help care for domestic animals in need. This resources also provides information on how to protect yourself and avoid future financial emergencies.

In Memory of Magic (IMOM) wants to ensure no companion animal must be euthanized solely because of financial hardship.

Help-A-Pet provides help to physically and mentally challenged individuals, senior citizens, and children of the working poor.

Angels4Animals is a non-profit organization and a program of Inner Voice Community Services. Its stated mission is to serve as the guardian angel of animals whose caretakers find themselves in difficult financial situations.

LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES

Don’t neglect the needs of animal organizations here at home. If you don’t have spare funds, why not donate food, cat litter, toys, or simply offer your time by volunteering?

The Sherman Animal Shelter on Ida Road can be reached at 903-892-7255.

Homeward Bound Humane Society, near Durant, can be reached by calling 580-924-5873 or emailing hbhs@earthlink.net.

Animal Refuge Foundation (ARF) takes in a limited number of needy pets on a case-by-case basis. Contact ARF at 903-564-7056 to ask about giving a donation.

Happy Hearts Shelter and the Denison Pound at the Morton Street Animal Hospital at 2500 W. Morton in Denison can be reached at 903-465-4714.

The Good Shepherd Humane Society and Rescue operation is located on 22650 SH 70 in Blue, OK seven miles east of Durant. The phone number is 580-924-0346.

In this season of holiday cheer, give your own furry wonders a hug. Give thanks for all the wonderful help now available to keep them happy and healthy. I’m certainly grateful for all the whisker kisses and sloppy wet smooches these days--and even the occasional hiss and mis-directed chew from my critters.

I can think of no better way to give thanks for the joy pets bring to our lives than to support one or more of these funds, or even sponsor the creation of a new one.

Amy D. Shojai, CABC is a nationally known pet care specialist, and author of 22 pet books.

copr. 2007 Amy D. Shojai