Always and Furever Midwest Animal Sanctuary: COVID-19 Operation Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
The Petfinder Foundation's $1,000 grant was used toward the initial immunizations of 23 dogs rescued from regional [open-intake] shelters or owner surrenders. Twenty-three dogs received the initial care necessary to make it possible to evaluate them and make them eligible for care in our sanctuary or promotion for fostering and adoption. A spreadsheet of specific dogs treated and points of care is available upon request.
Always and Furever Midwest Animal Sanctuary was established just two years ago, and in the past two years has rescued 972 dogs as of this date who were listed for euthanasia in the next 24 hours at [open-intake] shelters, abandoned, or surrendered by owners and families who could no longer care for them. Your grant made it possible for these dogs to receive care in our sanctuary and within our foster system, and be eligible for adoption into forever homes.
How many pets did this grant help?
Twenty-three dogs were provided initial vaccinations.
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
Meet Collins, a Great Dane/Rhodesian ridgeback mix rescued on April 28, 2020. Collins and four other dogs were reported as abandoned in a house surrounded by woods after their owner died. Neighbors had been trying to feed the dogs, who were terrified, hungry and covered with hundreds of ticks. After hours of coaxing and a two-hour drive, Collins and her friends went straight to the vet for vaccinations, physical exams and the painstaking removal of ticks and parasites.
Cowering in our rescue van, Collins began to trust one staff member at a time. She joined our family of dogs at our open-environment sanctuary, made friends with staff and volunteers, and found her forever home with a loving family on May 2, 2020. Not all of our dogs transition this quickly, but we are delighted for Collins and the close to 1,000 other dogs we have rescued in the past two years since Always and Furever Midwest Animal Sanctuary was established.
