Two by Two Rescue: COVID-19 Operation Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
Funding from the Petfinder Foundation COVID-19 Operation Grant was used for medical care, spay/neuter, and vaccinations for eight abandoned dogs brought into Two by Two Rescue’s care during the past two months.
Two by Two Rescue is incredibly thankful for your support, which provided much-needed funding for vulnerable dogs in our community—particularly in the wake of COVID-19, which has triggered a record increase in the number of abandoned animals and adoption requests we typically receive.
Since the pandemic’s onset, Two by Two volunteers have rescued twice as many dogs as usual—between 20 and 30 dogs each week. Generally, we have 100 dogs in foster care on any given day, the majority of which require spay/neuter services. In fact, Two by Two community volunteers rescued 99 dogs during the month of July alone. Currently, the nonprofit is adopting out over 20 dogs weekly, a 40% increase since the onset of the pandemic.
Over the past few years, Two by Two has steadily increased service, taking in over 200 dogs in 2016, 446 dogs in 2017, 490 dogs in 2018, 630 in 2019, and thus far for 2020, 600 dogs as of 8/18/20. The organization is on pace to double the number of dogs rescued for 2020, and as of 8/24/20, has more than doubled the number of animals transferred out of predominantly high-[intake] Alabama shelters (51 during 8/24/18-8/24/19 vs 118 during 8/24/19-8/24/20).
How many pets did this grant help?
8
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
Tony and Tina (first seven photos): During July, Two by Two staff received a Facebook message from the owner of a local apartment complex who was concerned about tenants who owned two puppies who spent their days lying on a filthy mattress in a garbage pile. She shared that Animal Control had been called several times, but never caught the puppies.
Two by Two’s Executive Director, Sonya King, went out herself to rescue these sweet pups from this known drug-infested part of Birmingham. She knocked on the door to try to find these dogs’ owner. He screamed at her, “I don’t care what you do with them! Just take them—save a life!” Ms. King rushed out with the dogs and sought care with a local partner veterinarian.
Initially named Tina and Tony, these sweet dogs were spayed/neutered and received vaccinations, additional vet care, and treatment for mange. Both dogs were adopted into loving homes. Tina’s adoptive mother recently shared on Facebook that her adoption of Tina came at the perfect time for her because her long-time dog, Hank, had passed away from old age.
Libby (eighth photo): This super-recent puppy intake, an Anatolian Shepherd mix, was rescued on Aug. 10, 2020, after she was found wandering around Bessemer, AL. She had skin issues, needed vaccinations, and is scheduled to be spayed today. We are certain she will find her furever home soon based on her gentle nature and loving personality. Meet Libby here.
