Posts By: Emily Fromm

Charlie

Posted by & filed under Memorials.

Please give your furry friends a big hug tonight. We lost our Charlie on Sept. 23, 2019, in an attack occurring in our yard. We didn’t hear anything. We have no idea what it was. If you’re like us, and see the stories about animal attacks or even just coyote/owl/bobcat/mountain lion sightings, but don’t think this could happen to you, please remember our Charlie. Let this be yet another reminder that we have a lot of wildlife that will take advantage of those of us that get too comfortable and don’t take precautions.

In our 8 short years together, you watched me navigate college, marry the man of my dreams, and become a mother to two beautiful children. You have been my constant companion through it all, never complaining and always ready for more cuddles. It is so hard for me to accept life without you by my side.

RIP Charlie. You were so special to us and we will miss you dearly.–Audrey Miller

Bauer

Posted by & filed under Memorials.


In memory of brave Bauer, the Alaskan Corgi who lived a wonderful 16 1/2 years that included daily walks in subzero weather, salmon fishing, and a myriad of other activities with his adoring family.–Carol Wetmore

Getting Dogs Out of Shelters – ASAP!

Posted by & filed under Grants.

Shelter dog Cookie with one of her field-trip fosters

We like programs that help homeless pets by breaking down old ways of thinking — like the idea that shelter dogs need to stay in shelters! That’s why we’re supporting field-trip programs, which get dogs out of shelters for a few hours or even days.

These programs have countless benefits:

  • They relieve stress for the dogs, and tire them out so they’re better behaved when they get back to their kennels.
  • They let volunteers collect valuable information about (and take adorable photos and videos of) the dogs in real-world settings.
  • They get the dogs out into their communities, and their adorable faces in front of potential adopters.
  • They attract new volunteers and adopters by offering a low-stakes way to hang out with the dogs.

ACC field-trip favorite Bundles

When Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) debuted its field-trip program, the line to volunteer stretched down the block! “The BoroughBreak is a great way to not only give the animals much-needed time out of the shelter, but to gain deeper insight into their behavior from our fosters and volunteers,” says the shelter’s Jennifer DiClemente, “who become adoption ambassadors for great dogs like Bundles.”

ACC’s grant from the Petfinder Foundation will fund the purchase of no-pull harnesses so that volunteers can feel confident handling dogs who need to practice leash manners or have energy to burn — the same dogs who benefit most from getting out of the shelter.

DAWG dog Rocket on his field trip

Denison Animal Welfare Group (DAWG) received a Petfinder Foundation grant to purchase supplies such as collars, leashes, and ID tags for its field-trip dogs. The program has been a game-changer for the Texas shelter: “Dogs are receiving more visitors and increased visibility in our community,” says President Stephanie Phillips.

“Hold times are shorter, adoptions are occurring quicker,” and other organizations are more likely to pull dogs thanks to an abundance of information about them, she adds, including “videos, report cards, likes and dislikes, and things the volunteers might not have observed in a shelter setting.”

Ping’s field-trip fosters adopted him!

“The program does so much for our dogs,” says Mirah Horowitz, Executive Director of Hawaii’s Kauai Humane Society, which also received a Field Trip Grant. “It gives them a much-needed break from the stress and boredom of living in the shelter. It improves their socialization by getting them out in new environments and with new people. And, it some lucky dogs’ cases, it results in a forever home!”

One such lucky dog was Ping. “His family was living on Kauai for a temporary work assignment and took him out on multiple field trips. As they were getting ready to return to the mainland, the adopter’s children decided to surprise their mom on Mother’s Day with the gift of unconditional love. The family adopted Ping, and now he is living his best life on the East Coast!”

The Animal Foundation’s Papz

Since launching its program in July, The Animal Foundation in Las Vegas has sent more than 150 dogs on field trips to restaurants, parks, and even family holiday gatherings. “These temporary breaks have helped many of our dogs better cope with living in the shelter as they await their forever homes,” says Development Manager Amy Wiles.

The shelter will use its Petfinder Foundation grant to purchase booties for field-trip dogs. “They will protect the dogs’ paws as they venture out into our uniquely hot Las Vegas climate with its scorching surfaces,” Wiles says.

With your help, we can get more dogs out of shelters, where they can de-stress, show off their true personalities and meet potential forever families.

We’re Keeping Shelter Pets Safe from Dangerous Heat

Posted by & filed under Disaster, Grants.

This summer, many parts of the country have experienced dangerously high temperatures.

That’s why the Petfinder Foundation has Summer Cooling Grants available as part of our longstanding Disaster Fund.

Our grant helped Adele stay cool.

Our Summer Cooling Grant helped the dogs at Arizona’s Pima Animal Care Center, which used the funds to install an overhead misting system in two outdoor yards. In Tucson, where temperatures can top 110 degrees, the yards had often been unusable for both the dogs and potential adopters.

Now, thanks to the misting system, “nobody’s getting overheated,” Adoption Coordinator Ellie Beaubien said. “We really needed those. It was a great investment.” We also provided the shelter with kiddie pools, which were enjoyed by dogs like Bear (top photo) and Adele (above).

Skylar enjoyed shade, turf and mist.

The Humane Society of Southern Arizona used our Summer Cooling Grant to install a misting system, a shade sail and turf in its yard, which had previously been hard dirt.

Thanks to those upgrades, “It goes from scorching hot to tropical cool within seconds of flipping a switch,” Shelter PR Coordinator Sara Gromley said. “Staff members enjoy taking breaks by bringing dogs out in the yard and it’s actually pleasant to be outdoors. Petfinder Foundation, we love you!”

Nala the donkey chills out.

Our Summer Cooling Grants don’t help only dogs. Lusco Farms Rescue in Iowa used its grant to purchase two large fans and build a multipurpose pasture shelter for the donkeys, mules and miniature horses in its care.

“The grant not only allowed us to make a cooling station, but we designed it to be used as a shelter in the winter as well,” said Treasurer Scott Shehan. “So the donkeys will now be nice and dry even when it rains or snows.”

We don’t expect to see the end of extreme temperatures any time soon, so these severe-weather grants are now a permanent part of our Disaster program. Your donation to our Disaster Fund will help us save lives.

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You Helped Save These Adorable Cats

Posted by & filed under Grants.

Chiarra was found with a ruptured eye.

Your donation to the Petfinder Foundation’s Emergency Medical Fund has helped countless sick and injured pets — including these four adorable kitties!

Chiarra
The sweet 5-month-old kitten was found alone in a Pennsylvania parking lot, one eye ruptured due to infection and the other in bad shape. Taken in by Cherished Cats Rescue Alliance in Lewisburg, PA, Chiarra received good nutrition and care and, with help from our grant, surgery to remove the ruptured eye and repair the remaining one. After recovering, she was quickly adopted by a local family. Read Chiarra’s full story here.

Foster was abandoned in a box with a broken pelvis.

Foster
Foster was abandoned in a box in a vacant lot. He was cold, thirsty, hungry, and terribly injured. Paws of Hope in Stevensville, MI, rescued him and took him to the vet, where x-rays revealed that he had a broken pelvis and dislocated femur, most likely from being hit by a car. With help from our grant, Foster had a complicated surgery to treat his injuries. Three months later, he was adopted, and is thriving today. Read Foster’s full story here.

Marvel was thrown out of a moving car.

Marvel
Marvel was cruelly thrown out of a moving car, injuring his front leg. Under the care of Happy Tails Rescue in Chatham, VA, it became clear that the leg would require surgery, as Marvel was dragging it and it was becoming swollen and abraded. Our grant enabled Marvel to get his foot repaired to prevent pain and further injury. Today, he’s been adopted and can now walk normally, run, play and jump. Marvel has been adopted! Read Marvel’s full story here.

One of Gypsy’s rear feet was missing.

Gypsy
The 6-month-old long-haired calico was brought to Helotes Humane Society in San Antonio, TX, because her owners could not afford the care she needed. She’d been found with one of her rear feet missing and the other partially gone. The shelter’s vet said Gypsy needed part of her leg amputated to relieve her pain. Thanks to our grant, Gypsy got the surgery she needed and was adopted soon thereafter. She doesn’t let her disability hamper her life, and enjoys lots of love and affection in her new home. Read Gypsy’s full story here.

Your donations made happy endings possible for these cats and hundreds of other pets. Thank you for supporting the Petfinder Foundation and helping pets in need!

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Miss Betty

Posted by & filed under Memorials.


This donation is in memory of Miss Betty, beloved companion to my dear friends Holly Morris and Renee Holoien. Betty’s unexpected departure on April 10, 2019, was a shock to all who knew and loved her … and now miss her so very much. She was such a character. Much love, Jenny

Max

Posted by & filed under Memorials.

In memory of sweet Max, who was loved by so many and will be missed by all.–Sheryl LaBoda

Help Homeless Pets Stay Warm in Winter

Posted by & filed under Disaster.


During January’s polar vortex, temperatures in some parts of the country hit minus-30 degrees. In such extreme temperatures, shelters pets are incredibly vulnerable.

That’s why the Petfinder Foundation is introducing Winter Warming Grants (and, later, Summer Cooling Grants) as part of our longstanding Disaster Preparedness and Relief Program.

Our Disaster Grant helped the dogs at Oklahoma’s Perkins Animal Control. “Our shelter is partially open-air,” said Animal Welfare Supervisor Colleen Crummy. “In the worst of winter, our aging heating system could not even keep the shelter above freezing, and the dogs’ water would be frozen.” With our grant, the shelter purchased infrared heaters and had outlets installed to power them.

Our grant kept Cody warm all winter.

This was a blessing to dogs like Cody (pictured above), who was found roaming a field, skinny, cold, and scratched-up. “Despite his rough appearance, he was one of the sweetest dogs we have ever had,” Crummy says. “He enjoyed the warmth of the shelter, which was provided by our new heaters. Cody now lives nearby and is enjoying a very spoiled life.”

Diddy was abandoned during a polar vortex.

Another dog who benefited from a Petfinder Foundation grant was Diddy (pictured above). The 11-month-old boxer mix was abandoned in Illinois during a polar vortex and left in the cold to fend for himself until a good Samaritan took him to Hope Animal Rescues.

Unfortunately, the shelter’s pipes were damaged by the extreme cold, and it lost heat and running water. Our grant paid for repairs and insulation so the pipes will never freeze again, and the shelter was again livable for pets like Diddy, who’s since been adopted.

We don’t expect to see the end of extreme heat and cold any time soon, so these severe-weather grants are now a permanent part of our Disaster program. Your donation to our Disaster Fund will help us save lives.

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Brody

Posted by & filed under Memorials.

Brody will be missed by more than you know.–Donna Webb

The Stories That Made Us Smile in 2018

Posted by & filed under Grants.

Every time we give a grant to a shelter or rescue group, we ask for a report detailing how they used the funds and telling us the story of an individual pet helped as a result. (You can read all of these reports here.)

There are always some that make us smile, or laugh, or say, “wow!” And I wanted to share those with you. So here you’ll find our favorites from 2018, all featuring pets helped by your donations.

Best Breed Ambassador: Ginger
An adoptable pit bull at Associated Humane Societes in Newark, N.J., Ginger (pictured above) arrived at the shelter fearful and anxious. The staff decided to make her the resident office dog to socialize her. She quickly came to love all people, and soon got a second job: She visits area libraries so children can practice reading to her. Her calm, sweet disposition mean she’s always a popular audience.

Best Jogging Buddy: T-Bone
We’ve heard of stray dogs joining humans on their runs, but cats? T-Bone was walking along a Colorado hiking trail when a man jogged by. The friendly cat joined him and ran along beside him for a couple of miles. After the run, the jogger brought T-Bone to Colorado’s Routt County Humane Society, where a Petfinder Foundation grant helped him find a wonderful forever home.

Most Dramatic Rescue: Bear
Fleeing Hawaii’s volcanic eruption in May, a dog named Bear and his owner were separated moments before they were to be rescued by helicopter. Despite many subsequent searches, Bear could not be found. After several weeks, volunteers hiked into the lava-flow zone and found him! He was much leaner, but in good spirits and happy for some company. With help from our disaster grant, Hawaii Island Humane Society was able to rescue Bear (along with some cats, ducks and chickens) and reunite him with his owner.

Best Model: Pom Pom
When Pom Pom was adopted after 2 1/2 years at Jersey Shore Animal Center, staff and volunteers cried tears of joy. Her adopter didn’t care that Pom Pom was 10 years old, had no teeth, and suffered from an autoimmune disease — she just wanted to rescue a cat who really needed a home. Sweet Pom Pom had been so beloved at the shelter that a volunteer painted a beautiful picture of her, which was presented to her adopter. Pom Pom is now being pampered in her forever home.

Best Second Act: Jackson
Jackson lost both eyes as a result of dog fighting. Florida’s Pit Sisters rescue took him into its TAILS (Teaching Animals and Inmates Life Skills) program and, when one particular inmate started training Jackson, they formed an instant bond. Thanks to a Petfinder Foundation grant, Jackson was able to go home with his new dad after graduation — the perfect second chapter for both.

Best Office Assistant: Casper
Casper would “attack” when anyone tried to open the door to his cage at Michigan’s Harbor Humane Society. So staffers decided to see how Casper would do in a different environment and put him into office foster. Within hours, Casper showed his true nature. He loved attention so much, staff took to calling him Caspuurrrr because of his loud purrs when he was pet. He soon went to a wonderful home with another long-term resident cat.

Best Cinderella Story: Ginger
Somerset Humane Society in Maine used our grant to purchase agility equipment, which worked like a charm on a 2-year-old pit mix named Ginger. Ginger had been at the shelter for months, with no interest because she was so anxious in her kennel, barking and throwing herself at the kennel door. But the new agility equipment helped her use up her excess energy and focus on learning routines. After the shelter posted Facebook photos of her doing her tricks, she was adopted within a week!

As you know, these stories are only possible because of your support. Thank you so much from all of us at the Petfinder Foundation, and warmest wishes for 2019!

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