PAW- fect Fam-ILY

=ᴥ=

Christine Posadas
HD 412 – Working with Chidlren & Families in a Diverse World
Professor Waters
Why are pets important to families?

 Help people recover or cope with:

 health problems
 mental-health disorders
 traumas.
 Animal assisted activities consist of a more general purpose that can provide comfort and
enjoyment for families.
 Animal-assisted therapy can significantly reduce pain, depression, anxiety and fatigue in
people.
Mission

Our mission is to assist low income families to

maintain and care for their pets who provide
therapy and activities that improve a person’s
social, emotional and cognitive functioning, all while
promoting adoption to clear the local animal
shelters.
 Statistics
 Approximately 55% of dogs and puppies entering shelters are killed, based on reports from
1,038 facilities across America. Source: National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy -
Shelter Statistics Survey
 Approximately 71% of cats and kittens entering shelters are killed, based on reports from
1,038 facilities across America. Source: National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy -
Shelter Statistics Survey
 Pets that spend most of their time separated from the family, either in crates or in the yard,
are at greater risk of being surrendered to shelters. Consider this: While our world consists of
interests outside our pets, we are their ENTIRE world and depend on us exlusively for their
socialization and well-being.
 An unspayed female cat, her mate and all of their offspring, producing 2 litters per years,
with 2.8 surviving kittens per year can total 11,606,077 cats in 9 years. Source: Spay USA
 In 6 years one unspayed female dog and her offspring, can reproduce 67,000 dogs.
Source: Spay USA
 Statistics

 Over $2 billion is spent annually by local governments to shelter and ultimately destroy 8-10 million
adoptable dogs and cats due of shortage of homes. Source: Business Wire Features
 An estimated 6 to 8 million dogs and cats are euthanized in shelters each year. Millions more
are abandoned, only to suffer from illness or injury before dying. Source: Doris Day Animal League
 The perceived high cost of altering is not the problem, but the lack of education, i.e., its benefits.
 While prices vary considerably, many humane societies and municipal animal control departments
offer low-cost spay/neuter services. And while the cost of surgery may seem high initially, it's a real
bargain when compared with the cost of raising a litter of puppies or kittens. Spaying and neutering
also saves taxpayer dollars. On average, it costs approximately $100 to capture, house, feed and
eventually kill a homeless animal - a cost that ultimately comes out of all our pockets. Source: Doris
Day Animal League
 Each day 10,000 humans are born in the U.S. - and each day 70,000 puppies and kittens are born. As
long as these birth rates exist, there will never be enough homes for all the animals. Source: Spay USA
Focus

 Resources for assisted vet care – eventually assist financially for

emergency cases
 Resources for free or low-cost vaccination & spay/neutering –
eventually provide the service
 Resources for free/low pet grooming – eventually providing free
monthly pet grooming events
 Interactive workshops for families on the essentials to caring for pets
 Fostering and adoptions for local shelter animals
Survey
Survey Results: Reasons Why To Have Pets

 Senior recovering from 2 strokes

 Child with brain tumor, suffering from several health issues
 Family loss
 Older brother moving away across the state
 Living alone
 Family survivors of domestic violence
 Recent parent divorce
Survey Results: Family Concerns

 Expensive Vet Bills

 Paying too much for spaying/neutering & vaccines
 Not being able to pay for grooming
 Financial hardships
 Not knowing who to ask for help
Vet Interview: Dr. DelVecchio, DVM

 Some families don’t know the risks of not getting their pet vaccinated
 Some families can’t afford costly procedures
 Pets coming to the vet until severe
 Not enough awareness of pet insurance
 Unique bond between humans and animals
 Vet care assistance programs
 Website/Social Media

@Midnight_Tortie
 Current Resources:
Free & Low-Cost Spay/Neuter & Veterinary Services
 The Sam Simon Foundation (Los Angeles) 888-364-7729 (888-
DOG-SPAY)
 ∙ Mobile veterinary clinic that does free surgeries for cats and
dogs www.ssfmobileclinic.org
 The Amanda Foundation (Los Angeles City) 888-349-7388 (888-
FIX-PETT)
 ∙ Free spay/neuter for cats & dogs belonging to qualifying L.A.
City residents only. www.amandafoundation.org
 Animal Rescue Center (“ARC”) (near Leimert Park) 323-402-
0039
 ∙ Low-cost spay/neuter (no website)
 Best Friends’ Pet Adoption and Spay/Neuter Center (Mission
Hills) 818-643-3989
 ∙ Free & low-cost spay/neuter (cost of surgery depends on
applicant’s income.) www.bestfriends.org/la
 City of Los Angeles Animal Services 213-482-9532
 ∙ Spay/neuter vouchers for pets of qualifying residents in the
City of Los Angeles www.laanimalservices.com
 County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care & Control
562-345-0321
 ∙ $50 spay/neuter vouchers to qualifying residents of the
County of L.A. animalcare.lacounty.gov
 Dog & Cat Spay Neuter Clinic (Sherman Oaks) 818-907-0929
 ∙ $10 office visits, and low-cost care and procedures. (no
website)
 Downtown Dog Rescue (Compton area) 818-407-4145
 ∙ Free spay/neuter for Compton & surrounding areas only
www.downtowndogrescue.org  Pets For Life (Boyle Heights) 323-493-4068
 Fix Long Beach (Long Beach) 323-413-7729  ∙ Free spay/neuter & dog training for pets in zip codes 90023
and 90033 humanesociety.org/petsforlife
 ∙ Free spay/neuter for family-owned cats & dogs belonging to
Long Beach residents. www.fixlongbeach.com  Pets R Us (Palmdale) 661-272-1600
 FixNation 818-524-2287  ∙ Low-cost spay/neuter, dentals, and other veterinary services
petsrusveterinaryhospitals.com
 ∙ Free spay/neuter for feral cats, and low-cost spay/neuter for
tame cats www.fixnation.org  San Bernardino Humane Society 909-386-1400
 Four Paws Vet Hospital (Bakersfield) 661-397-3767  ∙ Low-cost spay/neuter / free spay/neuter for pitbulls in certain
zip codes hssbv.org/clinic/spay_neuter
 ∙ Low-cost spay/neuter (no website)
 SNiP LA (formerly “Clinico”) 310-574-5555
 Golden State Human Society (Garden Grove & Long Beach)
714-638-8111 / 562-423-8406  ∙ Low-cost spay/neuter for cats, dogs & rabbits. Clinics in
Downey, Pico Rivera & Van Nuys. www.snpla.org
 ∙ Low-cost spay/neuter and other limited veterinary services.
goldengatehumanesociety.com  ∙ Low-cost veterinary care, including exams, bloodwork,
surgery & medications.
 HoPe Veterinary Center (West L.A.) 877-910-4682
 SPAY-4-LA 888-772-9452
 ∙ Free veterinary services once a month for pets belonging to
homeless families www.hopeveterinarycenter.org  ∙ Free spay/neuter for pets of qualifying residents living in
certain parts of South L.A. www.1800spay4la.org
 Humane Society of Ventura County (Ojai) 805-646-6505 / 805-
656-5031  Starlight Clinic (in Norco, near Pomona, Ontario & Corona)
951-314-6444
 ∙ Low-cost spay/neuter www.karmarescue.org
 ∙ Low-cost spay/neuter and veterinary care.
 Karma Rescue 310-512-7833 (310-512-RUFF) www.starlightclinic.com
 ∙ Free spay/neuter in Compton and South L.A.  Valley Vet Non Profit (Simi Valley) 805-584-3823
www.karmarescue.org
 ∙ Low-cost spay/neuter www.valleyvetnonprofit.com
 Mercy Crusade (Oxnard) 818-597-2926 ∙ Low-cost spay/neuter
clinic in Oxnard www.dogcatfix.com
 North Figueroa Veterinary Clinic (Highland Park) 323-258-8068
 ∙ Low-cost spay/neuter & additional low-cost veterinary
services and surgeries. northfigueroaanimalhospital.com
Current Resources:
Financial Assistance for Veterinary Care
 Actors & Others For Animals 818-755-6045 or 818-755-
6323
 ∙ Services for low-income families only
www.actorsandothers.com
 Animal Health Foundation 800-939-0936
 ∙ Financial aid for urgent medical procedures.
Requests can only be made by your vet.
www.animalhealthfoundation.net
 Animal Welfare Information & Assistance (Monterey
County only) 831-659-2156
 ∙ Financial aid for veterinary care and spay/neuter
services. info@animalwelfare.org
 AVRS (Affordable Vet Referral Service) 714-206-4717
 ∙ Referral system to help pet owners find costly surgeries
for less. www.affordablevetservice.com
 Care Credit 800-677-0718
 ∙ Credit card specifically for veterinary care with
possible no-interest payments. www.carecredit.com
 IMOM (In Memory of Magic) (on-line applications only)
 ∙ Depending on available funding, may be able to
offer financial aide for emergencies. www.imom.org
 ∙ Financial assistance with impending veterinary care.
 Magic Bullet Fund (on-line applications only) ∙ Provides
financial aid to families who cannot afford treatment
for a dog with cancer. www.themagicbulletfund.org 
 OCSPCA (Orange County residents only) 714-964-4445 
 ∙ Vouchers for spay/neuter; limited financial assist for
emergency vet care. orangecountyspca.org
 P.A.W.S./L.A. 323-464-7297 ∙ Free medical care and
other aid for pets of low-income people with chronic
illnesses . www.pawsla.org
 Pet Assistance Foundation 877-772-9738
 ∙ Financial aid for spay/neuter & referrals to low-cost
veterinarians. petassistancefoundation.org
 Pet Orphans of Southern California 818-901-0190 ∙
Financial assistance for emergency veterinary care for
low-income individuals. www.petorphans.org
 Red Rover (on-line applications only)
 ∙ Financial assistance for impending veterinary care
and for emergency boarding. www.redrover.org
 The Onyx & Breezy Foundation 201-782-7400
www.onyxandbreezy.org
The Pet Fund 916-443-6007
∙ Provides financial assistance to owners of domestic
animals for veterinary care. www.thepetfund.com
 United Animal Nations (on-line applications only)
 ∙ Helps with impending emergency veterinary care for
life-threatening conditions. www.uan.org
 Voice for the Animals Foundation 310-392-5153
 ∙ Financial aid for low-income families through their
“Helping Friends” program. www.vftafoundation.org
 Web-based services to post pleas for help
www.chipin.com / www.giveforward.com ∙ Free web-
based services. Users can post free pleas for help &
financial aid. www.gofundme.com
Funding

Fundraisers
Sponsorships
Donors
Grants
Donations
Investors
Long Term

Create a non-profit organization to be able to provide:

 Weekly educational workshops for families on pet care
 Grants for families in need of vet care
 Free/low cost basic vaccines & grooming for low income families
 Advocate for pet therapy for families
 Assist families with legal pet issues
 Large network of people to share resources
 Pet training classes for children
 Excursions for families with their pets
Thank You for Your Time