ROAR Donofrio Family Animal Shelter: Sponsor a Pet Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
The money was and is being used to offset medical costs for the care of the pets for our veterans. Our first pet match needed help to pay for medical bills for his dog, Aliana. Because we have a fund for medical costs, not only were we able help pay for the unexpected medical costs incurred, we also were and are able to pay for preventative care and well-visit check-ups, which reduces stress for our returning veterans but also keeps the pets healthy and up-to-date on all vaccinations and medical needs.
Your grant allows us to keep the pets that we adopt out healthy. We are able to make sure all our pets are completely current and up-to-date with their vaccinations and all medical needs, as well as preventative medicines. We are able to help with long-term care for the pets, offset the yearly costs of medical costs incurred to care for a pet, and, most importantly, help when an unexpected medical issue arises -- which happened with Charlie and Aliana. Many of our veterans suffer from PTSD and stress and anxiety. When we told Charlie that we had the funds to treat Aliana, it was lifesaving on both ends.
How many pets did this grant help?
To date, we have completed two pet-veteran matches. We are currently looking for two more dogs to rescue and place with deserving veterans. Our goal is to help at least 6-8 veterans per year.
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
Charlie adopted Aliana through our Pets for Vets program. Although Aliana was completely up-to-date on all her vaccinations, she got sick suddenly and Charlie was questioning whether he could properly care for her and financially afford her care. Through your grant, we are able to give Charlie preventative medications for Aliana’s medical care. She has helped him so much with his PTSD. Not only has your grant taken away the worry about expensive, unexpected and long-term care, but Charlie also knows we are there to help him keep Aliana healthy. Charlie has said that not only have we saved a rescue dog, we have saved a Marine as well.
