Jacksonville Humane Society: Senior Pet Adoption Assistance Grant Report

How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?

The Jacksonville Humane Society (JHS) received a $1,000 grant from the Petfinder Foundation to help support the post-adoption care of one of our long-stay senior pets, Apollo. By offering to cover the cost of Apollo’s medication for a year, JHS could find him a new, loving home more easily and continue to provide care to other animals in need.

How many pets did this grant help?

1

Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.

Apollo first came to JHS in January of 2024 when his family could no longer care for him after struggling with his skin condition. After examinations by the JHS veterinary team, we found that Apollo likely had allergies that were contributing to his overall discomfort. Our veterinary team started him on Apoquel to help with his symptoms and it significantly improved his quality of life.

Despite his skin issues, he was a lovable 10-year-old dog with the biggest smile in the shelter. On this medication, he began living a great life and enjoyed meeting new people, spending time in our educational camps, and lounging in the sun. Unfortunately, even with his loving personality, the cost of his medication was one of the reasons Apollo was overlooked for so long.

One day, after seeing Apollo’s big smile on Facebook, an adopter came in to meet him. They met with an adoption counselor where they discussed all Apollo’s wonderful traits and his skin condition. They were worried about the cost of his allergy medication, but were relieved to learn that, thanks to the Petfinder Foundation, his medication would be paid for! They were so happy to bring Apollo home and he now has what every dog wants – a couch to retire on.