Houston SPCA: COVID-19 Operation Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
We used these funds for additional cleaning products and other unanticipated supplies which arose due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, we purchased disinfectant, face masks, gowns, and shoe coverings.
While we initially “cleared the shelter” in March, our 24/7 injured-animal rescue ambulance reports are up by 43%. In April 2020, we received 400 cats by ambulance, more than double our busiest month ever. Our average is 134 per month, and the highest number ever recorded was 189 cats in a month.
Animal-cruelty investigators are protecting the most vulnerable victims of abuse and neglect. We have seen a 31% increase in cases. Since mid-March, there have been 187 cases of animal abandonment alone.
It is critical now more than ever that Houston SPCA maintains a safe and clean environment for the 5,127 animals in our care (from May 1 through July 23, 2020), the staff who care for them, and the families that are adopting them. The Petfinder Foundation helped us enhance our safety procedures as recommended by the CDC.
How many pets did this grant help?
5,127
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
Houston SPCA rescued Shawna, a 1-year-old Chihuahua mix, from an animal-hoarding situation. She was heartworm-positive, covered in mange, and had a skin infection as well as dental issues. Shawna spent a few weeks in the Houston SPCA Medical Center receiving treatment. With this grant, we were able to purchase disinfectant, face masks, gowns, and shoe coverings to ensure that our staff could safely care for Shawna and all of the animals on campus and those who adopt them.
Once she was healthy enough to recuperate outside of the Medical Center, Shawna spent two months with a foster mom. During this time, Shawna made many friends, both furry and human. She met her new best pal, Buddy, a German shepherd who lived a few doors down. During a visit to her pal’s home, Buddy’s human grandmother fell in love with Shawna. She adopted Shawna, renamed her Selene, and Selene is now undergoing heartworm treatment in her new home. Buddy visits with Selene whenever he gets the chance to do so.
