Mary Ann Morris Animal Society: Disaster Response and Recovery Grant Report

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

We were able to replace valuable vaccinations for our shelter dogs and puppies after we lost power for three days and the vaccines, which need to be refrigerated, went bad. The new vaccines allowed us to bring 25 dogs up to date when they were brought in by animal control. Eighteen out of the 25 dogs were adopted the other seven were returned to their owners fully vaccinated.

How many pets did this grant help?

25

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

Dell, Dobbs, and Pier (photos 1-3), three lovable Great Pyrenees puppies, were among a litter of seven that had been surrendered to our shelter after their owners could no longer care for them. These sweet, fluffy pups were full of energy and curiosity, their large paws clumsily exploring their new environment. Each one had their own personality — Dell was the quiet observer, Dobbs was the mischievous troublemaker, and Pier, the biggest of the bunch, was the gentle giant who loved to snuggle.

But their journey was about to take an unexpected turn.

Just as we were getting ready to vaccinate the puppies and start the process of finding them forever homes, disaster struck. A powerful hurricane hit our area, bringing heavy rains, high winds, and widespread power outages. The shelter lost power for days, and in the chaos, all of the vaccines we had stored in the fridge — the vaccines that could protect these pups from dangerous diseases — were lost. It was a devastating blow, especially considering how many puppies and adult dogs were relying on those vaccines to stay healthy.

In the wake of the storm, we were left with no choice but to scramble for solutions. And that’s when we received a lifeline from the Petfinder Foundation. Thanks to a grant from the Foundation, we were able to replace all of the vaccines that had been lost in the storm, ensuring that Dell, Dobbs, Pier, and their littermates could receive the life-saving immunizations they needed to stay safe and healthy.

With the new vaccines administered, Dell, Dobbs, and Pier began to thrive. They grew stronger, healthier, and more confident, and soon their playful personalities shone through. Dell’s quiet nature made him the perfect companion for anyone looking for a calm, gentle dog, while Dobbs’ adventurous spirit won over every visitor who walked through the door. Pier, the largest and fluffiest of the three, became a gentle giant whom everyone adored.

One by one, each of the puppies found their perfect family. Dell was adopted by a couple who had recently lost their senior dog and were looking for a new companion to fill the void. Dobbs went to a family with young children who loved his boundless energy and playful nature. And Pier, the gentle giant, found his home with a couple who lived on a farm and were looking for a dog to guard their animals and keep them company.

But none of this would have been possible without the Petfinder Foundation grant, which allowed us to replace the life-saving vaccines that made it all possible. Thanks to this generous support, Dell, Dobbs, and Pier were all given a second chance at life — one where they are healthy, safe, and loved by their forever families.