A Year of Giving

Season’s Greetings!  We wish you and your family a joyful holiday season.

This year Shelter Our Pets helped keep many cats, dogs and other domestic pets and their owners safe from domestic violence. By providing a temporary safe haven for their pets, owners can courageously flee an abusive situation and rebuild their lives.

Message_1448835178851We could not provide this service without the help of the board, dedicated volunteers and the foster families that generously welcomed the pets in their homes. Although the “season of giving” is currently upon us and will be over before we know it, foster families gave to the community this entire year by caring for pets and owners in need, and will continue to do so in the new year. Battered women’s shelters are often unable to provide services for victims’ pets, creating a high demand for foster homes.

“Thank goodness Shelter Our Pets steps in,” says Lill Corcoran, Associate Executive Director at the Center for Hope and Safety, “By fostering pets until an abused family can begin a new life, it gives abused family members time to heal and start a new home were they can be reunited with their pets in an abuse-free home.” Pet and owner reunions this year were a heartwarming reminder of the importance of services provided by Shelter Our Pets.

 

 

Thank You for Keeping My Pet Safe

A thankful message from one of Shelter Our Pet’s clients.

I was very stressed out and worried wondering were my cat would end up hoping she would be in a good home if I couldn’t keep her, because of my situation of being homeless.  Shelter Our Pets made it possible to keep my cat until I got back on my feet. Shelter Our Pets kept me updated every week with information about my cat which made me feel happy to know she was safe and that one day I would see her again.

Now that I have gotten back on my feet and reunited with my cat I couldn’t be happier. She’s my companion. She’s very healthy and playful.

Thank you for keeping my pet safe. Thank you for caring and thank you for existing.

God bless.

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Here is a photo of a few of our board members and all the donations the survivor received to help care for her pet.

 

Shelter Our Pets Program a Life Saver

Earlier this year, Shelter Our Pets helped care for the pet of a domestic abuse victim. Thanks to wonderful foster families, this sweet and jovial fella got tons of love and care and was returned to his owner a few months later. We just got this thankful note from the owner, with permission to share it along with some photos.

The snow didn't stop this guy from playing fetch with his foster family!
The snow didn’t stop this guy from playing fetch with his foster family!

“The shelter our pets program was a life saver for me and my dog. They helped us get through some rough times, though it was hard to part with him for a time being. When he was returned to me, I think our bond got even stronger. The associates that work and volunteer for the program they made it an fairly simple easy process. As well as keeping me up to date throughout the time I was in the program. If it wasn’t for them and their caring personality, I probably wouldn’t still have my dog now.  Thank you, Shelter Our Pets program!!!!”

Reunion day.  Waiting to go home.
Reunion day. Waiting to go home.

If you believe in our mission to keep abuse victims and their beloved animals together, support us now by making a donation to our program.  Your contribution will go directly toward our foster program providing food, medical care, equipment and supplies for the pets of abuse victims.  Help us protect them by giving today!

Update on Carrie and Her Dogs

Here’s an update on Carrie, a woman who is staying at an area shelter with her 16 year old daughter and two dogs.

Thursday afternoon Carrie’s two dogs, Star and D.O.G. were seen by Dr. Silberman at Tri-County Animal Hospital in Wayne, NJ.  Both dogs received an exam, heart worm tests and vaccinations thanks to the generosity of three Companion Animal Advocates board members who made personal donations.  The dogs will now be able to be boarded if necessary.Carrie wrote to us saying “…due to the generosity of Shelter Our Pets, D.O.G. and Star were able to be seen at Tri-County Animal Hospital.  The doctor [Silberman] and his assistant Erin could not have been more warm and caring.  Star’s bear attack wounds are healing well and she was given her distemper vaccination.  D.O.G. on the other hand was examined for his back right leg which he has been having trouble walking on.  The doctor gave us the extremely sad news that D.O.G. has a Torn Cranial Cruciate Ligament.  D.O.G. lives for running around and horseplay, so as you can imagine the news shattered my heart.  The doctor said that the surgery that D.O.G. requires is $2500.  He said that if he doesn’t have the surgery he will eventually be a three legged dog.”   Carrie continued,  “They also provided us with a bag full of treats and nutritional supplements for both pets.”  According to Carrie, Tri-County staff member Erin is donating dry food and the hospital is donating a dose of Frontline for the dogs.Companion Animal Advocates, a nonprofit organization, just donated a case of soft food for Star who is thirteen years old and can not chew dry food.  They also generously donated a full year supply of Frontline and Heartguard for the animals.Carrie adds in her email, “We are so grateful for all of your love and continued support.  The dogs tummies are filled once again this morning with their generously donated food and are in good spirits.”Shelter Our Pets just incorporated this week and is now accepting donations by check.  The organization will be applying for 501c3 status.  You can click on the Donate button on this blog for more information.Carrie left us with these words, “I have never felt so encouraged by a group of people. Thank you so very much, [Shelter Our Pets] for your genuine love, care and support. My puppies didn’t ask to be in this tough situation. We are so fortunate to have Shelter Our Pets on our side. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! Thank you for seeing how important they are to us and loving us through this difficult time.”

A Thank You!

“Star and D.O.G. are resting after a day full of eating their wonderful food and playing until they were pooped!  I don’t know what I would do without the help of the loving women at [area shelter] and Shelter Our Pets.  Thank you with all of my heart, Carrie.”

One of the dogs wearing a donated car harness.
“Our situation is unique, but I know there are other families are going through difficult times keeping their pets as well.  God bless Shelter Our Pets!  God Bless [area shelter]!” 

*Shelter name undisclosed and client name changed.