Saving pets: Program lends hand to low-income animal owners ❤

[Judi Lynn]

Andrea Smith, Associated Press Updated 8:59 am CDT, Wednesday, September 18, 2019



ATLANTA (AP) — Of all the animals peering sadly through the cage bars of shelters across the country, 25% of them once had an owner who gave them up for one reason or another, according to national statistics.

Those who did because they could no longer afford a pet have been getting some help over the past decade from a program operated by The Humane Society United States that provides food, medical care and other support.

Launched in 2010, the Pets for Life program now operates in at least 27 cities and towns, including Atlanta, where it began in 2012. The program provides free or low-cost veterinarian services, supplies and food. It also has provided about 100,000 free surgeries to spay and neuter animals. Animal welfare organizations advocate spaying and neutering to reduce pet overpopulation.

Pets for Life is helping animal owners "by allowing them to keep the pets in their homes even if they're going through a hard time, and it's keeping the pets out of the shelters," said Lizzy Trawick, a program outreach coordinator in Atlanta.

More:
https://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Saving-pets-Program-lends-hand-to-low-income-14449034.php

[exboyfil]

1. Keeping pets healthy is insanely expensive

It could very well be my largest discretionary expense. Of course failure to do everything recommended can lead to disaster (my SIL experienced that by bringing in a kitten that had feline leukemia - her other two cats were infected. She spends a considerable amount on medical treatments for her cats, but she thought that being indoor cats that they would not need the vaccination).

I love my two dogs and cat, but they are the last animals that I will assume responsibility for. Paying for the diabetes medication for my wife will be a higher priority.

[emmaverybo]

2. So glad you posted this. I just encountered it today and was very excited.

[CurtEastPoint]

3. we are SO FORTUNATE in Atlanta to have LifeLine. They run the 2 biggest counties' shelters

and clinics for low cost neuter/spay.

I run a TNR org. and since we began in 2017 (gagme I incorporated while Orange Pusbag was being inaugurated) we have trapped, neutered and returned (and subsequently cared for) OR adopted out over 300 cats. They charge us $25/for F or M: fix, rabies, distemper, tattoo, eartip.

I cannot say enough good about LifeLine.

PLUS they have brought the euthanasia rate WAY down in Fulton and DeKalb counties

[spinbaby]

4. $25 is pretty good

Our local low-cost service is $45 for the same service. Cats only and they can do only about 30 a week.