WASHINGTON — The Humane Society of the United States is pleased to announce the first round of grants awarded from a special fund created in March to assist local shelters and rescue organizations during the foreclosure and financial crisis currently affecting the nation.
"With these grants, The Humane Society of the United States can help alleviate some of the burden that has been added to the already heavy load that local shelters and rescue organizations must bear due to foreclosures, rising prices and tighter budgets," said Stephanie Shain, director of outreach for Companion Animals at The HSUS.
The nation's largest animal protection organization created the fund as a reaction to a sharp increase reported by shelters in the number of families who can't afford to keep or feed their pets.
"Because of the growing number of people leaving their pets behind as they are faced with financial crisis, The Humane Society of the United States decided to step up and offer shelters and rescue groups another resource to help them deal with the consequences of this economic downturn," said Shain. "We are thankful to all our members and corporate supporters like Pilot Travel Centers for the generosity they've shown to this effort."
The HSUS is offering grants ranging from $500 to $2,000 per organization. To be eligible for a grant, an organization must be a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit or a municipal animal control agency eligible to receive restricted funds. Preference is given to organizations that have a cooperative agreement with other agencies in their community such as a food bank or other community service agency.
The first 11 awardees, selected from a pool of almost 70 initial applicants across the country, are:
- Stray Rescue of St. Louis, St. Louis, Mo.
- Oregon Outback Humane Society, Lakeview, Ore.
- A Purrfect World, Bloomfield, N.J.
- The Dodge County Humane Society, Inc, Beaver Dam, Wis.
- Paws With Pride Animal Rescue, Uniontown, Ohio
- Community Partnership for Pets, Flat Rock, N.C.
- Spay Neuter Indiana Pets, Inc., Martinsville, Ind.
- Humane Society of Westmoreland County, Greensburg, Pa.
- Forget Me Not Animal Shelter, Republic, Wash.
- Roanoke Valley SPCA, Roanoke, Va.
- Monroe County Animal League, Inc., Union, W.Va
Donations to this important grant fund to keep people and their pets together can be made at humanesociety.org/foreclosurepets. Those wishing to mail in a donation can send it to The HSUS at 2100 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037. Donors should note "Foreclosure Fund" in the memo portion of their check.
Organizations interested in applying for a grant can read more about the fund and apply at animalsheltering.org/foreclosurepets.
-30-
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.
