San Juan County old dogs have something to wag their tails about this summer, as The Grey Muzzle Organization announces the recipients of its annual grants, and dogs at Animal Protection Society-Friday Harbor (APS-FH) are among the winners.
The Animal Protection Society in Friday Harbor is one of 90 animal welfare groups chosen from 370 applicants to receive a grant to help local senior dogs. The winning groups received $848,000 in grants to help save or improve the lives of at-risk old dogs in their communities.
The Grey Muzzle Organization grant will help Animal Protection Society-Friday Harbor (APS-FH) provide care and treatment for senior dogs in need, preparing them for their best next home.
The grant will help many dogs like nine-year-old Princess, who came to APS-FH via an emergency relief transport flight from an overcrowded Louisiana shelter. At APS-FH, she was spayed, underwent several diagnostic tests, had multiple biopsies on mammary masses, was given treatment for parasites and ear infections, and received a thorough dental including many tooth extractions. After completing treatment and gaining 10 pounds, Princess was adopted into a wonderful home.
Grey Muzzle funding will also help APS-FH expand our “Community Pet Support Services” to keep senior dogs in their homes. New services include a fund to help low-income families afford lifesaving medical and dental care for their senior dogs, (at least) two annual Community Pet Wellness Clinics, and short-term emergency housing for the pets of families experiencing temporary transition or crisis. Services will be offered in collaboration with several local human service organizations providing referrals.
This grant will help us give senior dogs like 9-year-old Princess the veterinary and dental care they need so they’ll be ready to go to their forever homes. And will help us provide community pets with support services that will support keeping them in their homes and with their families. No one is more grateful or loving than an old dog, and we’re looking forward to helping more senior dogs get the second chance they all deserve.
Over the past 15 years, the national nonprofit Grey Muzzle Organization has provided more than $4.6 million in grants to support its vision of “a world where no old dog dies alone and afraid.”
Princess is one of many wonderful senior dogs that receive care and are placed into loving homes by APS-FH. For more information, please visit www.apsfh.com or call (360) 378-2158.
“Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we’re delighted to help deserving organizations like Animal Protection Society-Friday Harbor make a difference in the lives of dogs and people in their communities,” Grey Muzzle’s Executive Director Lisa Lunghofer said. “Many senior dogs in the San Juan County are enjoying their golden years in loving homes thanks to the wonderful work of APS-FH”.
The national nonprofit The Grey Muzzle Organization improves the lives of at-risk senior dogs by providing funding and resources to animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, and other nonprofit groups nationwide. For details, please visit www.greymuzzle.org.