Animal Welfare Professionals

Hi All -  I'm looking for ideas in what people do when their foster parent wants to adopt a long stay pet, but can't afford their monthly care? In our case, the monthly care of April, a 6 year old pitbull who has bad allergies requires monthly Cytopoint and daily apoquel to keep her allergies in check. April has been in foster care for 2 years without one single adoption application. April loves humans but not a fan of other dogs, and has prey drive so cats are out.

Our foster has been great and loves her deeply, but can't afford the monthly (about $300) expense for allergy medication, and this dog would obviously not qualify for pet insurance.

Any innovative programs out there where we can keep pets in foster homes as forever pets without funding their care for the rest of their lives?

Would love any thoughts on this topic! Thank you!

#AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms

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Melissa Lisbon
Co-Founder and CEO
Silicon Valley Pet Project
San Jose
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Hi, We have actually had this scenario a few times. One was such a difficult to place dog due  to behavior and the dog was thriving at the foster's that it was worth it for us to pay for the dogs care.

But try this...there are many animal lovers out there that cannot have a dog for various reasons or want to help but want to know directly what impact there donation will have. Put out a call/plea for a virtual dog guardian/s that have the means to pay for  the monthly support or share the monthly support with another virtual dog guardian/s to ensure this dog stays right where he is.  Pull  at heartstrings about his situation and the unlikelihood he will ever get adopted. 

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Mary Lou Maraganis
President
Animal Rescue Konnection
Gloucester MA
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Thanks Mary Lou - I like the idea of a virtual dog guardian that pays for monthly support!

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Melissa Lisbon
Co-Founder and CEO
Silicon Valley Pet Project
San Jose
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-28-2024 11:35 AM
From: Mary Lou Maraganis
Subject: Long stay large dogs - foster would adopt if could afford!

Hi, We have actually had this scenario a few times. One was such a difficult to place dog due  to behavior and the dog was thriving at the foster's that it was worth it for us to pay for the dogs care.

But try this...there are many animal lovers out there that cannot have a dog for various reasons or want to help but want to know directly what impact there donation will have. Put out a call/plea for a virtual dog guardian/s that have the means to pay for  the monthly support or share the monthly support with another virtual dog guardian/s to ensure this dog stays right where he is.  Pull  at heartstrings about his situation and the unlikelihood he will ever get adopted. 

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Mary Lou Maraganis
President
Animal Rescue Konnection
Gloucester MA
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Hi,

What a cutie!  I also love the idea of guardian fund that donors can contribute to on a monthly basis.  Could you have a webpage that lists the dogs that need sponsoring and  people could either donate to an individual dog or the general fund? e.g., i could envision (for example) four dogs on the page. You'd have April listed with her monthly support cost.  A donor could either sign up to be a monthly donor for her, a different dog, or you could donate to the general fund (lump sum or monthly).    The other option would be crowd fundraising, but this other idea seems better for long term fundraising. Love it!

 Sheila

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Sheila Segurson, DVM, DACVB
Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist
Director of Community Solutions
Maddie's Fund
Pleasanton CA
9258608284
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Thanks Sheila - really appreciate your response! 

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Melissa Lisbon
Co-Founder and CEO
Silicon Valley Pet Project
San Jose
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-29-2024 04:53 PM
From: Sheila Segurson (she/her)
Subject: Long stay large dogs - foster would adopt if could afford!

Hi,

What a cutie!  I also love the idea of guardian fund that donors can contribute to on a monthly basis.  Could you have a webpage that lists the dogs that need sponsoring and  people could either donate to an individual dog or the general fund? e.g., i could envision (for example) four dogs on the page. You'd have April listed with her monthly support cost.  A donor could either sign up to be a monthly donor for her, a different dog, or you could donate to the general fund (lump sum or monthly).    The other option would be crowd fundraising, but this other idea seems better for long term fundraising. Love it!

 Sheila

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Sheila Segurson, DVM, DACVB
Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist
Director of Community Solutions
Maddie's Fund
Pleasanton CA
9258608284
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Hi Melissa,

How wonderful the foster has made a connection with this sweet furry! Has anyone looked into any grants for pet owners that can help with financial aid with medical issues? I've noticed as I am searching for grants for our rescue that grants are available for pet owners to help with costs. Another idea is to write out April's story and send to a contact at one of the drug companies to see if they can provide funding. Perhaps the vet hospital the rescue uses would have a contact through the drug rep who services the vet practice. 

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Tracey Ruddy
Adoption Coordinator
American Lab Rescue
CT
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Melissa, this dog is precious! I think hitting this situation from a multi-valent approach would be most beneficial. 

April is a stunningly beautiful dog.! It is great that she has a caring foster home. It's wonderful that Zoetis, the company that distributes Cytopoint and Apoquel, has a rewards program (click here) that may assist a bit.

Also, purchasing at Costco usually beats other retail pharmacy prices and can be used in tandem with the rewards program. Alternatively, you may be able to have your Vet assist you in purchasing at their cost instead of retail.

Please don't shut that door on reputable pet insurance as an aid. I'd consider looking into a GOOD pet insurance policy because while it probably won't cover these allergies as they are a pre-existing condition, there are so many other medical issues that can and will happen to a 6-year-old dog in the next couple of years. If April needed a TPLO surgery or developed Mast Cell Cancer (God forbid) money could be an issue. If the insurance paid 70, 80, or 90% of the bills for the new diagnosis, then it isn't financially devastating for me. I was the medical foster and then adopter of a well-publicized, felony animal cruelty case dog in which the dog will have significant medical needs for the rest of his life. So that I don't go further into debt (he needs special food and care too), I was fortunate to have the support of a local non-profit in the form of them paying his monthly insurance premium. I researched many insurance companies, chose the highest-rated company (at the time), and opted for 90% coverage. That non-profit has used the dog's story, image, merchandise sales, and events to help the np fund this assistance. His bills have been astronomical at times and I would have potentially made any really difficult decision about his care due to not having unlimited funds. 

I hope that these ideas help you find April her forever home!

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Megan Alexander
Pit Bull Rescue Central, https://www.pbrc.net
"where education meets rescue"
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Melissa,

I totally agree with Dr.  Segurson's recommendation of crowdfunding.  There is also an organization set up specifically for this: Waggle.org. 

Previously, I donated to a Go Fund Me campaign for a dog named Fiona who had Cushing's Disease and her monthly treatment was similarly $$.

Although she has now (sadly) passed her "mom" raised $20,000+

So many people gave to help--a donation makes one feel like they are helping even if they cannot provide the home.

Interestingly April looks a lot like Fiona!!

Good luck and let us know!!

Susan Murphy

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Susan Murphy
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Melissa, let us know what worked. it would be beneficial for all of us to know.

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Mary Lou Maraganis
President
Animal Rescue Konnection
Gloucester MA
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-08-2024 05:49 AM
From: Susan Murphy
Subject: Long stay large dogs - foster would adopt if could afford!

Melissa,

I totally agree with Dr.  Segurson's recommendation of crowdfunding.  There is also an organization set up specifically for this: Waggle.org. 

Previously, I donated to a Go Fund Me campaign for a dog named Fiona who had Cushing's Disease and her monthly treatment was similarly $$.

Although she has now (sadly) passed her "mom" raised $20,000+

So many people gave to help--a donation makes one feel like they are helping even if they cannot provide the home.

Interestingly April looks a lot like Fiona!!

Good luck and let us know!!

Susan Murphy

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Susan Murphy
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