Need Your Support

Dear Friends,

This is a picture of Patrick, a 3-month old puppy at the Franklin County Dog Shelter. Patrick needed surgical repair of a severely fractured leg. His surgery was successful and Patrick is now recuperating in the off-site infirmary. Fortunately for Patrick, he came to the attention of the Friends of the Shelter (FOTS) on January 29, just last Friday. But unfortunately, Patrick is the last dog that will receive medical/surgical and recuperative kennel care through FOTS without your immediate support.

The difficult economic climate of 2009 has negatively impacted our overall donations. At the same time more dogs came to the Shelter in need of FOTS-funded medical services. Due to a critical shortage of funds, FOTS has regretfully informed Shelter administrators and Franklin County officials that as of Monday February 1, Friends of the Shelter cannot financially support any additional shelter dogs to be transferred to the Off-Site Infirmary Care Program, nor receive any other FOTS funded medical services.

FOTS needs to raise funds immediately to restart the funding for life-saving medical care for Franklin County dogs. In order to prevent further interruptions in medical services, FOTS seeks to raise $50,000 by March 1.

On an average month, FOTS spends nearly $15,000 for medical care that includes: x-rays and other diagnostic services; medicine and infirmary care for the treatment of kennel cough and heartworm, surgical repair of orthopedic injuries; as well as off-site boarding for the sick and injured animals. We sincerely appreciate the generosity of your support over past months, but unfortunately at this time, our reserves have been depleted and we can only continue to fund dogs like Patrick, who are already enrolled in the program.

This medical care made available to Shelter dogs is not funded by tax dollars. These services that have saved the lives of over 400 shelter dogs last year alone are financially supported only through your generous donations to Friends of the Shelter

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP:

Your support will help re-establish Friends of the Shelter's life-saving programs, so that dogs like Patrick, have opportunity for a healthy, happy new life. Make a donation to Friends of the Shelter today. Spread the word by asking your dog-loving friends, neighbors and co-workers to do so, too. Donations can be made through our donations page or by mail to:

Every penny of every gift matters. As an all-volunteer organization, Friends of the Shelter assures that your financial gift is being used as you intended....helping a needy Shelter dog. Thank you in advance for your generous gift to help us reach our goal of $50,000 by March 1.

Sincerely,

Friends of the Shelter Volunteer Team