Dear friends of Animal Aid,
News about the Coronavirus and actions to address the pandemic have and will continue to reshape the world we live in. These are undeniably difficult and stressful times, and our hearts go out to everyone whose life has been overturned by this health crisis.
Now more than ever, our spirits are bolstered by the outpouring of compassion and selflessness we’re witnessing across the globe: Individuals and companies utilizing their online platforms to provide information, resources, and laughter at a time when all three are essential; neighbors connecting with one another to share supplies or offer assistance with grocery shopping, dog walking, and other everyday tasks; our community reaching out to us to ask, How are the animals doing? What items does the shelter need? How can I help?
Thank you for keeping homeless animals in your heart—especially in times like these, your support is the difference between life and death for some companion pets.
We also want to acknowledge that each person’s capacity to give right now looks a little different, which is why we’ve compiled a few options for how you can assist Animal Aid from the safety and comfort of your home:
Make a monetary donation & see it matched now through April 30!
With one of our largest fundraisers and many additional events now cancelled for 2020, operational revenue is one of our greatest shortfalls at the moment. Your contribution today allows us the flexibility to address whatever animal care or operations needs arise in the coming months.
We are also extremely grateful to announce that, because of the generosity of two of our supporters, we have a fundraising match opportunity: Now through April 30, all donations up to $5,000 will be matched! That means, with your help, we can raise $10,000 and begin recuperating critical funding that might otherwise be lost.
Donations can be made online here or by mail to our shelter at 5335 SW 42nd Ave, Portland, OR 97221.
Become a sponsor of our Heartstrings Pets or Animal Aid Cares Fund
Our Heartstrings program provides our longer-term, higher-needs adoptables with a wide variety of care during their stay with us, while our Animal Aid Cares Fund assists the community’s companion animals with urgent medical or behavioral care through a partnership with Portland veterinary and behavior clinics.
You can learn more about both programs and begin your sponsorship by visiting our Heartstrings webpage here and our Cares Fund webpage here.
Connect Animal Aid to your Fred Meyer Rewards & AmazonSmile
It’s a short and simple online process for both companies, and it means whenever you shop, you’re helping homeless animals as well! For additional information about these giving platforms, click here.
Leave us a review on Google, Yelp, or Facebook
Whether you’ve adopted an animal from us, visited our shelter, attended an event, or connected with us in another way, sharing your pawsitive experience is so helpful to both us and the public. During times like this, it’s like a virtual hug!
Collect your cans & bottles for bottledrop give
Animal Aid participates in BottleDrop’s fundraising program, BottleDrop Give. Once it’s time for all of us to come out of hibernation, our blue BottleDrop bags will be available at the shelter: Fill a bag with the cans and bottles you’ve saved, drop it off at any BottleDrop redemption center, and that’s 10 cents per can you’ve just given to animals in need!
While it’s true that our work has been altered by COVID-19, it hasn’t stopped. In fact, at a time when good news can feel especially vital for our collective well-being, we’re thrilled to share a few of our recent happy tails:
Tigger: If you visited Animal Aid this past December or January, you probably remember our most recent lobby cat: At roughly 15 years old, partly deaf, partly blind, and all sweetness, Tigger left an impression on everyone he met. When we took him in, we were honest with ourselves that our shelter might be the home for his remaining years. Luckily for Tigger, he hit the jackpot, wiggling his way onto the lap and into the heart of his new mom, someone who is no stranger to rescuing senior cats and dogs and spoiling them with a fully enclosed catio, only the best treats, and all of her attention.
Dot: Some of you may have read our spotlight story about Dot last fall, including her arrival at Animal Aid from a cat colony under threat in Los Angeles and all of the progress she made in adapting to life in close proximity to humans. We’re overjoyed to share that, after more than two years at our shelter, Dot found her special home this March with a woman who has another shy cat, knows how to take things slow, and will appreciate Dot for who she is. Dot has come so far since we first met her, and we’re so excited that she’s begun her next big adventure.
Pippa: Finding your match isn’t only true when it comes to adoption, it can also be true when it comes to rescue. Young, active, smart, and adoring, Pippa nevertheless found herself shuffled between a number of homes and shelters due to an unresolved anxiety disorder and subsequent inappropriate urination. Thankfully, our animal care team was able to find the type of medication that allowed Pippa to be a less anxious version of her same sweet self, which also put an end to her urinary problems. Now, Pippa has headed home, with fewer worries and lots of love in her future.
It’s because of our entire community of supporters that we were able to be there for Tigger, Dot, Pippa, and so many others this past year and beyond. To say that we rely on your contributions is an understatement: 96% of our annual funding is derived from the generosity of individual donors like you, helping us to navigate a path forward in the lives of animals in need.
And please don’t forget: We’re always only a phone call or email away. In uncertain times, staying connected with each other is critical to maintain mental and emotional health. If you need advice, or help finding resources, or just want to share some good mews and pupdates about your Animal Aid alum or other furry family members, we want to hear from you!
Wishing you and your loved ones safety, health, and happiness in the months to come.
Warmly,