If you have listened to It's A Vet(Tech)'s Life podcast "Surprise Announcement" you will learn we have decided to pick a charity to collect donations for and donate each month to a different one. We are still in the process of figuring our the specifics but here will discuss each one in detail. To view the website for further information click on the name of the charity.
1. Best Friends Animal Society - In 1984, the founders of Best Friends made a promise to one another and to the animals already in their care that they would build an animal sanctuary in Southern Utah, where they could dedicate their lives to housing and finding homes for unwanted pets while advocating the importance of no kill. At that time, shelters across America routinely killed cats and dogs as the primary method of pet population control. There wasn’t a national voice to end the killing. However, as the founders began to broaden the reach of Best Friends, they quickly learned that others would stand with them. Over 30 years later, they have inspired others throughout the country to take up the mantle of no kill and have helped to reduce the number of animals being killed in shelters by 91 percent.
2. The Ocean Conservancy- OCEAN CONSERVANCY IS WORKING WITH YOU TO PROTECT THE OCEAN FROM TODAY’S GREATEST GLOBAL CHALLENGES. TOGETHER, WE CREATE SCIENCE-BASED SOLUTIONS FOR A HEALTHY OCEAN AND THE WILDLIFE AND COMMUNITIES THAT DEPEND ON IT.
3. Freedom Dogs - Freedom Dogs is a nonprofit organization devoted to serving wounded members of the military who are attempting to return to civilian life. Along with our trainers, our specialty service dogs provide both physical and emotional support, helping wounded warriors to successfully make this challenging transition.
Working closely with the Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton in Southern California, our organization provides custom-trained dogs through two free programs: The Partner Program pairs a dog and trainer team with a warrior to complement rehabilitation and assist in the recovery process. If needed, the Partner for Life Program matches a dog with a warrior for life.
Freedom Dogs is a fully registered 501(c)3 nonprofit. As a totally volunteer organization, no staff or trainers receive compensation for their work in our program.
4. Vanderpump Dogs - The Vanderpump Dog Foundation, founded in 2016, is a 501c3 dog rescue organization, working on both a domestic and international front to help create a better world for dogs globally.
Although we are a Los Angeles based Foundation, our story begins in Yulin, China. After becoming aware of the Yulin Dog Meat Festival and witnessing the horrific images of slaughter and abuse that the dogs in Yulin face, our founders Lisa Vanderpump & Ken Todd began the long journey towards trying to stop the barbaric torture practices in Yulin and end the dog meat trade in Asia. Together with their partner Dr. John Sessa, they launched the campaign Stop Yulin Forever. The movement gained momentum and has inspired activists all over the world to end the Yulin Dog Meat Festival and encourage more humane treatment for dogs worldwide.Â
The Vanderpump Dog Foundation was formed to not only aid in ending this international atrocity, but to also better the lives of dogs domestically. The United States faces many problems of its own including dog overpopulation, abuse, neglect and lack of education with regards to spaying and neutering pets. The Foundation is built on a platform of education, legislation, and activism.
The Vanderpump Dog Foundation has both short and long term goals. Our approach is both pragmatic and political. With grassroots campaigns like free spay/neuter days for rescue pet owners in Los Angeles, to global health studies with the World Health Organization to ban the consumption of dog meat, The Vanderpump Dog Foundation has a multifaceted approach to creating a better world for man’s best friend.
5. Dogs Without Borders - Founded in 2006, Dogs Without Borders is a non profit 501-c-3 rescue organization based in Los Angeles, California. DWB rescues stray and abandoned dogs from local shelters and as far away as Taiwan and Mexico. Spearheaded by Galit Reuben and backed by hard-working, dedicated volunteers, DWB stands behind their dogs offering their clients advice and support for the duration of their dogs’ lives to ensure happy and successful adoptions.Dogs Without Borders does not have a facility and relies solely on foster volunteers to house and care for their rescue dogs until they are adopted. DWB is proud to have placed over 6000 dogs since its inception, and will continue to rescue thousands more with the support of generous donations, fosters, and volunteers. 6. Vet Life - Independent, confidential and free help for everyone in the veterinary community including veterinary nurses and students. Our charity provides a 24/7 phone and email helpline; professional mental health support; financial assistance; information and resources.
7. National Alliance on Mental Illness - NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
What started as a small group of families gathered around a kitchen table in 1979 has blossomed into the nation's leading voice on mental health. Today, we are an association of more than 500 local affiliates who work in your community to raise awareness and provide support and education that was not previously available to those in need.
8. Vested Interest in K9's - Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) non-profit whose mission is to provide bullet and stab-protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the country.
9. The Ddamien Project - A nonprofit org offering a final home to our MWD/CWD/police dogs that would typically not be able to be adopted out due to behavior or medical issues.
10. K9 for Warriors - K9s For Warriors is the nation’s largest provider of service dogs to military veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury and/or Military Sexual Trauma as a result of military service post-9/11. Our program is unique, and no other organization operates like K9s For Warriors. Every warrior that walks through the door is family. We provide them with a Service Canine, equipment, training, certification, seminars, legal instruction, vet care, housing, home cooked meals, unconditional love and listening, and life-time of wrap-around services (including available life-long healthcare for their dogs).
The K9s program is 100% free for the veteran. We have our warriors’ backs.
11. 4 Paws for Ability - 4 Paws for Ability enriches the lives of children with disabilities by training and placing quality, task-trained service dogs. This provides increased independence for the children, and assistance to their families. And 4 Paws also works with veterans from recent conflicts who’ve lost the use of their limbs or their hearing while in active combat. In all cases, the results speak for themselves.
12. Operation Santa Paws - OPERATION SANTA PAWS seeks donated pet toys for shelters and rescues to improve the health and demeanor of those pets while reducing their stress to increase the animals' chances of being adopted. The simplest toys can make the animals much more comfortable. Cats enjoy rolling toys, such as small plastic balls or other "batting" toys that can be hung from cage doors, while dogs tend to prefer items like the heavy-duty Kong rubber chew toy.
Together we can make a difference.
Not Another Vet Nurse