Make a difference for your neighbors and their pets
Emergency Pet Care Program's mission is to provide a network of care for the pets of
Cape Cod and South Shore residents in need
Emergency Pet Care Program's mission is to provide a network of care for the pets of
Cape Cod and South Shore residents in need
In 2021 there were approximately 86 people living on the streets or at a camp site on Cape Cod. Thirty five people were living in their car and 34 people were living in a shelter. The median age was 50 years old, but 25 people were over 65 years old. Twenty five people were actually employed. The Pandemic and housing crisis has made this already heartbreaking problem even worse.
For many, their pets are often the only stable and reliable companionship, and permanently surrendering them because facilities such as shelters or motels will not allow their best friends to join them can be overwhelming. Unfortunately, many are forced to make that decision with just a moment's notice. This can be traumatic, and as a result, many choose to live outside or in cars with their pets. This leaves them at higher risk and more vulnerable in many ways. For those who agree to give their pets up, the animals often end up in a shelter where there is limited space and there is no money to care for them. This cycle also puts more stress on our shelters and rescues which are already overburdened with unwanted pets.
There is currently no official emergency program in place on Cape Cod for people in need, or organizations and individuals who are doing their best to assist, and the struggle for all involved can be serious. Each time it is an urgent and chaotic process to find a way to care for the person in emotional or physical need, as well as do their best to find a place for their pets. Often, as mentioned, no help is found in time and the pets must be permanently surrendered.
The answer to making a difference for these people and their pets is easy: working together!!
We have set up a Facebook Group titled Cape Cod and South Shore Emergency Pet Care Connection which allows people to sign up for help, and to provide their help. If you would like to assist in some way, but do not have access to Facebook, please let me know and I will be happy to share to the Page for you to get you. If you would like to foster, or are in need of help, but do not feel comfortable posting on Faceboook, please contact me via the link below to provide your information and I will get you in contact with the others who may help.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fostering is the number one need, but if you can provide any of the other services below, please do post to the Page as well:
Reliable boarding facilities and fosters provide time for the individuals to relax and think clearly. It provides opportunity to have a more coherent conversation about their options and their future. If given this time, it can prevent a mental health crisis and additional trauma. It can save both the individual and pet's lives.
Rescues and shelters provide extra space and care if there are no fosters available. This also gives the client a sense of peace while they work through a plan for the future.
Veterinarians provide assistance in ensuring that the pets are as healthy as possible so that they can be returned to their owners in decent condition. Much of the time pets are not up to date on vaccines or have other ailments that have gone untreated because of the lack of funds, or other difficulties.
Trainers can provide a little help with any simple behavioral issues so that when the pet is returned to their owner both have a plan to ensure that life is a little easier.
Groomers can make a pet that may have not had something simple as a bath or nail trim in quite a while feel so much better!
Transporters provide important assistance to everyone by ensuring the pets are where they need to be and allow the other Partners to have more time to do their work.
Donors can provide funds and items which can be used to help pets while they are in foster care, or when back with their owners.
And because there is a housing crisis on Cape Cod, as there is across the country, Housing Assistance Corporation's Workforce Housing Relief Fund and Homelessness Prevention is an important part of the big picture. The ability for people to find a stable, safe and affordable home IS the ultimate goal. We urge everyone to visit the site to learn more!
For many, their pets are often the only stable and reliable companionship, and permanently surrendering them because facilities such as shelters or motels will not allow their best friends to join them can be overwhelming. Unfortunately, many are forced to make that decision with just a moment's notice. This can be traumatic, and as a result, many choose to live outside or in cars with their pets. This leaves them at higher risk and more vulnerable in many ways. For those who agree to give their pets up, the animals often end up in a shelter where there is limited space and there is no money to care for them. This cycle also puts more stress on our shelters and rescues which are already overburdened with unwanted pets.
There is currently no official emergency program in place on Cape Cod for people in need, or organizations and individuals who are doing their best to assist, and the struggle for all involved can be serious. Each time it is an urgent and chaotic process to find a way to care for the person in emotional or physical need, as well as do their best to find a place for their pets. Often, as mentioned, no help is found in time and the pets must be permanently surrendered.
The answer to making a difference for these people and their pets is easy: working together!!
We have set up a Facebook Group titled Cape Cod and South Shore Emergency Pet Care Connection which allows people to sign up for help, and to provide their help. If you would like to assist in some way, but do not have access to Facebook, please let me know and I will be happy to share to the Page for you to get you. If you would like to foster, or are in need of help, but do not feel comfortable posting on Faceboook, please contact me via the link below to provide your information and I will get you in contact with the others who may help.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fostering is the number one need, but if you can provide any of the other services below, please do post to the Page as well:
Reliable boarding facilities and fosters provide time for the individuals to relax and think clearly. It provides opportunity to have a more coherent conversation about their options and their future. If given this time, it can prevent a mental health crisis and additional trauma. It can save both the individual and pet's lives.
Rescues and shelters provide extra space and care if there are no fosters available. This also gives the client a sense of peace while they work through a plan for the future.
Veterinarians provide assistance in ensuring that the pets are as healthy as possible so that they can be returned to their owners in decent condition. Much of the time pets are not up to date on vaccines or have other ailments that have gone untreated because of the lack of funds, or other difficulties.
Trainers can provide a little help with any simple behavioral issues so that when the pet is returned to their owner both have a plan to ensure that life is a little easier.
Groomers can make a pet that may have not had something simple as a bath or nail trim in quite a while feel so much better!
Transporters provide important assistance to everyone by ensuring the pets are where they need to be and allow the other Partners to have more time to do their work.
Donors can provide funds and items which can be used to help pets while they are in foster care, or when back with their owners.
And because there is a housing crisis on Cape Cod, as there is across the country, Housing Assistance Corporation's Workforce Housing Relief Fund and Homelessness Prevention is an important part of the big picture. The ability for people to find a stable, safe and affordable home IS the ultimate goal. We urge everyone to visit the site to learn more!
|
|
F@Q
Who is the program designed to help?
1. EPCP is a resource meant to assist individuals and families who have a pet(s) that they cannot take with them into temporary living facilities on Cape Cod and the South Shore. This can be a motel, transitional home, shelter or any other type of housing situation.
What type of pets are in need of help?
1. Companion animals such as cats and dogs are the most common. But, occasionally there may be a bird or pocket pets such as rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, and even a fish or turtle. Who knows!
2. If there is anyone who has experience with exotics we encourage you to contact us as well.
How can I donate?
1. EPCP has a Fiscal Sponsor who is responsible for providing tax receipts and other funding assistance. If you can provide a Grant to us we would love to hear from you!
2. You can also contact us below and let us know if you would like to contribute directly to one of Partners for their services. This will help us tremendously to ensure the program is a success!!
2. We have set up a GoFundMe page to help support the program. Please consider donating to help us make it a success!!
3. You can purchase something from this great artist and she will donate a portion to the EPCP. You can also purchase a book or items from one of Evie's Place's stores and the proceeds from the sales will go to the Program.
4. If you are interested in donating items, please do contact us and we will be happy to pick up (Cape only) and distribute them to those in need! All items must be new or in good condition, clean, bagged, labeled and separated by species.
General Questions
1. Does the Program offer anything else? Yes, we do have some food and some supplies available for those in need, so please ask. And, because we know that it difficult enough to find a home on Cape Cod when you have a pet, we are offering to pay for Canine Good Citizen classes and/or Certifications for the owners and pets of the EPCP Program if funds are available. This will add an additional positive "reference" when looking for a place to live. And it will also ensure that both owner and pet have the best life together as possible!
4. Are you in need of any other type of help? Yes, we would love to hear from anyone interested in helping!
5. I am an individual or business and would like to Sponsor a client in full. Is this possible? Yes!! Please contact us below and we will be happy to discuss this with you.
6. Are Partner's time, services and donations tax deductible? Although the Program is not currently a non-profit, we do have a Fiscal Sponsor who will provide a tax receipt. If donating directly to a Partner for their services, you will receive a receipt from them as well. Please keep all receipts and a log of your activities, no matter what service you are providing.
Please also check out the other Programs on the Cape that may be able to assist in other ways.
Thank you for helping your community, and please let us know if you have any questions or suggestions!
Who is the program designed to help?
1. EPCP is a resource meant to assist individuals and families who have a pet(s) that they cannot take with them into temporary living facilities on Cape Cod and the South Shore. This can be a motel, transitional home, shelter or any other type of housing situation.
What type of pets are in need of help?
1. Companion animals such as cats and dogs are the most common. But, occasionally there may be a bird or pocket pets such as rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, and even a fish or turtle. Who knows!
2. If there is anyone who has experience with exotics we encourage you to contact us as well.
How can I donate?
1. EPCP has a Fiscal Sponsor who is responsible for providing tax receipts and other funding assistance. If you can provide a Grant to us we would love to hear from you!
2. You can also contact us below and let us know if you would like to contribute directly to one of Partners for their services. This will help us tremendously to ensure the program is a success!!
2. We have set up a GoFundMe page to help support the program. Please consider donating to help us make it a success!!
3. You can purchase something from this great artist and she will donate a portion to the EPCP. You can also purchase a book or items from one of Evie's Place's stores and the proceeds from the sales will go to the Program.
4. If you are interested in donating items, please do contact us and we will be happy to pick up (Cape only) and distribute them to those in need! All items must be new or in good condition, clean, bagged, labeled and separated by species.
General Questions
1. Does the Program offer anything else? Yes, we do have some food and some supplies available for those in need, so please ask. And, because we know that it difficult enough to find a home on Cape Cod when you have a pet, we are offering to pay for Canine Good Citizen classes and/or Certifications for the owners and pets of the EPCP Program if funds are available. This will add an additional positive "reference" when looking for a place to live. And it will also ensure that both owner and pet have the best life together as possible!
4. Are you in need of any other type of help? Yes, we would love to hear from anyone interested in helping!
5. I am an individual or business and would like to Sponsor a client in full. Is this possible? Yes!! Please contact us below and we will be happy to discuss this with you.
6. Are Partner's time, services and donations tax deductible? Although the Program is not currently a non-profit, we do have a Fiscal Sponsor who will provide a tax receipt. If donating directly to a Partner for their services, you will receive a receipt from them as well. Please keep all receipts and a log of your activities, no matter what service you are providing.
Please also check out the other Programs on the Cape that may be able to assist in other ways.
Thank you for helping your community, and please let us know if you have any questions or suggestions!
|
Copyright 2022
|
|
