PET POINTS
CARING FOR
ANIMALS A SHINING LIGHT IN A TROUBLED WORLD By Dr. Lawrence Gerson, VMD
After being rescued, rehabbed, and rehomed by Homeless Cat Management Team, Ethel the cat now enjoys a loving family.
and a love of animals merged into an organization that transports pets from a tragic situation to a bright future. Natural disasters and other circumstances can create
THROUGHOUT MY LIFE, I HAVE WITNESSED more
overcrowded shelters where pets have a poor chance of
than my share of horrible events. I’m a baby boomer
survival; No Dog Left Behind flies pets from these areas
who started college in 1968, when the war in Vietnam
to places where good forever homes are waiting.
was raging. The controversial protest song “Eve of Destruction” was popular on the AM radio, and,
The Last Chance Fund, the charitable wing of the
honestly, veterinary school was my back up plan if
veterinary association Animal Care PA, provides financial
nuclear war was averted.
assistance for pets whose owners cannot afford needed care. Some veterinary clinics and specialty hospitals also
But there was hope then, and there is still hope now if
provide partial funding, loans, or financial assistance for
you look in the right places. An internet posting of a
extreme cases. There is more need than funds available,
sick pet will bring good wishes and donations from total
but members of the public can do their part and
strangers on social media. Many local rescue groups
financially support efforts to help pets.
will find and rehabilitate severely injured pets when euthanasia might have been a more logical alternative.
Unfortunately, there is also a dark side to human
When many only see the dark side of the world, this
behavior. Bringing those responsible for animal abuse
generosity and dedication to animals who do not have a
to justice is a long process in the court system. AAARF!
voice can shine a light for people.
(Allegheny Abused Animal Relief Fund) assists shelters that are caring for animals in abuse cases, which saves
My current dog, Wrangler, was paralyzed as a puppy on
the shelters’ limited resources for other critical services.
a horse farm, and the owner just could not fit caring
County residents are asked to make a contribution when
for a special needs pet into her busy schedule. The
they pay for an Allegheny County dog license. To date,
rescue organization Speak for the Unspoken was able
the fund has raised approximately two million dollars
to place him with us, and Wrangler has since made a
over its twenty years of existence.
full recovery. Local animal shelters, like Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh, Animal Friends, and Homeless
With the joy and love that owning a pet can bring, there
Cat Management Team work tirelessly to end animal
is hope that the future can be just a bit brighter. The
suffering and help find good homes for pets in need.
key is for everyone to do their part: to care for pets and support those dedicated people and organizations
No Dog Left Behind is an example where a love of flying
44 | shuc.org
providing care for animals in need.
