Helping pets makes everyone's holiday brighter

[Kadie]

Helping pets makes everyone's holiday brighter
By Christie Keith, Special to SF Gate
Thursday, December 9, 2010


Even in the best of times, some pet owners aren't able to give their pets the care they need. But when people get sick, become disabled, lose their jobs and even their homes, the stress of providing for one's companion animals only makes things worse.
Fortunately, here in the Bay Area and nationwide, there are many resources to help pets and pet owners in need. And like all charities weathering this tough economic climate, those groups could use your support this holiday season.

One such organization, Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS), was founded in San Francisco during the early days of the AIDS epidemic, when San Francisco AIDS Foundation Food Bank volunteers discovered that some of their clients were sharing their food with their pets.

In 1987, PAWS became a stand-alone non-profit organization providing pet food and care to people with AIDS, and today serves more than 1,000 pets belonging to over 800 needy pet owners with a variety of conditions, including seniors and others with disabling illnesses.

But it's not just family pets who need your help; homeless pets do, too.

"Every day we hear from shelters who tell us there are pets lying on cold cement floors, without even a blanket," said Carol Grandmougin of Kuranda Pet Beds. In response, the company started a program allowing individuals to choose a shelter or rescue group in their area, and then purchase the off-the-floor pet beds at a big discount over retail prices.


Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2010/12/09/petscol120910.DTL#ixzz17dWnm7eX



Two dogs snuggling on a raised pet bed donated to the Shelby Humane Society in Columbiana, Ala. The bed was given by a pet lover through a program offered at Kuranda.com.
Photo: Courtesy of Kuranda Pet Beds

[xchrom]

1. Recommend

[spooky3]

2. poor little animals - well done, Kuranda and donors.

[Dappleganger]

3. Love that picture!

We have a raised bed outside in our lanai area and all of our dogs use it at once (although we don't have a pic, unfortunately). That would be our 85 lb. lab and two mini-doxies.

Thanks for the timely reminder!

[Kadie]

5. I was thinking of donating one of the beds to a local shelter.

They look wonderful.

Also thinking about this one...

http://www.petsofthehomeless.org/

[Jeffersons Ghost]

4. K&R

[Hell Hath No Fury]

6. PAWS is one of my favorite charities.

I've been with them since their beginining here in SF.

Thanks for the link on behalf of all the fur-kids in need.

[Kadie]

9. PAWS is a wonderful charity.

You are welcome for the link.

:)

[TBF]

7. Great picture - and reminder that homeless pets need our support as well. nt

[Maru Kitteh]

8. What a wonderful photo! Thanks for bringing this.