UAN offers tips for avoiding expensive emergency vet care
PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL (December 7, 2009) – United Animal Nations (UAN), a national animal protection nonprofit, has awarded a $400 grant to help a mother in need obtain lifesaving veterinary care for the six-year-old dog and companion of her daughter.
 A LifeLine Grant from UAN helped Nicole Cortez pay for emergency surgery for her daughter’s dog that the unemployed mother otherwise could not afford.
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Nicole Cortez was recently laid off, lost her home to foreclosure and got in a car accident that drained her emergency savings. Cortez spends much of her time and money caring for her daughter, Christian, who has Down syndrome. One afternoon, the family dog, Cookie, inexplicably escaped from inside the family’s home and became injured. Cortez could not afford the $2,000 surgery originally quoted to amputate the dog’s leg and save her life. Desperate for help, Cortez reached out to UAN and other animal organizations for financial assistance. She was working against the clock and hoping for a miracle. Cortez did not want to euthanize Cookie, especially because of her relationship with Christian.
“Cookie is like my daughter’s favorite toy,” Cortez said. “My daughter has no speech, but I have never seen her look this sad.”
Upon learning the details of Cortez’s dire situation, a UAN staff member contacted Nicole and together they were able to find another clinic willing to perform Cookie’s surgery. UAN staff contacted the
“When I first spoke to Nicole, I knew that, because of the role Cookie played in her daughter’s life, she was desperate to save her,” said UAN Program Coordinator Esperanza Zuniga. “We were happy that United Animal Nations could help, thanks to the generous donors who support our LifeLine Grant program.”
So far in 2009, UAN has awarded $77,725 in LifeLine Grants to help people pay for lifesaving veterinary care. Applications for LifeLine Grants have increased dramatically during the recession. UAN received 1,854 applications through the third quarter of 2009 – a 15 percent increase over 2008 and a 73 percent increase over 2007.
“High unemployment and the poor economy have clearly hampered the ability of many people to care for their beloved pets,” said Zuniga.
UAN offers the following tips to help people avoid facing a veterinary emergency they cannot afford:
- Spay and neuter all animals. Many health problems can be prevented by spay or neuter.
- Keep pets indoors. Keep cats indoors at all times and keep dogs on leash when not in a secure area. Use caution when leaving animals unattended, and only leave them unattended in a secure area.
- Practice good routine care. Give necessary vaccinations, heartworm and flea prevention where needed; feed a good quality diet; and provide ample fresh water.
- Contribute to a special savings account for veterinary care. Even $5 per month can add up.
- Keep the number of animals you are responsible for within your means.
- Research the benefits of purchasing a pet health insurance policy.
To learn more about LifeLine or see a comprehensive list of financial resources for veterinary care, visit www.uan.org/lifeline
To support UAN’s efforts to help animals, please make a donation.
United Animal Nations (UAN) focuses on bringing animals out of crisis and strengthening the bond between people and animals through a variety of programs, including emergency sheltering, disaster relief services, financial assistance and education. Learn more at www.uan.org
MEDIA CONTACT: Alexis Raymond, (916) 429-2457
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