Nonprofit organization using the grant to give animals a second chance at life
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SACRAMENTO, CA (March 8, 2012) – RedRover, a national nonprofit animal protection organization, was recently awarded a $10,000 grant from the Banfield Charitable Trust (BCT) to be used by the RedRover Relief program. RedRover will utilize the award to provide funding to Good Samaritans, animal rescuers and pet owners to help them care for animals in life-threatening situations.
BCT has been working since 2003 to keep the most vulnerable populations together with their pet companions and provides grants to nonprofit organizations and hospices to support these efforts. All too often sick, injured or abused animals die because their caretakers can’t afford to pay for the urgent care needed to save them. RedRover Relief offers financial assistance grants and resources to help caregivers care for the animals they love. A RedRover Relief grant, funded in part by the BCT award, recently helped a family save their beloved cat, Charlie, after he was diagnosed with a life-threatening urinary blockage. Lisa, a working mom living paycheck-to-paycheck, reached out to RedRover Relief for help during a very desperate time. She told RedRover’s case manager, “My choices were to pay $1,000 upfront, surrender Charlie to a shelter, or take him home to die.” After receiving a RedRover Relief grant, Lisa expressed extreme gratitude, “This generosity did not just save a special cat; it saved a whole family!”
Since the program’s inception, RedRover Relief has helped thousands of animals like Charlie receive lifesaving treatment. In 2011 alone, RedRover Relief helped save the lives of nearly 500 animals. As the economy continues to put a strain on people’s finances, many caregivers believe that they only have two options when their pets become sick: to have them euthanized or surrendered to a shelter, where euthanasia rates can be as high as 80 percent. By providing essential funding and resources, the RedRover Relief program and BCT are working together to save lives and keep people and their pets together.
In addition to issuing grants, RedRover Relief case managers also point applicants to other financial assistance programs, advise them on working with vet clinics, and help them start their own fundraising efforts through Facebook and other online sites.
The economic downturn has greatly increased demand for the grants, which are funded solely by private donations. “The demand for our services has exploded in the last few years, but the donations that fund our program have declined,” said RedRover President and CEO Nicole Forsyth. RedRover hopes to double the budget for this program by 2015. “We are grateful for the support from the Banfield Charitable Trust,” she added.
Online reviews from RedRover Relief grant recipients and other supporters earned the organization the 2012 Top-Rated Animal Welfare Nonprofit rating by GreatNonprofits. Learn more about RedRover Relief’s crucial work at www.redrover.org/relief.
MEDIA CONTACT: LEILI KHALESSI, 916.429.2457 or lkhalessi@redrover.org
Founded in 1987, RedRover focuses on bringing animals out of crisis and into care through a variety of programs, including emergency animal sheltering and disaster relief services, financial assistance for urgent veterinary care and humane education. Formerly known as United Animal Nations, the organization is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
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