Pet Resource Center – coming to Skid Row on July 13th!

Unique partnerships are often at the core of our work, for we cannot accomplish our mission alone. Innovated, new approaches must be created in order to help animals and the people who care about them. That is why we’re happy to tell you about our latest partnership with Inner City Law Center (ICLC) and Los Angeles Animal Services (LAAS), which is focused on providing an easily accessible Pet Resource Center on Skid Row on July 13th.

Inner City Law CenterInner City Law Center is a non-profit law firm providing legal representation for the most vulnerable individuals and families in LA who have now where else to turn, regularly combating slum housing, preventing homelessness, and aiding homeless veterans. Los Angeles Animal Services is on of the largest animal shelter systems in the United States, managing six shelters and a high volume of pets. Put them together, and that’s a lot of power we’re lucky to align with. It means we can make a bigger difference.

At DDR, we believe that what is inside a person’s wallet should not be what determines whether they are a loving pet owner, capable of providing care and kindness. We’ve witnessed firsthand how many people living on the streets often rely on their pets for emotional support and companionship, as well as the number of low-income families struggling to pay rent, never mind caring for beloved family pets. Our Pet Resource Center on Skid Row will provide resources and services so that this community is better able to care for and keep their pets. By enabling more families to stay housed and connected, we hope to prevent fewer pets from entering the shelter system and fewer unwanted litters from being produced.

We are so excited about this partnership and the impact it is sure to make. For starters, it gives low-income residents of Skid Row a place to go when they need help with their pets. Many individuals experiencing homelessness or financial hardship are unaware that resources like us even exist. More over, many struggling fear seeking help, assuming it will lead to their cherished animals being taken away from them. We know that no matter what a person’s housing or financial situation may be, there are ways to keep pets with their people, and keep them all safe and happy.

The Pet Resource Center will be open one day a week and run by us and our amazing volunteer team. ICLC will provide the space at its office on Skid Row, and LAAS is supplying the free spay/neuter vouchers plus help with first-time animal registration. The center will provide much more, such as:

  • Free spay/neuter vouchers
  • Assistance with animal registration
  • Vaccinations
  • Microchips
  • ID tags
  • Collars
  • Leashes
  • Crates
  • Access to emergency boarding and short term foster care
  • Medical care at approved partner veterinarian clinics
  • Assistance with transportation to animal hospitals
  • Short-term motel stays for persons who do not have a permanent residence when their pet is undergoing a non-outpatient medical procedure
  • Trained, volunteer counselors to provide the necessary services and offer support

So imagine being somebody who is desperate […]

Flea + tick season is here!

flea seasonOn Sunday, at a free spay/neuter clinic in Watts, I had a young woman ask me when flea season would be over.  She showed me her sister’s legs, completely bitten up by fleas.  Not only was her little dog covered in fleas, everyone in her home was suffering.  She had tried a flea collar, a flea comb, bi-weekly baths and some home remedies family members had shared with her but nothing worked to rid the fleas on her little terrier.  When I told her that in California, flea season was basically 365 days a year, she looked so overwhelmed.

She had rescued her little dog off the street, he was covered with fleas, she removed the ticks but the fleas, she couldn’t cope with.  Not wanting to give up on him, she was willing to try anything.  I explained the benefits of Frontline, and we made a plan to give her and her dog some relief.

dog with fleas

I met another family who was moving the day we neutered their puppy.  He also was loaded with fleas and ticks.  One of the reasons they were moving was their landlord refused to help them get rid of the fleas and ticks in their house and yard.  The ticks were so bad, no one could go into the back yard.  Can you imagine living like that?  They endured as much as they could.  Like the other young woman, they were committed to their pets, they were eager to take the assistance.  Actually, I’ve never met a pet owner who refused help with flea and tick prevention.  Summer can be pretty brutal.  We always see dogs and sometimes cats with ticks and fleas.

In August we have two community dog clinics planned.  We would like to offer every dog Frontline flea and tick prevention which costs about $10 per dose.  Can you help by purchasing a package for dogs in need?

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