It’s no secret that COVID-19 has created devastation and hardship for so many. It has also been a time of uncertainty for animal shelters. Dr. Elizabeth Berliner, Associate Clinical Professor and Swanson Endowed Director of Maddie’s® Shelter Medicine Program, recently spoke with Boston’s NPR News Station to discuss the status of animal shelters and how pets are helping people cope with the pandemic.
While 2021 still provides uncertainty with ever-changing variants of the virus, shelters are looking to their communities for support — breaking down barriers to potential adopters and foster homes, and enrolling more community members in mutual aid for pets. Of course, one of the biggest ways that shelters need support is through philanthropic efforts and fundraising. An expert working group of the national Human Animal Support Services Project has created a new Philanthropy Toolkit specifically focused on development and fundraising to provide organizations with expert advice and resources to take their activities to a new level.
Locally, our own SPCA of Tompkins County is no stranger to fundraising, as they annually raise the majority of their operational funds. On October 10, 2021, the SPCA of Tompkins County will be celebrating 10 years of their annual campaign- March for the Animals. Participants can choose how they wish to march–either in person and outdoors at Stewart Park in Ithaca, NY or in their local neighborhood or park. Dr. Berliner and the Maddie’s® Shelter Medicine Team will march along with the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Shelter Medicine Club. The shelter has a target goal to raise $75,000.
The event is always popular, so be sure to monitor their social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram (@spcaoftompkinscounty) or Twitter (@SPCAofTC) for lots of four-legged friends out and about!
