So Many Homeless Dogs, So Little...

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Paws 4 Humanity, Inc. (P4HI) is a not for profit 501(C)3 corporation, solely operate by volunteers.  Our primary purpose is to successfully transition dogs from rescues and/or shelters to forever homes through training and socialization while providing the necessary loving, compassionate environment and one on one attention for the animals to thrive.  

Regular Rescue Costs of an extraordinarily healthy dog taken into the rescue (at a minimum) may include:

o  Cost to spay/neuter,
o  Preventive shots,
o  Test for heartworms
o  Leashes, Harnesses and Collars
o  Food / Treats
o  Toys
o  Food & Water Bowls
o  Beds

If we take in an animal off the streets, who has not been fully vetted, then we are obligated for its' first comprehensive vet care, which includes:

o  Heartworm testing
o  Rabies shot and tag
o  Shots/deworming/fecal (for puppies)
o  Spay/neuter - if not already done

 Yet, it may take a few weeks on average to get them adopted to their fur-ever home. So, we incur the costs for things like food, grooming (for some), and preventive medications (heartworm and flea/tick).

o  $30 average month food and a fun treat or two
o  $25 Collar and leash
 o  $65-$95 Crate (depending on size)
o  $10 average monthly heartworm & flea/tick

So, even if a really healthy dog or puppy is adopted within 4 weeks, we sustain an average cost of $130.   If the dog or puppy is otherwise healthy, but a breed that requires grooming, that adds at least $30 to our bottom line, which takes us to $160 for a healthy dog or puppy who stays with our rescue group only one month.

Additional Rescue Costs:
There are some other rather routine things that need done to various dogs or puppies we take into Paws 4 Humanity Rescue. These include:

o  $100 dental cleaning - for older dogs or younger dogs with chronic conditions
o  $200-$600+ heartworm treatment - dependent on whether it's a lightly or strongly positive case of heartworms

Then again, taking a healthy dog or puppy into our rescue group is the occasional pleasant exception and not always the norm.  Animals found as strays or even owner-surrendered may have undisclosed illnesses or problems the owner may just not have known about.  Moreover, some of our rescues are "special needs" dogs.  These dogs take a certain commitment, especially financially, as they will often need more follow up care for things such as:

o  A physical disability
o  A chronic or terminal illness,
o  Or, is recovering from a serious injury

In Brief:
Once we take an animal into our rescue group, we commit to it. This means that we assume not only the routine, but also the extraordinary costs for treatment required by the canine.  In some of our past cases, we have incurred the expense for costly heartworm treatment, bone fracture, eye surgeries, severe respiratory viral illness, and the associated advanced diagnostic testing.

Sixty-five percent of our operating revenue comes from donations; this along with our volunteers are critical to the continued success of P4HI.  Without the generous contributions of our friends and family, we would not be able to save as many homeless animals as we do each year.  Every dollar makes a difference!