Patient Pet Advocates making a big difference for pets in need of care
by Kristan Dael
It can happen to any of us, anytime: a diagnosis leading to a debilitating illness, a hospital stay for needed treatment, a move to hospice, or the unexpected passing of a loved one that leaves a pet without care. If family or friends are unable to help it can truly become a crisis, even leading some to consider surrendering their beloved pet. Patient Pet Advocates can help, providing food, care and comfort — for just one day or up to two weeks — until “mom” or “dad” or another family member can do so. Animals needing short-term fostering can stay with a foster volunteer while their human gets the care they need.
Other ways PPA helps keep people and pets together is offering “lite” services such as dog walks, dropping off kitty litter or transporting a pet to the groomer or vet. A new program currently being tested involves senior residents of a low-income community in Eugene providing foster care for cats. Currently five residents have volunteered for the program. If successful, it is slated to expand to serve other senior communities.
“The goal of every nonprofit — which are all created to fill a need — is to work themselves out of business,” says Leah Claypool, PPA Executive Director. A primary way the group works toward that goal is raising awareness about preplanning.
“You plan your estate, make the arrangements that will someday be needed,” says Leah. “What about your pet?” She says preplanning helps reduce the “emergency response and sense of crisis” when a pet parent dies without a plan for their pet.
The PPA story of Katherine, Sophie and Santana
When Katherine’s cancer began to diminish her independence and her pain became less manageable, she turned to hospice professionals for help. Weighing heavily on her was the fact that she had no one to help care for Sophie and Santana, her beloved Pomeranians. They had been her companions for years, and she was greatly concerned about their future. Katherine’s hospice social worker told her about PPA.
Contacting them, Katherine learned the variety of services available. Ultimately, she decided to surrender both dogs so they could be placed in a new home. While Sophie and Santana were with a PPA foster volunteer awaiting the perfect adoptive family, Katherine was able to get updates on how they were doing. She was notified when the dogs were adopted and given information about their new home.
Katherine said that knowing her dogs were well cared for in a wonderful new home helped lessen her stress about being unable to care for them and allowed her to think about the many decisions regarding her health. While Katherine’s future was uncertain, she knew her best friends would be forever loved.