Martin County Humane Society: COVID-19 Operation Grant Report

How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?

This grant allowed us to continue to provide veterinary care for the shelter animals, particularly for intake-protocol needs.

The dogs 4 months and older receive vaccinations for rabies, bordetella, and distemper combo. They are also dewormed and tested for heartworm, ehrlichia, Lyme disease, and anaplasmosis. Puppies under 4 months are dewormed and vaccinated for bordetella and distemper combo.

The cats 4 months and older receive vaccinations for rabies and PRC. They are also tested for feline leukemia, dewormed, and have a stool sample done. Kittens under 4 months do not receive rabies vaccinations.

Except in very rare cases, all canines and felines are treated for external parasites and spayed or neutered.

The grant obviously did not cover all of these costs for intake, but was used to defray these costs.

How many pets did this grant help?

500

Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.

Armani (first photo) and Audie (second photo) were littermates who arrived at our shelter with extreme cases of mange. The almost hairless half-grown pups were itchy, smelly, and miserable. We bathed them and treated them with medication for these external parasites.

The smell and itch improved quickly, but the hair grew back very slowly. After a month of care and another round of parasiticide, they were made available for adoption (the third photo shows Armani’s “after”; the fourth photo shows Audi’s). Both girls were adopted to separate families, where they are both beloved pets.

Brigette was part of a German shepherd litter that was surrendered with their mother into our care due to family issues. The mom and puppies were placed in foster care until they were ready for adoption. Brigette was adopted into a loving home where she is doted on by her family (fifth and sixth photos).