Tobby's Fund
Lowell Humane Society Announces Matching Gift
Challenge - "Tobby's Fund" established.

July 20, 2008 - the Lowell Humane Society is proud to announce a
1:1 Matching Gift Challenge offered by a local woman so moved by
the recent publicity surrounding the dramatic rise in pet surrenders
to animal shelter as a result of their owners struggling financially in
this economy. With a 1:1 Challenge Gift, every dollar donated to
help care for the shelter animals needing medical help will be
matched, dollar for dollar, up to $5,000. The 1:1 Matching Gift
Challenge will benefit the shelter's Medical Fund. Her intention is to
encourage the Greater Lowell and Southern NH communities to
"...help those pets in our community who have become homeless
as a residual effect of the economy...through no fault of their own,
they are in crisis. It is up to the community to help them. We can
help them." She is challenging her community to match every
dollar, for the next 6 weeks, with the Challenge ending September
1, 2008. This summer Challenge is intended to stimulate
donations, as the summer season is typically the slowest time of
the year for charitable giving.

Foreclosures, down sizing, veterinary and food costs - many pet
owners have come to the Lowell Humane Society with great
sadness, forced to surrender their dogs and cats when faced with
financial hardship. When she asked how she could help, shelter
staff thought of he Bichon Frisee mix named Tobby. Tobby is a 3
year old neutered male Bichon Frisee mix. Tobby's previous owner
took him to his veterinarian for an unexplained bleeding sore on his
head. Although it scabbed frequently, it bled profusely when he
scratched at it. After Tobby left the office undiagnosed and requiring
further tests, Tobby's owner made the decision she felt was in the
best interest of the dog. Tobby was surrendered to the Lowell
Humane Society 3 days later. Her owner could not afford the
treatment Tobby needed. Tobby was not alone. On that same day,
five other dogs, none cats and three ferrets were surrendered by
their owners.

Animal Care Supervisor, Lisa Forbes, is alarmed by the trend. In
recent months there has been an influx of surrendered pets
requiring immediate minor and occasionally major medical
attention. Prior to being placed up for adoption, pets are evaluated,
vaccinated and treated medically. Unfortunately the economy has
also affected the amount and size of donations to the shelter. Due
to the rise in cats and dogs surrendered who require medical
attention, the animal shelter has started to cut back on non-critical
veterinary care. The volume of medical cases and emergency visits
for animals in distress has taxed the shelter heavily.

Minor medical expenses include: ear infections, worms, urinary
tract infections, dental work and more frequently Lyme disease.
Major medical expenses include: foreign body obstructions, broken
limbs, heart worm and in one case recently, an emergency
c-section for a pregnant dog. "Tobby's Fund" seeks to establish an
on-going fund to help meet the immediate needs of surrendered
pets brought to the shelter.

To make  a donation to "Tobby's Fund", please mail to:
Lowell Humane Society
Attn: Tobby's Fund
951 Broadway Street
:Lowell, MA 01854

Thank You!
Tobby Before
Tobby after
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animals!
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