WASHOUGAL — The West Columbia Gorge Humane Society has been awarded $2,500 from the CARES Community Impact Grant. CARES is the independent, charitable and philanthropic arm of Finance of America Cos. Their platform connects people, charitable resources and ideas, to unite behind common goals and spark positive change throughout the nation. These funds will help support the humane society’s community emergency veterinary assistance program, which aids locally owned pets with medical issues.
“West Columbia Gorge Humane Society applied for the grant to help keep pets and their people together even when they cannot afford veterinary care,” the society said in announcing the grant. “We all know that pets provide comfort and companionship to their people, especially during trying times.”
West Columbia Gorge Humane Society’s community Emergency Veterinary Assistance Program is structured such that those in need must qualify financially; they must be of low-income status and/or facing hardship. People seeking assistance will be vetted before being accepted into the program. Those who qualify will receive veterinary care from a private practice veterinary clinic of their choice or a referral to a clinic.
“West Columbia Gorge Humane Society is proud to offer emergency veterinary assistance to folks in our community. We believe pets and people belong together and we do everything in our power to provide resources to keep them together rather than pet owners having to relinquish their pets to an animal shelter simply because they can’t afford a life-saving procedure for their pet,” said Micki Simeone, Executive Director.
