Pets for Patriots
Saturday, September 1st, 2012 | Uncategorized | No Comments
Monroe County Friends of Animals (MCFA), a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, is proud to announce that Monroe County Animal Shelter (MCAS), 170 Kefauver Lane in Madisonville, is the first animal shelter in the State of Tennessee to partner with Pets for Patriots, Inc., a 501(c)(3) national not-for-profit that connects last-chance shelter pets with our country’s loyal service men and women to increase the adoption of adult and other at-risk homeless pets by veteran and service members of the United States military.
“Working with Pets for Patriots, we hope to motivate our local veterans and service members to give these animals a loving home,” said Vicki Morgan, Director of MCAS. “This will help us place more hard-to-adopt pets with good people who need or want a companion pet and save these innocent animals from being euthanized.”
Eligible pets must meet one of three criteria: dog or cat two years or older, dog over 40 pounds regardless of age, or a special needs dog or cat.
Joining Pets for Patriots is entirely free to veterans, though they are responsible for the shelter’s adoption fee at a 45% discount. The adoption fee includes spay/neuter, deworming (as needed), vaccinations, including rabies (age appropriate), microchip, training video, bathing of the animal, ID tag, leash, and collar. Adoptions through the Pets for Patriots program will also receive a bag of pet food, free pet training session, and discounted veterinary care at The Monroe County Animal Hospital in Sweetwater, which has also been accepted as a Pets for Patriots partner. Pets for Patriots provides a $150 gift card each year to help with food and other essentials.
“Our goal is to help our adoption partners re-home harder-to-place pets that still have years of love and life to give while at the same time making it more affordable for military personnel to bring a pet into their lives,” said Beth Zimmerman, founder and executive director of Pets for Patriots. “We’re delighted to work with MCFA and Monroe County Animal Shelter to give these last-chance pets a second chance at life and, in so doing, to enhance the lives of veterans in the community. Everybody wins.”
Individuals must first apply online through Pets for Patriots at www.petsforpatriots.org and provide proof of their military service or honorable discharge. Approval typically takes one to two business days, after which they can visit the Monroe County Animal Shelter for assistance in choosing their new best friend.
About Monroe County Friends of Animals
Monroe County Friends of Animals (MCFA) supports the Monroe County Animal Shelter (MCAS), where Pets for Patriots members can go to pick their new best friend. In operation since 2004, the organization was founded to address an urgent need for a humane animal welfare organization to serve residents of Monroe County. The shelter provides much-needed refuge for sick, lost, abandoned, abused, stray, and surrendered animals in the area. As part of its commitment to pet adoption and responsible pet ownership, MCFA maintains a Second Chance Pals Program, through which older pets are fostered to give them more time to find a loving home. In addition, the organization operates a pet food bank to help residents experiencing short-term financial hardship. MCFA accepts monetary donations, in addition to support through purchases made at its Thrift Store located at 302 Ballplay Road in Madisonville. For a more hands-on experience, become one of their valued volunteers or pet fosters.
About Pets for Patriots
Pets for Patriots, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) charity that helps military members honorably adopt adult and at-risk shelter pets. Its mission is to consistently give the gifts of fidelity, joy, and companionship to both pet and person. Pets for Patriots is one of the only organizations in the country dedicated to both adult pets and military members. The charity is a proud member of the Army AW2 Wounded Warrior Program national community support network, a national partner of the Real Warriors Campaign, and is listed by the National Resource Directory for Ill and wounded veterans. For more information, visit www.petsforpatriots.org.
