Struggling families shouldn’t have to say goodbye to a beloved pet just because they can’t afford an unexpected vet bill.
And sick or injured wildlife should have a better shot at returning to their natural habitat.
The Community Foundation of Broward’s new Animal Welfare grants ensure that more of Broward’s animals – both wild and domesticated – are treated with respect and can live safely.
Thanks to BOLD philanthropists who partner with the Community Foundation, we are deploying more than $315,000 in new support for Animal Welfare. The new Animal Welfare grants, spread over two years, will:
- Boost pet adoptions
- Provide free food and veterinarian care
- Expand spay and neutering programs to reduce overpopulation
- Support wildlife rescue
- Create a sanctuary for abandoned horses
- And much, much more.
This critical infusion of support comes as economic and health challenges during the pandemic create new hurdles for caring for Broward’s animals.
“As nonprofits are stretched to the limits due to lack of volunteers and decreased fundraising during the pandemic, these Animal Welfare grants will sustain and grow animal rescues, adoptions, emergency medical care and other vital services for Broward’s animals and the people who love them,” said Sheri Brown, Community Foundation of Broward Vice President of Community Impact.
The new wave of Animal Welfare grants support:
- Pet Projects for Pets, Senior Paws Program: Facilitate the adoption of older shelter dogs, which can be harder to place, by senior residents looking for companionship. Provide food, supplies and vet care, working in partnership with Broward County Animal Care and the Humane Society.
- F.R.I.E.N.D.S., Horse Ranch & Sanctuary: Create a permanent, safe sanctuary for more than 100 distressed horses that have been abandoned by their owners. Provide feed, hay, supplements, veterinary care and other critical needs.
- Cats Exclusive, Pet Samaritan Fund: Help 500 pet owners who are facing financial challenges avoid having to surrender or euthanize sick or injured animals due to the cost of care. Provide vaccinations, spaying, neutering, dental treatments and important emergency care for cats and dogs so they can stay in loving homes.
- Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital, Forever Home Revitalization Program: Replace and update habitat for native birds, tortoises and other animals that can’t be returned to the wild because of their injuries. Provide medical treatments and rehabilitative services to help more than 1,000 sick, injured and orphaned animals return to the wild each year. Educate students about the importance of protecting Broward’s wildlife.
- South Florida Wildlife Center, Wildlife Rescue-Release Program: Rescue, treat and rehabilitate up to 2,000 sick, injured and orphaned animals per year. Launch a wildlife foster program to educate and engage residents to care for infant animals until they are old enough to move into outdoor habitats at the center.
- Humane Society of Broward County, Heartworm Treatment for Adoptable Pets: Administer heartworm treatments to 100 dogs per year that come into the shelter with heartworms. Help these dogs recover so they can be adopted and live long and healthy lives with their new families.
More about Animal Welfare
The character of our community is reflected in the way we treat our animals. Animal Welfare grants during the past four years have delivered nearly $500,000 in support for animal rescue, medical care, food, adoptions, habitat preservation and much more. Thanks to Fundholders who support Animal Welfare:
- More than 1,500 dogs and cats have found forever homes through adoption into caring families. Emergency medical assistance has prevented nearly 2,000 pets from being surrendered by owners who otherwise couldn’t afford their care.
- Free spay and neutering services for thousands of animals helps curtail overpopulation. And animal rescues.
- Injured bald eagles that would have perished in the wild have a new, permanent habitat at Flamingo Gardens.
These are just a few examples of how philanthropy through the Community Foundation helps ensure that Broward’s animals – wild and domesticated – are treated with respect and can live safely.
Support for the new Animal Welfare grants comes from the following Funds at the Community Foundation of Broward:
- Helen Victoria Foote Fund
- Louise Wemyss Fund for Animal Welfare
- Patricia A. Shub Fund for Companion Animal Benefit
- Everett H. Metcalf, Jr. Unrestricted Fund
- Helen and Frank Stoykov Charitable Endowment Fund
- David and Francie Horvitz Family Fund
- David W. Leonard Fund
- Rose Fridek Fund
- James K. Oppenheimer Fund for Broward
- Donald C. Grobmyer Fund
- The Wil and Susan Greaton Fund
- Deinhardt Charitable Fund
- Francis and Bessie McDwyer Fund
- Elizabeth Clark Wood Fund
- Brogan Family Fund
- Kresge Unrestricted Fund
To find out how you can support Animal Welfare with a charitable Fund at the Community Foundation, contact Vice President of Philanthropic Services Nancy Thies at nthies@cfbroward.org or 954-761-9503.
