SOSOhio animal charity

[moonturtle]

We are pleased to announce that the Charity of the Month is back!!!!!!

The first charity is:

SHELTER OUTREACH OF OHIO





To reinitiate the Charity of the Month for February, I have decided to go with an animal charity in my home state of Ohio. Not only are many of the Twilight stars (Kellan Lutz, Rachelle LeFevre, Christian Serratos, and Bryce Dallas Howard,) extremely active in animal charities, but one of our own members (LoriS.,) works with this charity to help educate people about the importance of caring for their pets.



Shelter Outreach of Ohio is a low-cost, non-profit neuter clinic serving low income families and animal rescue organizations in the greater Columbus area. It’s mission is to improve the quality of life for shelter animals and companion animals of low income families by providing affordable veterinary care, and to reduce the homeless pet population through spay/neuter programs.



SOS of Ohio was established in 2007 by Dr. Melanie deHaan as a mobile mash clinic serving humane societies and area shelters. In February 2009, SOS of Ohio was reestablished in its current form as a Humane Alliance style, high-volume, stationary clinic serving both humane societies and the general public.



While their primary focus remains spay and neuter, they also offer other low-cost veterinary services, vaccinations, and treatments at the time of surgery. SOS of Ohio also hosts a comprehensive set of special programs including their Transport Program, Community Outreach and Events Team, Feral Cat Program, Spay/Neuter Voucher Program, and holds a special benefits event open to the community.



SOS of Ohio currently has two fundraising challenges going on:



“Spay it Forward” is raising funds for their voucher programs providing free spay and neuter surgeries to pets of low-income families. They have been able to get this program off the ground through two generous grants, but those funds are now depleted so in order to continue to provide this valuable program going they are asking supporters to spay it forward by making a donation to keep the program going.





And:



“Luv-A-Bull” is in honor of the Humane Society’s annual “spay day.” Last year, SOS of Ohio was called to a small town in northern Ohio to help with over 200 pit bulls that had been kept as breeding dogs tied to cages with little access to shelter, food, and water. They still have a few of the dogs they took in foster looking for permanent homes. While they don’t usually take in pets for adoption, SOS of Ohio realizes that everyone has to work together to end puppy mills as well as to help change the reputation of pit bulls which can be wonderful family pets as long as they are treated well, just like any other dog. (Personal note, my sister and her husband adopted an abused pit bull mix and she is the sweetest dog around.) Their goal on February 22nd is to spay/neuter 60 pit bulls in 60 hours and offer the surgeries to low-income families for $30 which will include vaccinations and a micro chip. Local pet supplies stores have helped them gather new collars and toys to send home with each dog as well. In order to supplement the fees they are charging, they need to raise an additional $5,000.




If you wish to learn more about this wonderful charity, please visit their website: http://www.sosohio.org

[LoriS]

Moonturtle,

Thank you for offering to put SOS of Ohio up her for the Charity of the Month program. The people that work there are truly dedicated to the animals in our community. We do have a paid staff of vets, vet techs and a director, but I oversee approximately 40 volunteers per month that help with everything from recovering animals after surgery to community outreach programs, and fundraising.

Many times when an animal comes in to be spayed/neutered, we also find they have a minor infection of some kind. Those animals go home with antibiotics wheter or not the own can afford them. Additionally, we do provide a number of other services to local rescues beyone just spay/neuter.

SOS of Ohio is truly a wonderful grassroots organization that I'm very proud to voluteer with.

[Proud MommaX3]

I love charities that represent defenseless animals. Such a great cause. Thank you Moonturtle!