HERMITAGE – Tales of Hope, Mercer County's only nonprofit spay/neuter clinic, has served more than 14,000 pet dogs, cats and homeless community cats in western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio. However, many people still do not know about its existence. What it does or the value it provides.
Born in 2017 to carry on Thomas M. O'Brien's legacy of love for animals and service to the community, Tales of Hope Spay/Neuter Clinic aims to address the root causes of pet overpopulation and the reasons why so many animals become homeless. It exists to address the reasons why people become homeless or enter shelter.first place.They achieve this through the program.
Lifesaving programs remove barriers
Tails of Hope's everyday low pricing and low-cost or free spay/neuter Angel Program Financial Assistance Program and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Program help pet parents and caring homeless cat caretakers , basic and essential veterinary care will be available at all times. their ability to pay. Their services help reduce the cost of lifelong care for today's pets and reduce the long-term financial burden on shelters and our entire community.
“In addition to addressing pet overpopulation, spay/neuter clinics provide many benefits to animals, families and communities,” said Soraya Hejaj, executive director of Tales of Hope. Ta. “As a result of all the services that spay/neuter clinics provide, we keep families together, keep pets at home, reduce reasons for surrender and the need to enter already crowded shelters, and reduce the number of pets on the streets and on farms. Abandonment can be reduced. Spay/neuter appointments can help ensure the health safety of the community by vaccinating dogs against rabies and other zoonotic diseases, which are highly contagious for pets. It also provides the opportunity to vaccinate pets against common and deadly diseases. Spaying and neutering also reduces the risk of developing serious and costly health problems as your pet ages.”
Expand your collaboration efforts
The lack of access to affordable spay/neuter care threatens the progress that shelters and rescue teams work so hard to achieve. In addition to serving the public, Tails of Hope provides life-saving and cost-saving programs to dozens of nonprofit organizations, shelters, rescue operations, and TNR trappers.
Tales of Hope also donated a portion of its property and land easement for the new Shenango Valley Animal Shelter that will soon be built in our Valley. Tails of Hope's goal is to create an “animal campus” where resources for pets can be centralized and work together efficiently and effectively for the benefit of the community.
“Our local animal shelters are overcrowded, leaving abandoned, surrendered, and unwanted pets without loving families,” said Diane Webster, president and co-founder of Tales of Hope. “We're overcrowded because we need them,” he said. “We are proud of Tales of Hope’s presence as Mercer County’s only nonprofit spay/neuter clinic and our purpose to address the root causes of strain on local rescues and shelters. I sincerely hope that the community becomes more aware of our mission.
“We are grateful to our supporters and hope more communities will embrace our important role in preventing pet suffering and homelessness before they occur,” she said. Stated. “Spaying or neutering pets and community cats is the best way to ensure more animals are left homeless. It is one of the most loving things we can do for our pets. ”
Tails of Hope is flooded with reservation requests by phone and email every day, and reservations are often made months in advance. Many more animals and families need their help. A visit to Tales of Hope may be the first or only time a veterinarian will examine your animal. Medical issues previously unknown to pet parents may be detected and addressed at Tails of Hope if possible, or referred to a full-service clinic for follow-up. These discoveries can save animal lives.
Spay/neuter clinics are not a replacement for a full-service veterinary hospital and do not serve as your pet's primary care provider. Tails of Hope strongly encourages all pet parents to establish a relationship with a full-service veterinary hospital in their area for annual visits and vaccinations, as well as lifelong ongoing care. I am. Tails of Hope is unwavering in its commitment to fulfilling its mission. Support from the community is key.
How local government funding helps communities and saves lives
Many counties across the country fund voucher programs that provide free spays and neuters to residents to ease the financial burden on shelters. For example, Pittsburgh residents can have up to five pets or feral cats spayed or neutered each year for free. Funding from state and local governments to nonprofits like Tails of Hope across the country can be issued directly to spay/neuter clinics or allocated to nonprofit spay/neuter clinics from shelter budgets. can. But Tails of Hope, the only nonprofit organization in the county that provides these services, currently receives no local or state funding.
How can I be a lifesaver?
Currently, there is no state or local funding, and Tales of Hope relies on individual monetary gifts, in-kind donations, fundraising efforts, grant awards, and volunteer contributions. The 2024 fundraisers have been announced. This includes a benefit concert at Sharon's 40 Below on February 24th. The March CATness online lottery will be held from March 1st to March 31st. Breakfast at Kitteny's Bingo at The Corinthian in Sharon on April 13th.
Be part of the solution and improve the lives of pets. Have your neighborhood pets and community cats spayed or neutered. Call Tails of Hope to make an appointment: 724-346-4673.
Learn more about Tails of Hope, its programs and fees, upcoming fundraising events, how to make a tax-deductible donation, how to start your own legacy for animals, how to apply, and opportunities to volunteer or join the board or for other ways to get involved and join our lifesaving community, visit tailsofhopewpa.org.
About Tales of Hope Tales of Hope, located at the Thomas M. O'Brien Animal Shelter in Hermitage, Pennsylvania, opened in 2017 as a nonprofit 501 ©(3) born from a love of animals and service to the community. . Tails of Hope believes that by caring for the well-being of companion animals and treating them with kindness and compassion, the world is a better place. Tails of Hope is an active member of the lifesaving community offering low-cost and free spay/neuter and TNR programs, supporting animal welfare organizations and raising awareness for animals in need. exists to address the root causes of pet overpopulation. Join us in our lifesaving mission by visiting https://tailsofhopewpa.org or following us on Facebook and LinkedIn.
