When I attended the Phoenix Pet Expo last month, I had the privilege of learning about an amazing, innovative organization called PoundWishes™. Curtis Taylor, one of the founders, explained the mission of their unique concept for raising money for animals in need. Basically, it is the animal equivalent to the Make-a-Wish Foundation. PoundWishes™ raises money for the specific needs of shelters and individual animals. So when you donate, you choose exactly where your money is going.
Jolene has a pound wish.
For example, Jolene, a five-week-old American Stafforshire Terrier, needs hospitalization for "parvo, neuter, shots, food and preventatives." The $2000 price tag for all of this is too much for her shelter to bear, so Jolene's need becomes a pound wish, and anyone can donate through the PoundWishes™ web site toward her cause.
The needs can be unique and specific for an injury or ailment, as in Jolene's case, or they can be more basic and general. Many of the PoundWishes™ animals just need food and vaccines. But the unique part is, you can find a specific shelter or animal to support, and the money goes directly to them.
All a shelter has to do is register. Listings are free, and there is social media integration so anyone can help spread the word about a particular need.
So how did this all get started? Curtis talked to me about how his daughter, Mckenzi, was the driving force behind it all (in fact, she wasn't too happy that her dad left her behind to attend school while he went to the pet expo). The PoundWishes™ web site describes how the organization began:
PoundWishes™ was inspired by a little girl named Mckenzi who was diagnosed with cancer at the age of two and was the recipient of gifts and attention from organizations such as the Make A Wish Foundation when she was undergoing treatment. A few years ago when visiting a pet shelter, Mckenzi was inspired by her own personal journey to help raise support for pets in shelters and rescues.
Since then, PoundWishes™ has gone from being a little girl's dream to a reality. Today, PoundWishes™ is a dynamic and interactive platform for pet rescues and shelters and those who are willing to help. PoundWishes™ welcomes all pet rescues and shelters to join our network and use our powerful platform to raise money for their cause and get pets adopted.
This organization funds the rehabilitation of pets in need, finds home for adoptable pets, and helps raise awareness of the financial needs of rescues and shelters. Whether you're looking for a new friend, wanting to help pets in need, or part of a rescue who needs to raise money for your pets in need, visit the PoundWishes™ web site to start the process.
Connect with PoundWishes™ on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+.