Emergency Medical Care for Needy Pets

What if you couldn't afford medical care for a beloved pet with a life-threatening illness? Like all medical costs, those for treatment and medication for animals are on the rise. Often, they are beyond what families can afford.

Olympic Mountain Pet Pals (formerly JCASA) is proud to announce their newest program to help pets in low-income families. Ginger's Fund provides financial assistance for emergency medical treatment for animals. "Our organization has offered money for special medical services on an irregular basis in the past," says board of directors' president Pam Kolacy. But this year, those efforts got a much needed boost from board member Marsha Wiener and her husband Sol Wiener. The Wieners pledged $1,000.00 per year for medical services in memory of their beloved golden retriever Ginger.

The Wieners rescued 1-year-old Ginger from the Santa Fe, NM Animal Shelter. "She was our first dog and changed our lives in ways that we never could have imagined," Marsha Wiener said. "Not only was she a faithful friend and hiking companion for many years, but for several years she and I visited the local hospital where she brought a smile to countless patients as part of the Pet Outreach Program at the Santa Fe Shelter."

During her nearly 16 years, there were a few occasions when Ginger needed expensive emergency care. "Fortunately we were able to bite the bullet and obtain the necessary treatment," says Wiener. "But not everyone is in such a position. It's painful to think of a pet having to suffer because his or her owner can't afford care."

Money from Ginger's Fund is allocated at the discretion of local participating veterinarians with a per-animal cap. It is generally available where an animal is facing a life-threatening situation. Although Jefferson County veterinarians and their staff frequently provide reduced-cost care for these animals, many of their expenses such as those for medications are out-of-pocket.

"Losing Ginger was heart-breaking," says Wiener, "but her memory lives on through this fund. It's our hope that others might be inspired to contribute to the fund, perhaps in honor or memory of other pets or animal lovers." Donations to Ginger's Fund can be sent to Olympic Mountain Pet Pals, PO Box 1466, Port Hadlock, WA 98339.