Homes for Orphaned Pets Exist: H.O.P.E.

The beliefs and goal of H.O.P.E. is reflected in its name: Homes for Orphaned Pets Exist. H.O.P.E.'s mission is to give homeless animals at the Saratoga County Animal Shelter homes, particularly through foster care.

H.O.P.E. provides numerous services to the Saratoga County Animal Shelter and pet foster homes. The organization holds several spay/neuter clinics and provides information and occasional funding for pets to be sterilized safely. Several other clinics are hosted by the organization, including adoption, low cost micro-chipping, and two facilities in Fort Edward and Mechanicville provide veterinary services to H.O.P.E. animals. The H.O.P.E. website also allows free advertising for lost pets, found strays and pets, and owners who are looking for foster homes for their own animals. Volunteers will bring well-behaved animals to senior care centers to interact and visit with residents. Seniors can also adopt older animals, who are not always as "adoptable" as younger pets and puppies or kittens, through the "Seniors for Seniors" program, free of charge.

Several organizations and events in the area benefit Homes for Orphaned Pets Exist. Each year, an annual "Walk for the Animals" is held. While the 2009 event has already passed, there is still next year, and in the meantime there are many other ways to help H.O.P.E.:

Foster Homes: H.O.P.E. needs homes and families to care for shelter animals. The group will cover medical costs and donate supplies. Fostering can be for an indefinite time, to help a pet recover from surgery, as a "day care" setting, or while the original foster is away for a time.

Food Drives: Drives are held to aid lower-income families who adopted or is fostering a pet through H.O.P.E. to alleviate the financial burden of having a pet temporarily.

Education Programs: Teaching youth (and even adults) how to treat, handle, and own a pet is instrumental in finding many adoptable pets good, permanent homes. Work with the children yourself or invite H.O.P.E. to speak at your school, library, camp, etc.

Writing: H.O.P.E. has a website and a newsletter, and both need good writers for articles and pet biographies.

Donations: Tax-deductible monetary donations are always welcome, and food, treats, toys and supplies are also appreciated.

Sponsorship: Sponsoring a cat is $30, and a dog $50. Sponsors will receive photographs of their sponsored animal, a brief history and a thank-you note.

Transportation: Bringing cats and kittens to and fro from events and clinics can be a fun ride for the driver and all passengers involved!

For more event and other information visit hopeanimalrescue.org.