The coronavirus pandemic has affected nearly every aspect of our lives. One thing that often gets forgotten in discussions of economic downturn is the impact it can have on our pets. PALS (Pets Are Loving Support) steps in to help seniors and people with critical illnesses keep their pets when they can’t afford to on their own.
This year PALS is celebrating 30 years of helping people keep their pets healthy and in their homes.
“People with limited income who are either critically ill, or elderly, or both, are already suffering and sometimes their beloved pets are the only thing that keeps them going every day,” said Bill Golden, who is a member of the PALS board of directors. “Our goal is to make it so that these folks never have to make a choice of paying their rent or taking care of their beloved pets.”
PALS provides food and veterinary services for the pets of eligible clients. It hosts monthly shot clinics, and holds Drag Queen Bingo and an annual Fur Ball Masquerade as fundraisers for its work.
In the midst of the pandemic PALS has had to change procedures at their shot clinics, and its fundraising abilities have been severely inhibited.
“We are tentatively re-starting the Bingo events, but with CDC recommended guidelines, which, among other things, limits our capacity to half of what we were used to,” said Golden. “We’ve been doing online and virtual events, but it doesn’t adequately make up for lost funding.”
PALS is asking for donations and volunteers to help them continue to care for the pets in our community that need assistance.
Who’s helping?
PALS (Pets Are Loving Support)
Services: PALS provides food and veterinary services for the pets of eligible clients who need assistance caring for their pets.
How to help: Currently, the greatest need at PALS is funding, but PALS often needs volunteers as well. It is a volunteer organization, with only the executive director as a paid position. All other work done is through volunteers, including the board of directors.
Where to donate: Visit www.PALSAtlanta.org to donate and find information on fun ways to participate in helping raise funds.
How to get help: To become a client and receive support, visit www.PALSAtlanta.org for info on how to apply for PALS services.
If you are involved in or know of an organization working to bring relief to the Atlanta community during the coronavirus pandemic OR you are with an organization with supplies that you don’t know where to donate, please email us at Shannon.n.Dominy@gmail.com.
About the Author
