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Health & Fitness

The Pet Rescue Center Finalizes Report for $5,000 Grant from ASPCA

ASPCA Founders Society Grant Funds Help Save 13 Dogs and 6 Kittens

The Pet Rescue Center received a $5,000 Grant from the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) in July, 2013. The Mission Viejo-based non-profit was nominated for the Founder’s Choice Grant and was one of three organizations throughout the United States to receive the award. The grant funds were used to help with “pre-adoption” expenses of dogs and cats saved from local high-kill animal shelters from July to the end of the year.

“We were honored and grateful to have been chosen to receive a grant from the ASPCA,” explained Jan Henry, Director of Development for The Pet Rescue Center. “The ASPCA is a well-known and widely respected organization, and we appreciate their support and all that they do for animal rescue throughout the country.”

On July 15, 2013, The Pet Rescue Center saved eight dogs from the county animal shelter in Orange, two of which were scheduled for euthanasia on the day that they were rescued. They also rescued 6 orphaned kittens from the shelter in September, all of which would have been euthanized due to their young age. On November 19, an additional five dogs were rescued from the county animal shelter, all at risk for euthanasia.  Funds from the ASPCA grant were used by The Pet Rescue Center to cover pre-adoption expenses which included shelter “pull” fees, spay/neuter, microchip, vaccinations, boarding fees, and any necessary medical treatment. In total, 13 dogs and six kittens benefited from the grant funds. Two kittens and 9 of the dogs have already found homes. View their adoptable pets here.

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“It is such a joy to see ASPCA grant dollars at work, especially when the organization received the funds as a direct result of support from the public,” said Jill Buckley, senior director of community initiatives at the ASPCA. “Those dogs and kittens rescued with the funds from this grant are now safe and receiving the care and love they deserve thanks to The Pet Rescue Center’s work.”

The Founders Choice Grant Contest was an opportunity for donors who are part of the ASPCA Founder’s Society to nominate an animal welfare group that they believe is doing great work in their community.  Voting took place through the end of June, and The Pet Rescue Center, the only California organization in the contest, was one of the top three organizations with the highest number of votes. The Pet Rescue Center, co- founded by Blythe and Dr. Matthew Wheaton of Alicia Pet Care Center in 2007, was nominated by Mission Viejo resident Jill Nesbitt.

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Since the beginning of 2013, The Pet Rescue Center has saved more than 115 dogs and cats from possible euthanasia. Some of these animals needed major medical treatment, and all of the dogs and cats were spayed or neutered, micro-chipped, dewormed, flea treated, and fully vaccinated prior to being made available for adoption. The ASPCA grant helped to cover these pre-adoption expenses for the animals saved by The Pet Rescue Center since July of this year.

About The Pet Rescue Center

The Pet Rescue Center, located inside Alicia Pet Care Center in Mission Viejo, is a 501c3 non-profit organization that rescues, rehabilitates, and re-homes pets saved from euthanasia at high-kill shelters and other at-risk situations. These pets are provided with a veterinarian-supervised, temporary sanctuary, while The Pet Rescue Center works to find an adopting family for them. They have successfully saved and adopted out more than 660 dogs and cats in the past five years. To view their adoptable pets, to volunteer, or to make a donation, please visit them online at www.thepetrescuecenter.org or call 877.277.7938.

About the ASPCA®

Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first animal welfare organization in North America and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animals. More than two million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. For more information, please visit www.ASPCA.org, and be sure to follow the ASPCA on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.






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