Organizations all over the world are dealing with the ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic, and Connecticut animal group Pack Leaders Rescue is no exception.
Based in East Hartford, but drawing volunteers and adopters from all over the area, Pack Leaders Rescue of Connecticut honors a mission of saving the lives of dogs and cats both locally, and from the South, that have been abandoned, abused or neglected.
“We prepare them for a forever home through the three branches of our organization,” reads the rescue’s website. The organization’s transport service and behavioral training program allow them to rescue, evaluate and rehabilitate animals, who are then placed in homes through the rescue program. The group’s rescue and behavioral training programs maintain relationships with adopters to ensure successful placements that last a lifetime.
Pack Leaders Rescue of Connecticut started with founders Victoria and Americo rescuing a blind dog in need. Victoria immediately became a volunteer for a local rescue. Americo, a professionally certified dog behaviorist, also soon became involved. Their home in Connecticut became a safe haven for dogs and cats in need, both local and out of state. Since then, Pack Leaders has opened a facility in East Hartford, developed a foster program and started its own transport service.
But recently, COVID-19 has necessitated changes in how the rescue operates.
“We had to cancel our weekly adoption events at PetSmart in Manchester,” said co-founder and Director of Adoptions Tori Cateni. While the group is still able to process adoptions, they have had to temporarily suspend large adoption events in favor of private meetings.
“We still have amazing volunteers that help us bathe and get our rescue animals ready for their forever home,” said Cateni, adding that all volunteers are currently wearing masks and observing proper social distancing rules.
Pack Leaders Rescue has recently taken in five pregnant moms, with a total of 30 babies combined, and can use assistance in providing for these vulnerable animals.
“We have an Amazon wish list , with pee pads, puppy food and poop bags being high on the list,” Cateni said. The rescue is always in need of used towels, as well as cleaning chemicals, laundry soap and paper towels.
“We are also trying to send food and supplies to our rescue partners in Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi, who have been very hard-hit with flooding and tornadoes,” Cateni said. Volunteers travel south every week.
Unfortunately, COVID-19 has led to the cancellation of Pack Leaders’ Spring Fun Run, for which they coordinated with UCONN’s Paws and Claws. The Fun Run, “was a huge event to help us fund medical treatment for many of our rescue animals, and was a huge fundraiser for us that we had to cancel,” Cateni said.
Anyone interested in donating to Pack Leaders Rescue can send a donation through Paypal to www.packleadersrescue.com. You can access a donate tab through the rescue’s website. You can also check out animals available for adoption through the site. You can also check out the rescue’s Amazon wish list, or drop off donations and towels at: 1026 Tolland St., East Hartford, CT 06108.
Pack Leaders Rescue was just awarded a $20,000 grant as part of Pet Smart Charities’ Emergency Relief Fund to assist animal welfare organizations in areas highly affected by COVID-19. Funds are still available for shelters in need, and PetSmart Charities is actively seeking applicants.
