Veterinarians Give Back To Loudoun County Rescue Animals
LEESBURG, VA — Animals at five rescues in Loudoun County are living a little higher on the hog today thanks to an $11,200 grant round in support of animal welfare across the county.
The funding came from the Pay-it-Forward Animal Welfare (PAW) Fund, which offers funding to organizations focused on animal safety, education, adoption, health and welfare, as well as animal-based human therapy organizations.
The PAW Fund, created by the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties, is made up of a group of veterinarians and was founded in 2018, the organization announced in a news release. At its helm is veterinarian Bill Tyrell.
"Despite residing and working in one of the nation's wealthiest counties, there is a tremendous amount of need in our local community especially since COVID-19. This need can sadly trickle down to our pets,” Tyrrell said in a statement. “We wanted to give back to our local community to help those that might be in need to care for their own pets or those animals that might need a forever home.”
The PAW Fund granted $2,500 to each of the following: Equine Rescue League to support exams and vaccinations for rescue horses, Feline Foundation of Greater Washington to support health care and adoption expenses for cats, Friends of Homeless Animals to support dogs' heartworm treatments, and Middleburg Humane Foundation to offer pet food and low-cost health care to families in need.
Another $1,200 was given to Veterans Moving Forward to help acquire a puppy that will be trained as a service dog for a veteran.
The grant money was gathered by PAW Fund through a giving circle, which pools donations from local people and veterinary practices that then participate in the granting process. Among its members is The Life Centre Emergency & Specialty Veterinary Hospital, CVCA Cardiac Care for Pets, Old Mill Veterinary Hospital, Animal Medical Center of Cascades, Towne Animal Clinic and Dawn and Brian Kennealy.
The nonprofit Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties was founded in 1999 and has given more than $8.8 million back to the community since its inception.
This article originally appeared on the Leesburg Patch
