NJ Aid for Animals’ Delivers Lifesaving Vaccines for Camden Animals and Introduces “Lost No More” at its Spring Event
CAMDEN – (March 18, 2013) – In its tireless quest to ensure good health and a decent quality of life for pets owned by underserved populations in and around Camden, the most violent city in America, NJ Aid for Animals (NJAFA) is offering needy pet owners a lifesaving vaccine for their pets for a $1.00 donation and a microchip. On Saturday, April 6 Camden City residents can bring their dogs or cats to the FOP Lodge, 1137 Federal Street, Camden City, from 9 a.m. to Noon. No reservation is required.
A tax-exempt nonprofit, NJ Aid for Animals is the only all-volunteer animal rescue that provides this type of community service bringing affordable lifesaving vaccines to Camden to protect dogs against the highly contagious Parvo virus and the upper respiratory and calici virus for cats. Parvo is a deadly condition that ranks second only to hot weather trauma as the top cause of preventable canine deaths in summer. There is no drug to give to a dog that kills Parvo virus once the animal is infected.
“Rabies vaccines are given by the state at free clinics, but parvo vaccines are costly, especially for residents in low-income areas, said Kathy McGuire, President & CEO, NJ Aid for Animals. “This represents our commitment to the animals in Camden.”
In addition to receiving a lifesaving vaccine, NJAFA is introducing their new microchip program “Lost No More”. Dogs and cats will receive a free microchip (while supplies last) being sponsored by guests of the event, Guardians of Rescue.
The Guardians of Rescue are a national organization headquartered in New York and whose volunteer members work to protect the wellbeing of all animals.
The “Lost No More”program seeks sponsors like the Guardians to help offset the cost of the chips. “We are thrilled the Guardians are traveling to Camden to offer their assistance”, said President of NJAFA, Kathy McGuire”.
Dogs especially in Camden don’t just become lost. They are abandoned or dumped. If a dog is chipped, animal control will be able to identify who the culprit was and charge them.
Microchips reunite lost and runaway dogs with their families. There is a very low reclaim rate at the local shelter but the animal control can scan the dogs when they are picked up and return them before they even hit the shelter. This keeps space open at the shelter and more dogs from being euthanized.
Lastly, the people who buy dogs to use as bait or weapons and train the dogs to fight will be permanently identified. When the dog gets loose or are found dumped, the dog can be traced back to the owner (like guns and serial numbers) and charged.
Said Robert Misseri, President of Guardians of Rescue, “We must find a way to stop the influx of dogs being euthanized. Even if these chips only reunite a small percentage of dogs to owners over a year that is less dogs being put to sleep. We are happy to be part of the Camden experience.” The chips will be implanted by trained vets and vet techs.
This new “layer” of a microchip for the dogs and cats in Camden fits in nicely with the NJ Aid for Animals’ Pet Enrichment Program and in particular, building capacity with other organizations like the Guardians who have stepped up to provide much needed support and aid in Camden. In today’s tight economy it makes sense for charities to pool resources and volunteers and is in keeping with both organizations’ mission of preventing animal abuse and promoting the well-being of animals.
McGuire added, “NJ Aid for Animals has been transforming animals’ lives in Camden since 2005 and have become the standard-bearer for this type of program in Camden. It is through partnering, collaborating, sharing services and cooperation with other agencies that can serve the animals the best.”
NJ Aid for Animals is a non-profit 501c3 tax-exempt, all volunteer organization with the mission to provide encourage spay and neuter, enrich every animals’ life they come in contact with, report abuse and seek justice.
NJAFA needs the publics’ support in purchasing the chips for future vaccine clinics. At just $7.50 you can help save a dogs’ life or help track down an abuser. For more information or to donate call: 856.728.0911 or visit www.njafa.org or info@njafa.org.