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Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Home Van Pet Care News - November 2020

 

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Our mission: To provide food for pets of homeless persons in our community; offer education on pet care and spay/neuter; assist with access to veterinary care;  foster respect for animals and the animal/human bond.

"How about some good news?"
Sheryl Crow (1983)
Dear friends, we have some really good news this time!
 

A NEW LIFE FOR THE DOG LEVI


We now have a really wonderful home for the Dog Levi. You remember he
was the dog who was chained out for a whole year. At the age of 2 he had never been free and was never taken inside or for a walk.

As soon as we saw Levi we wanted him, but it took a while and then a while
for boarding, but then …

Our new friends, Sterling and Rachel took Levi on as a foster and now are "foster to adopt"; Adoption will happen in spring of 2021 when Sterling graduates. Levi tested positive for heartworms and was treated with the "slow kill"; method with Vet Molly Pearson. After six months of Heartgard we expect he will test negative. In the meantime we will furnish medical expenses and basic food needs to Sterling and Rachel since they are students.

Elizabeth reported: "When I visited a week ago, I was invited inside with Levi and Sterling. I sat on Levi's couch and the two of us were really overjoyed to
be together. I got many kisses and we were happy. Levi is happy, he is
healthy and loves Sterling and Rachel and they love him in return."
Again, we want to thank Phil Singer at All Paws Boarding, and Cassie at Gainesville Pet Rescue. Cassie posted Levi on their Facebook page where Sterling found him. We also thank all of you who supported us in so many ways.

We still need some financial support and good wishes from you in the coming year and we will list some items at the end of this newsletter.
Thank you dear friends, for making this possible

HOME VAN PET CARE PROJECT IN 2021


In March 2020 we made our last pet food delivery to Dignity Village. It was a
wrench but Pete Monte, the new Pet Care Coordinator for Grace had let us know that he had sufficient food coming in and arrangements made to distribute the pet food on the Grace campus.

We at Home Van Pet Care Project have wanted an on-campus pet facility for a long time. It is good to see it happening, although slowly as you can imagine. Grace Director Jon deCarmine has done a great job dealing with CoVid with extra cleaning, rearrangement of dorms for distancing, testing twice a week, quarantine area. Very professional and caring.

We kept in touch with Pete, but didn't go to Grace until October, when we resumed attendance at the monthly veterinary clinic. Our wonderful veterinarian, Dr. Patti Gordon now sees pets in the former Welcome Center on Grace campus and many times Dr. Molly Pearson comes to assist.

We are still working on sufficient space for the cats at Dignity. There are not too many kitties now, but with government allowing evictions we are sure there will be more of both dogs and cats and people.

Rather than carry large amounts of pet food in our vehicle, we will carry small amounts and will become a bit more mobile. We want to contact people who are homeless in downtown Gainesville to give food for their pets and steer them to Grace.

We also have a number of people who are housed, some of whom we have known for a long time. We can sometimes give them a large bag of pet food and they will share with friends and neighbors in need.

We are continuing our commitment to our Partners Committee, i.e., Grace Marketplace, St. Francis Pet Care Project, Humane Society of North Central Florida and Home Van Pet Care Project, Inc. No in person meetings yet, but we keep in touch by meeting on an individual basis

Our best to all of you, keep safe and keep in touch.

Best wishes from Home Van Pet Care Project, Inc.
ITEMS THAT WE NEED NOW:
  • Donations toward pet deposits (designate if you donate for this)
  • Small bags of Purina Dog Chow (green bags)
  • Small and/or large bags of Purina Friskies Seafood Sensation
  • Fancy Feast cat food
  • Large size collars and leashes
  • We always love those soft fuzzy little blankets
  • Any surprises that you think the pets would like.
Any amount toward our project expenses is always welcome.
Donate Now
Donations can be left at any of these locations:

Sissets Home & Patio, 3433 W. University Ave., Gainesville, 32607, 352-224-5192
Micanopy Animal Hospital, 306 US-441, Micanopy FL 32667, 352-466-0067
All Cats Healthcare Clinic, 1034 NW 13th St., Gainesville, 32601 352-376-2287
Financial donations can be made by check payable to Home Van Pet Care Project, Inc., and mailed c/o Elizabeth Howard, P.O. Box 14305, Gainesville FL 32604; or by PayPal at our blog, http://homevanpetcareproject.blogspot.com. Money, food, and new or clean leashes, harnesses, collars, bowls, blankets and towels can be dropped off at Sisset's....A Fun Twist on Home & Patio, 3433 W University Ave., 352-224-5192.  For more information or to volunteer, call or text 
352-246-2727.


REG# CH38562.  A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE OR VISITING FLORIDACONSUMERHELP.COM
.  REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Home Van Pet Care Project News - May 2020

Our mission: To provide food for pets of homeless persons in our community; offer education on pet care and spay/neuter; assist with access to veterinary care;  foster respect for animals and the animal/human bond.
"Run to the rescue
with love, and peace
will follow."
River Phoenix
Dear Friends,

Like many individuals and groups, Home Van Pet Care Project has been caught short of time and funds by the Coronavirus. We are seriously in need of donations for our regular activities and also need special funding for the dog Levi, who we rescued in February.

Levi is boarded at All Paws Kennels, and we are sending them a big vote of thanks for all their help. It is through their skill and caring that Levi is walking well on a leash, will sit and accept a treat, and is people friendly, wants to play and is in need of a real home.

You can help by adopting, by fostering, by contacting friends, and by sharing on our FB page and by donating for his care. Contact information is below.
The Story of Levi
When we first learned of Levi's plight he was chained to a post in a dirt pit, his water bowls were perpetually turned over and he was poorly fed. Levi is only two years old, and had been kept on that chain for a year.

As attention was paid, people came to visit and Putnam Animal Services was alerted (Levi was chained near Melrose Fl.) We joined the visitors and soon became determined to free Levi. Within a couple of weeks, the owners were convinced to surrender Levi, and he was taken into Putnam Animal Services. After a few more obstacles Home Van Pet Care was able to take possession of Levi.

We boarded him briefly with a local veterinarian and now at All Paws where he has much more freedom. He's learning to walk on a leash without pulling and other good dog behaviors. No more chains for Levi.

Our goal is to find a "forever" loving home for Levi where his sweetness and energy will be appreciated. He should have a sturdy fence so he can roam freely. According to a friend who visited with Levi recently: "He's a typical pit. Rambunctious and silly. Needs socializing with people and dogs”. Needs lots of exercise and someone willing to do both. Adorable personality. Please get in touch if you are The One or if you have any other questions.

To learn more about Levi or to schedule a visit, you can call or text Elizabeth Howard at 352-246-2727.
Our regular duties as Partners with Grace, Humane Society and St. Francis Pet Clinic are curtailed due to Corona regulations. We do receive calls from former clients who need help at this time and potential clients needing various help. We refer and respond with pet food and information.

Pete Monte, our new Animal Care Coordinator at Grace has been doing a really remarkable job in making arrangements for Dignity residents with pets. Various solutions were found and several dogs and cats and their people are living inside the Temporary campground on Grace campus. We will be sure to keep you advised of the pet project at Grace as it all progresses.
CURRENT NEEDS:
  • Donations toward pet deposits (designate if you donate for this)
  • Cat carriers
  • Leashes
  • Dry Cat food: Purina Friskies Seafood Sensation any size bags
  • Canned cat food: Fancy Feast, small cans
  • Dry Dog Food, needs are pretty well supplied at present
  • Canned Dog Food: Mighty Dog, 12 to a package, or any number of cans
Any amount toward our project expenses is always welcome.
Donate Now
Donations can be left at any of these locations:

Sissets Home & Patio, 3433 W. University Ave., Gainesville, 32607, 352-224-5192
Micanopy Animal Hospital, 306 US-441, Micanopy FL 32667, 352-466-0067
All Cats Healthcare Clinic, 1034 NW 13th St., Gainesville, 32601 352-376-2287
Financial donations can be made by check payable to Home Van Pet Care Project, Inc., and mailed c/o Elizabeth Howard, P.O. Box 14305, Gainesville FL 32604; or by PayPal at our blog, http://homevanpetcareproject.blogspot.com. Money, food, and new or clean leashes, harnesses, collars, bowls, blankets and towels can be dropped off at Sisset's....A Fun Twist on Home & Patio, 3433 W University Ave., 352-224-5192.  For more information or to volunteer, call or text 
352-246-2727.
REG# CH38562.  A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE OR VISITING FLORIDACONSUMERHELP.COM.  REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.

Thursday, February 27, 2020

Home Van Pet Care Project News - February 2020


Our mission: To provide food for pets of homeless persons in our community; offer education on pet care and spay/neuter; assist with access to veterinary care;  foster respect for animals and the animal/human bond.
First, we want to thank everyone who contributed toward our annual Christmas pet party. We held the party in the parking lot at Dignity village, during our December veterinary clinic. I really think this was our best Christmas party ever.

We bagged and packed:
And then once again we loaded up our trusty Subaru:
Distributing the gifts was fun, and there were so many heartfelt thanks:
Thank you dear friends, for making this possible
As we let you know in the December newsletter, Home Van Pet Care Project will be focusing on working with the Wagmore/Grace Pet project in 2020. There have been many delays, but now it seems things are starting to move.

A couple of preparations for pets and their people entering the temporary campground soon:

People with dogs will have an extra space next to their platform and there will be an igloo dog house for the dog. There will also be a dog park and a supervised "kennel" area when owners must be away for short periods of time.
People entering with cats will be given a cat carrier to transport the cats back and forth from their tent to the Cat Room. Habitat cages will be provided as well as litter boxes, water bowls and food.
We will keep you posted as the work goes on.
As we often do, we have a pet needing to relocate:
Meet Jay!!
Jay is a 6 year old male neutered chow/lab mix that is looking for his forever home. He belonged to a resident of Dignity Village but now needs to be rehomed. He is currently at a foster home where he gets along with all the humans and other dogs. He is very affectionate, sweet, and loves to play! Sadly, he is heartworm positive but is currently receiving monthly medications to help kill the worms. If you are interested in meeting him please let us know and we will happily arrange it! Foster to adopt is also encouraged. Can't commit to a new pet but want to help? Please share this post to spread the word!
Comment or message for more info!
One last note, a sad note, as our dear friend Arupa Freeman passed away on December 22, 2019 after a long seige of illnesses. Arupa is well known for helping the homeless and hungry persons in our community. When we first started Home Van Pet Care Project, 13 years ago, we asked Arupa if we could go with her as she traveled around Gainesville each week serving soup and sandwiches to humans. She said "yes," and we began to go with the Home Van every week. We took our own vehicle, full of pet food, collars, leashes and other supplies and followed along behind.

Several years later, when we were ready to get our non-profit status, Arupa agreed that she would share the Home Van name with us, and we have called ourselves Home Van Pet Care Project, ever since. It is an honor and a privilege to be part of Arupa's work, for she loved animals as well as people.
CURRENT NEEDS:
  • Donations toward pet deposits (designate if you donate for this)
  • Cat carriers
  • Leashes
  • Dry Cat food: Purina Friskies Seafood Sensation any size bags
  • Canned cat food: Fancy Feast, small cans
  • Dry Dog Food, needs are pretty well supplied at present
  • Canned Dog Food: Mighty Dog, 12 to a package, or any number of cans
Any amount toward our project expenses is always welcome.
Donate Now
Donations can be left at any of these locations:

Sissets Home & Patio, 3429 W. University Ave., Gainesville, 32607, 352-224-5192
Micanopy Animal Hospital, 306 US-441, Micanopy FL 32667, 352-466-0067
All Cats Healthcare Clinic, 1034 NW 13th St., Gainesville, 32601 352-376-2287
Financial donations can be made by check payable to Home Van Pet Care Project, Inc., and mailed c/o Elizabeth Howard, P.O. Box 14305, Gainesville FL 32604; or by PayPal at our blog, http://homevanpetcareproject.blogspot.com. Money, food, and new or clean leashes, harnesses, collars, bowls, blankets and towels can be dropped off at Sisset's....A Fun Twist on Home & Patio, 3429 W University Ave., 352-224-5192.  For more information or to volunteer, call or text 
352-246-2727.