July 20, 2008

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- A play-date accident almost turned fatal for a 12-year-old Golden Retriever named Angel.

While frolicking in a park with her sister Bonnie, an 11-year-old Brendel, and another dog, collided with Angel. The impact twisted Angel's hind leg and tore her ACL.

"It was devastating. I was in tears," said her owner, Janet Murchinson of St. Petersburg.

Murchison was cash-strapped at the time and couldn't afford the expensive surgery to fix Angel's leg. She agonized over what she thought were her only two options.

"I would have had to put her down, or give her over to (a shelter)," Murchinson said.

But that was until she found the Aid-A-Pet program at the Humane Society of Pinellas. The program offers no-interest loans to long-term pet owners.

"We've come to realize this is really a need in our community," said shelter manager Abagail Appleton. "We really feel it's in the best interest of the animal, rather than have (the owner) surrender the animal to us and put up for adoption … we feel it's in the best interest of the owner and animal if the animal stays with the owner. We want to promote long-term pet ownership."

Since the program began in November 2006, Aid-A-Pet loans have paid for health care for more than 75 pets -- services as simple as a vaccination to treating catastrophic events like injuries from a car accident.

The Humane Society of Pinellas places no limits on the amount of money an owner can receive -- it's simply based on need.

To be eligible, pet owners must apply, go through an interview process, a reference check and a consultation with a vet. Once approved, owners can take their pets to one of the vets who has agreed to offer discount medical services for treatment. Owners can repay the loan, or pay back the amount of money in volunteer hours.

"The criteria is making sure people have made a commitment to their pet. That doesn't necessarily mean they've made sure the vaccines happen every year. We want to make sure this is somebody who cares for their animal and made a long term commitment to care for their pet not only in the past, but into the future," Appleton said.

A large donation created the program. But it's become so popular, Aid-A-Pet has run out of money. Appleton is hopeful the community will see its value and provide funds to continue the program.

"There's not a lot of resources for people who have problems like this," Appleton said. "We're looking forward to donations to making (Aid-A-Pet) continue."

Murchison calls the program "a blessing". The $1,400 Aid-A-Pet loan she received paid for Angel's surgery and she's now back to active play dates. Murchison is repaying the loan $25 at a time and hopes to earn extra money to put towards the program.

To help resurrect the Aid-A-Pet program go to humanesocietyofpinellas.org

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