Lyndsay Fogarty
Each year, more than 2 million perfectly healthy cats and dogs are euthanized, according to the ASPCA’s website. Locally, the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando plays its part in ensuring that pets get placed in loving homes. Last year, the organization found homes for more than 10,000 homeless dogs and cats. The Pet Alliance has an adoption rate of 90 percent, which is twice the national average, and has had more than 80,000 pets adopted into new homes within the past 10 years.
The Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando offers a variety of services to find shelter animals homes and to keep animals with homes out of shelters. Owners of dogs with inappropriate behavior habits can enroll their dogs at Bark University. Bark U trainers teach dogs basic skills like good manners, obedience and positive interaction skills. Pet Alliance also offers education and outreach programs to teach individuals about proper dog ownership as well as affordable veterinary care with some free services to income-qualified families.
Senior pet owners living on fixed incomes can take advantage of the Pet Alliance Pet Food Pantry program. This adjunct program is available to seniors living in Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties who meet specific criteria. Program volunteers deliver pre-packaged pet food to seniors once a month. This program allows seniors to keep their furry friends with them at home while providing them with proper nutrition. More than 200 Central Florida seniors and 300 pets are being served through this program.
Volunteers are the hands, hearts and souls that keep the Pet Alliance programs up and running. Both the staff at the shelter, and the animals that call it home, count on these generous individuals within the Central Florida community.
How You Can Help:
1. Make a tax-deductible donation through the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando website.
2. Purchase wish list items from the organization’s virtual store or from a local store and drop them at either shelter location.
3. Become a shelter volunteer and donate your time as an event helper, dog walker, kitty cuddler and more.
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