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Fund helps ease the financial bummer for pet owners needing veterinary care
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Dr. Charles Sung, a Hubbard veterinarian, who helped establish the Bummer Fund to help pay for animal care.
The Bummer Fund gave out about $5,000 to 12 families in 2008.
YOUNGSTOWN — The Bummer Fund needs help, and people and their pets need the Bummer Fund — particularly in these tough economic times.
The fund, founded in 1994 by Anne McMahon in honor of her beloved family cat, Bummer, helps responsible pet owners in temporary financial crisis get medical treatment for their animals.
Bummer, so named by McMahon because of his erratic but endearing behavior, lived with her for 20 years and was cared for by Hubbard veterinarian Dr. Charles Sung for the last two years of his life.
“When Bummer died, I tried to give Dr. Sung a donation because I knew he did a lot of pro bono work,” McMahon said.
But Dr. Sung refused the gift for himself and suggested instead using the money to create a fund, which became the Bummer Fund, to help people who want to take care of their animals but can’t cope with catastrophic medical costs.
“The Bummer Fund addresses a small niche in the animal care network that is not often covered. I am very, very happy about it. My allergies prevent me having any more pets, and this is a way to honor my pet and Dr. Sung. I feel the Bummer Fund has made a difference in a responsible way,” McMahon said.
“I’m not otherwise active in the animal arena. I just wanted to honor my wonderful pet,” she said.
“I’m glad to see that the generous gift given by Mrs. McMahon is helping a wide range of people,” said Dr. Sung.
The Bummer Fund is active in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties.
There are always people in need of this service, particularly in these tough economic times, he said.
The fund gave out about $5,000 to 12 families in 2008, said Sue Sexton, who has been president of the fund for a decade. McMahon is secretary of the nonprofit organization, which is run by a board of directors.
Sexton, a professional trumpet player who is a member of the Sheet & Tube Brass Quartet and has taught and performed for several area universities, is a pet owner and a client of Dr. Sung’s. She is also a massage therapist and a member of the faculty at Tri-State College of Massotherapy in North Lima.
Sexton, who lives on Youngstown’s North Side with her husband, Gary, director of WYSU Radio at YSU, also does a lot of animal rescue work.
She said the Bummer Fund considers only clients referred to it by veterinarians, who screen for responsible pet owners, make diagnoses and provide an estimate of the cost of the needed procedure.
Other primary criteria for receiving help from the Bummer Fund: The pet must have a fixable problem with a good chance for recovery, and the owner must be in temporary financial crisis. Special consideration is given to seniors on fixed incomes, Sexton said.
For example, one case involved a 3-year-old cat that developed bladder stones and needed immediate surgery, which would cost about $1,000 — an amount the owner could not afford at that point. The fund helped pay for the surgery, and the cat was returned to its grateful owner.
“Even when we can’t help people financially, sometimes we can refer them elsewhere or just listen and suggest options to help them get through their crisis,” she said.
There are also some things the Bummer Fund does not do, Sexton said.
“We have to deny help for Good Samaritan animals that have been rescued, or animals with conditions brought on by neglect on the part of the owner. We are a small organization without the resources to help in those areas, and there are other groups who do,” she said.
People may receive more information about the Bummer Fund and an application for funds by calling Sexton at (330) 746-5010.
Bummer Fund clients may go to any veterinarian. Dr. Sung deliberately sees very few of the fund recipients to maintain an arm’s-length relationship with the organization, for which he is the medical adviser, Sexton said.
Because the tough economic times have led to more than the usual number of requests for help from the fund, Dr. Sung is conducting a fundraiser May 2 at noon at his Animal Care Hospital at 47 Hall Ave. in Hubbard.
He said he will donate the proceeds from routine appointments, such as examinations, ear cleaning, nail clipping and shots, to the Bummer Fund.
People who wish to donate to the fund can do so by sending a tax-deductible contribution to The Bummer Fund, 269 Redondo Road, Youngstown, OH 44504.
“I see the Bummer Fund as a way to enhance the quality of life in our community. Our emotional well-being is so connected to our pets. They are part of the glue that holds our community together,” Sexton said.
alcorn@vindy.com