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These Valentines will help pound dogs get homes
Friends of Fido is fundraising for dog pound
YOUNGSTOWN
Forgotten furry friends at the Mahoning County dog pound are receiving valentines.
Friends of Fido, a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing dogs, is in its fourth year of fundraising for Valentine’s Day.
Trish Collins, Friends of Fido volunteer, said the idea stemmed from a Facebook post from a fellow rescue in another state.
“We ask everyone to just send in a card or a valentine and a dollar for the dogs,” she said. “It becomes so successful because so many people send in more than that, which really helps out our dogs.”
Last year the event raised more than $10,000.
The money goes toward veterinarian care for the dogs, which Collins said can total more than $50,000 annually.
Volunteer and Friends of Fido board member Evelyn Tkalec said of the 1,400 dogs the pound cared for in 2015, she took as many as eight dogs to the vet in any given week.
Rick Tunison, kennel manager and a veterinary technician, said he finds what the Valentine’s Day program does for the pound to be amazing.
“Without these types of programs a lot of these dogs wouldn’t be able to get the type of veterinary care they need or the ability they have to move to different rescues,” he said.
Some of the rescue centers the dogs go to include Angels for Animals, Paw Platoon, All Paws are Perfect, Legacy Dog Rescue, One of a Kind and Little Lovebugs.
“We all work very hard to get them rescued,” Collins said.
Volunteer Jerry Serbel, dog father of six furry children, said he gets satisfaction in being able to just help.
“We love the dogs,” he said. “When they are abandoned and need help, they can’t fend for themselves. That’s when we come in.”
People can mail valentines and donations to P.O. Box 14155, Poland, OH 44514.
For information visit friendsoffidomahoning.org or petfinder.com/shelters/OH599.html.
“We are just grateful people participate,” Collins said. “Everybody can get involved, It’s just adorable.”