Pamper Guests - The Parklander Magazine

SERVICEHelpingfour-leggedfriendsfor the homeless and helplessanimals in SouthFlorida, there are organizationswhose missionsare to look out for their bestinterests, help them overcomesignificant health issues and findthem forever homes.Staffed almost entirely bydevoted volunteers, these organizationsrely on private donationsand grants to operate. And whileevery animal rescue can usemonetary donations, many alsokeep a wish list of material needsto keep their operations runningeffectively. They include papertowels, Styrofoam plates, toys,canned cat food, dry cat food,bleach, laundry detergent, spraycleaners, baby wipes, cat beds,washcloths and towels.“When people bring us thematerials we need, we have moremoney to spend on medical care,”said director Cindy Weber ofFeline Friends, a Deerfield Beachshelter that houses 60 to 65 catsthat are allowed to roam free inthe facility. “We spend a lot of timewith severely injured and traumatizedcats to give them a life.”Kittens and cats recuperatingfrom severe injuries safely spendtheir days in large bird aviaries.“We don’t turn down thehardship cases,” said Weber.Contact: 954-596-0848 andwww.felinefriendsfl.com.Chesed Foundation Dog andCat Rescue, a Boca Raton-basedorganization which is dedicated tothe rescue and placement ofunwanted pets, uses fosterhomes while they carefully matchpets with forever homes. “Thereis a lot of driving involved in rescuinganimals,” says Bobbi Miller,a volunteer for Chesed.For that reason, she says theorganization can always use giftcertificates for gas stations. Inaddition, Chesed looks for newpet toys, gift cards for pet and discountstores, wee-wee pads, nonclumpingcat litter, postagestamps, playpens, gates, dog collarsand leashes, crates, cleanblankets, clean dog beds and premiumdog and cat food and treats.Chesed works with local lawenforcement agencies to take inanimals rescued from cruelty andabuse. Often these animalsrequire extensive and expensivemedical care and rehabilitation,so like Feline Friends, money thatisn’t spent on supplies mostoften goes to medical care.Contact: 561-213-5773 andwww.chesed-rescue.org.No Paw Left Behind wasfounded as a feral dog rescue inMiami-Dade County and todayhas evolved into a network offoster homes where the focus ison rescuing, rehabilitating andplacing severely injured, abusedand feral dogs and cats.Founder Jacquelyn Johnstonsays that No Paw Left Behindcan always use pet food, carriers,kitty litter, old towels, laundrydetergent, cleaning suppliesincluding bleach, plastic vegetablebags, baby shampoo, shoeboxes, disposable cat litter pans,collars, and leashes. Contact:www.nopawleftbehind.org.—Lottie Nilsen40 DECEMBER 2010