Pro-BONE-O! Help for Homeless Families' Pets
Published: Wed, 03/03/10
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Pet Tips 'n' Tales© Pro-BONE-O Free Veterinarian Clinic for Homeless Families' Pets  Photo by Mary Ellen "Angel Scribe"© Last December, it was a festive day at the Pro-Bone-O clinic held at the Church of the Nazarene. Destiny leans on Ariel, Korin brought Koda, Bree holds Echo and kitty Chloe, Cindy has Buddy, and Nancy has Medusa.
TALES People arrived with their dogs on leashes and their cats in homemade crates. Everyone bubbled with excitement like children on Christmas morning. The reason was that their pets were about to receive much-needed free veterinary care.
The Pro-Bone-O clinic is a nonprofit organization that provides veterinary service to homeless families' pets.
Each clinic is sponsored soley through donations, and last years were paid for from generous donations to the Cottage Grove Humane Society in memory of Dr. Bill Steinkruger, and John Ratliff and his dog Blue. The Humane Society of Cottage Grove approached Pro-Bone-O with the idea of conducting clinics. The families line their pets up for vaccinations, minor treatment for wounds, ear mite medication, and vouchers for spaying or neutering. Kathy, a volunteer at the clinic, said, "Everyone is very grateful and appreciative. We are all here for the same reason with a common bond to help pets." Nancy, proudly showing off her puppy Medusa, said, "This clinic helps us help our pets to be healthier." Pam arrived with her two much-loved dogs, 13-year-old Buddy and 2-year-old Mugsy, "Pro-Bone-O neutered Mugsy a year ago, and it changed him in one day! He went from cranky to cuddly. He is the best dog now. We consider our dogs as a lifelong commitment, and we would not part with them. Our dogs are like our children; at the same time, they are therapy for our situation. Our dogs give us love and respect. We have been homeless for a year. People won't rent to those of us with dogs...so what can we do! We are not giving up our dogs."
Then, Pam had Mugsy perform his famous bark-talk, and he amazingly voiced in English, "I love you."
In the last few years, the world has changed. Families have found themselves suddenly without jobs, or worse, homes. If that is not bad enough, their family pets are also suffering. People pass homeless people on the street as if they carry "the plague of homelessness." "Avert eyes." "Do not make any contact" runs through their minds as if the homelessness may be contagious to their own families' life style. They are more afraid of the homeless situation than of the people caught in it. Being homeless has an invisibility to it and as Anne, a volunteer for Pro-Bone-O, said, "It deeply touched me when one man said his dog gave him visibility. People who would normally ignore him now stopped to speak to him. They asked his dog's name and take interest in his living conditions. Pets add a human touch to a difficult situation." It was wonderful experiencing the atmosphere of joy at Pro-Bone-O, and it was surprising to see how those who have so little reach out to animals. Many, even in their difficult living situations, had found their pets as strays and offered them the comfort of warm arms and a loving heart. It is all many had to offer. Bless the veterinarians, the vet. techs, and the Humane Society volunteers who spent hours administering to the pets and honoring their pet parents. "Thank you to everyone for donating their time, products, and funds making this clinic possible," said Janetta Overholser, President of the Humane Society of Cottage Grove. Pastor Cindy Slaymaker graciously opened her church doors for the clinic because, "John Ratliff's beloved dog Blue was a rescued dog as are many homeless family's pets. Homeless people more than likely know how it feels to be unwanted and needy. This feeling is one our Church congregation sees in the homeless we serve every week whether at Wednesday's free meals or the Laundromat services we provide for them.
National statistics state that three out of five families are only two paychecks away from being homeless. We understand that it could be anyone of us on any given day. We were glad to be of service to these families and their pets."
TIPS  Photo by Mary Ellen "Angel Scribe"©
Tiffany and her family brought Woody to Pro-BONE-O for his wellness check up.
Dr. Linda and vet. tech Kate volunteered their day to make a difference in the lives of pets and people. Twenty-four veterinarians are involved in Pro-Bone-O, which holds monthly clinics in Eugene. Many vets. donate their time and others donate supplies, vaccines, medicine, equipment, pet food, and flea products. Several local area businesses donate food and supplies, and citizens' donations buy the rest. Each clinic is staffed by a volunteering veterinarian, an Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine student, and many community members.
The last clinic in Cottage Grove was held in December because funds have run out. You can help create another clinic by reaching out and helping those in need by donating to the Cottage Grove Humane Society PO Box 61, Cottage Grove, OR 97424 USA. Your generosity helps people by helping their pets! http://proboneo.org/ A new Pro-Bone-O clinic building will soon be up and running in Eugene. It is located 22 miles north of Cottage Grove. http://kezi.com/page/160913
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