The Healing Touch

A Helping Hand For Man’s Best Friends

PHOTOS: F. WEINER and Dr. C. RHINESMITH

Relief through financial assistance comes to the aid of our four-legged friends. The SPCA/Humane Society of Prince George’s County (PGSPCA) has received a $2,500 grant from Lil BUB's Big Fund for the ASPCA. These funds will seed a new program, HEAL: Helping Every Animal with Love, which will treat ill and injured Prince George’s County shelter animals who would otherwise be euthanized. In addition to covering the treatment costs through HEAL, the PGSPCA will also provide foster care and place these animals in new homes.

 “This county’s animal control programs are underfunded, so the PGSPCA helps wherever we can. We typically take in the neediest but still adoptable animals, the ones who won’t survive the shelter,” said Tamela Terry, President of the group. “They often have significant medical needs; we save them from euthanasia, treat them and foster them until we find their forever home. Far more need help than our budget permits, so this grant really fills a need. With the HEAL program, we can save even more.”

 In just the first month, the grant has already helped two animals who desperately needed surgery.

Evie, a ten-week old kitten, was born with a diaphragmatic hernia, which forced her intestines into her chest. She would've died or been euthanized. Thanks to HEAL and the seed funding, Evie is recovering and will be up for adoption in about a month.  

Nine-month-old Tessa, a lovable bulldog mix, was unadoptable before the PGSPCA stepped in. As a puppy, Tessa suffered an injury that prematurely closed the growth plate in her ulna, causing her elbow to be misaligned. After orthopedic surgery to extend the bone, Tessa is recuperating in her foster home, and will get physical therapy before she’s ready to be adopted. 

 “It feels great to be able to make a difference for these pets and for the families who eventually adopt them,” said Terry. “And with more donations and grants, the HEAL program can save even more of these ill-fated animals.”

About PGSPCA

The SPCA/Humane Society of Prince George’s County, Inc. (PGSPCA) is a nonprofit organization of volunteers dedicated to animal welfare. We are chartered by the State of Maryland, but we receive no state or county funds. Our activities are supported solely by contributions, dues, grants, and other fundraising.

The three main objectives:

1.       To reduce pet overpopulation through the progressive spay/neuter program

2.       To prevent animal cruelty, neglect, and suffering through investigations, legal action, affordable vaccinations, and an active dog and cat adoption program;

3.       To promote animal-friendly public policy through humane education.

For more information, please visit pgspca.org