Gateway Pet Guardians: Beggin' Pet Parade Grant Report

How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?

The money was used for vetting our rescued pets. As an organization that doesn't euthanize for space or illness, our average cost per rescued pet is approximately $420.

In order to rescue, our organization must have two things: space and funding. As mentioned, each rescue is, on average, $420. These costs include common procedures and vaccinations such as spay/neuter, rabies, distemper and parvo vaccines and heartworm preventative. Additionally, the majority of our adult dogs rescued from the East St. Louis service area also have heartworm disease. This is a costly procedure. Many of our dogs are also injured or ill due to neglect and malnourishment. This grant allowed us to save the lives of these animals who may have been passed over by others.

How many pets did this grant help?

This grant saved two dogs throughout their stay with our organization. We were able to adopt out two completely healthy dogs!

Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.

We’d like to share the story of Gaya. Late at night on June, 1, 2015, rescuers from Gateway Pet Guardians were notified of a dog tied up to a stop sign in Washington Park, IL. In the wee hours, volunteers rushed to the area to find her. Her rescuers quickly pulled the heavy tow chain off from around her neck and removed her from the stop sign. Gaya was emaciated and hot. Once at the vet, it was determined that she was severely malnourished, suffered from mange, had heartworms and had numerous sores on her body. Gaya weighed only 38 lbs. The chain we removed was 39 lbs. Gaya quickly made her way to a foster home and has never left. Her foster dad and four-legged siblings fell in love with her and decided to adopt her.