Kerry D'Amato Helping Pets and People in Crisis
A nonprofit fundraiser supporting
Pet Haven Inc. of MNThis year has been extra hard on pets and people. Please consider even a small gift to help.
$200
raised by 3 people
$5,000 goal
I started working with Pet Haven, Minnesota's first foster based rescue in August of 2019. I know how important and life-saving this work is being that I have been in the rescue world for over 30 years. But what I didn't know is how much my work with Pet Haven would fill my heart and whole being. Since my start we have saved over 1,000 pets many considered un-adoptable, in need of behavioral help or medical attention outside of routine care.
This work is not easy. It can be incredibly heartbreaking and some days I am not sure I can continue. The grief can be paralyzing and overwhelming. But it is also incredibly "heart expanding", uplifting, and joyous. There are times that I am screaming for joy knowing we saved that "special one at risk". A roller coaster ride does not even begin to touch on the emotional journey I am on! Apart from being a parent, this is the most important and rewarding work I have ever done. This is Work Worth Doing.
Due to the pandemic and economic downturn, pets and people in crisis have increased dramatically. It's been heartbreaking to see. Shelters were ordered to shut down, strays had nowhere to go, spay and neuter services stopped, people in crisis is on the rise and our marginalized communities such as Minnesota's Tribal Nations were hit the hardest.
In this time of economic uncertainty Pet Haven could have taken the safe route, pulled back and limited our intake due to the drop in donations but we didn't. I had faith our community would pull us through and I made the life-saving decision to open our reach as wide as we could and say YES to where we were needed most.
We increased our foster base bringing our active fosters up to over 350 thus allowing us to save more lives.
We adapted to virtual home visits in order to continue adopting out as many pets as we could, "match-making" and making families whole.
We increased our Owner Surrender team to be able to help more pet owners in crisis. Over 100 pet owners found peace knowing their beloved family member is safe in a loving home and not in a shelter or worse.
We stepped up and helped remove over 350 unwanted pets from shelters many needing medical care or considered not adoptable. We provided the medical care and behavioral support they needed to help them be the best pet they can be and found homes for all of them!
We went where we were needed most helping over 250 cats and dogs in need on Minnesota's reservations find a warm place to land.
We provided a safe warm place, in loving foster homes, to over 50 kittens born in our care.
We have found homes for 652 pets and helped make families whole
In 2019 we saved 526 pets. This year we are on track to DOUBLE that with over 800 saved to date and we are not done yet!!
I am so proud of the work I do with the help of over 400 volunteers and 2 other staff members. Because we utilize a strong volunteer base we are able to ensure your support goes directly to animal care and not administrative costs.
Because of the support of our community we can keep saving lives. Because of you we can do more!
The More We Raise, The More We Save!
Please consider even a small gift today. Together we can save more pets lives and help more people in crisis. This is My Work Worth Doing.
Please check out our website and see more about what Pet Haven does to support the animals and people in our community.