· Special Needs Animals >

The HSSA has set up a specific fund to cover costs of care for animals with extraordinary needs. The following examples are, unfortunately, common occurances that we need your help to deal with:

· Abuse >
Often, we receive animals who have been abused. Many of these pets will be frightened, and hover at the back of the kennel, in fear of all who pass by.

Unbelievably, we also receive animals who have been neglected, tortured, burned and battered. We have found that with proper medical attention, nurturing and care, these animals are able to overcome their well-founded fear and become wonderful companions.

In fact, our experience has proven, with the proper care - these animals are some of the most adoptable and loyal pets. Medical and social intervention provides a new opportunity to these unfortunate and helpless victims.

· Special Medical Needs >
We frequently receive animals that require surgery or special medical care that lies outside the purview of our spay/neuter personnel. Without funding for surgery (such as fixing a broken limb, or correcting a painful home "ear crop job"), these animals are not in adoptable condition.

Since this equipment is not onsite, in order for the surgical procedure to occur, we must rely on an outside veterinarian. Currently we have extremely limited funds for this purpose, and many otherwise perfectly adoptable animals are not allowed a second chance. In addition, these animals require foster care for postoperative and rehabilitative purposes.

· Animals from Homes of Domestic Violence >
We work with a variety of human emergency shelters, which do not have facilities to accommodate animals.

Oftentimes, although the children and spouse victims escape from the abusive home, the animals are left behind. Research has proven that an abuser is an abuser - if he/she abuses people, then most likely they include animals as their targets.

To further increase the possibility of violence, once the other victims have evacuated, the "easiest" place for the abuser's rage to turn is toward the family pet(s). This program allows us to set up special safe havens for the animal victims of domestic violence.

The foster parents assume responsibility for the animal(s) until such time as the home is a safe environment for all the victims.