Wags to Riches

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/toh-wpa/

GENEROUS DONOR MAKES GIFT TO TAILS OF HOPE

Generous volunteer donates funds for surgical equipment as part of annual fund raising appeal

For Immediate Release: 12/11/20

Hermitage, PA – A generous volunteer has donated funds for an important piece of surgical equipment as part of Tails of Hope’s annual fundraising appeal.

Tails of Hope, a non-profit which provides spay/neuter services for cat and dogs, needed to replace one of their autoclave machines.

“A veterinary autoclave is quite possibly the most important piece of veterinary equipment in a clinic,” said Tails of Hope veterinarian Dr. Nicole Grable. “ The autoclave quickly steam sterilizes surgical instruments and tools by gravity-displacement so they can be used again.”

Before the additional new autoclave arrived last week, sterilizing instruments was time-consuming and the organization was incurring increased costs with the added hours. Each autoclave has a maximum capacity and each cycle lasts approximately one hour.

The donor wishes to remain anonymous but asked that the donation be made in honor and memory of her beloved cat, Bobo. The generous donor simply said, “Thank you for all the wonderful work you do.”

Tails of Hope’s 2020 Fund Drive is currently underway to help close the gap created by COVID-19 and the absence of fundraising events which typically generate revenue for the year. Donations are being accepted by mail or through their website.

About Tails of Hope, Inc.

Inquiries:

Media: Diane O’Brien Webster dk29obrien@gmail.com

Consumer: Soraya Hejazi tailsofhopepa@yahoo.com

724-346-4673 (HOPE) 724-346-4673 (HOPE)

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LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/toh-wpa/

WE CELEBRATE THE PAWSITIVE

People and stories that made Tails of Hope possible in 2020:

Volunteers - Our dedicated volunteers and board members find creative ways in 2020 to continue to serve Tails of Hope, its clients, and our mission to impact pet over-population through spay/neuter programs, and support of rescue, rehabilitation, adoption and education.

Clients - Our grateful, kind, and compassionate clients who generously sPAY it forward by donating on their day of service for another animal and/or person in need.

Dr. Nicole Grable - The owner of Pet Set Go led by example and joined Tails of Hope to keep our doors open during a national veterinarian shortage.

The Glenn & Jean Harnett Private Charitable Foundation - Thanks to a grant from this local foundation, financial assistance was made available via Tails of Hope to those who in our community who need it most through both spay/neuter services and pet food distribution events.

The Community Foundation - We were invited to join a new matching program for the community and raised some funds to try to cover the huge losses from fundraising events that were forced to be cancelled this year.

The Turner Family - In honor and memory of Dr. Jennifer L. Turner, funds were provided to cover much needed spay/neuter services for homeless feral cats in our community.

Neil Catrick Harris - This cat literally trotted up to our clinic door and highlighted why we continue our mission: for the homeless and the voiceless that cannot help themselves and need our help. See his story further down on page: Happy Ending for Neil Catrick Harris.

We hope these stories inspire you to make a gift today. Please make a donation by mail or on our website DONATE page. We thank you in advance for your most generous gift.

Out of challenge………….comes new leaders and creativity.

Out of quarantine……….comes bonus time with family and fur babies.

Out of loss…………………..comes a legacy.

Out of your donation…..comes hope.

P.S. Take advantage of the CARES Act* which makes your donation a WIN-WIN. You can deduct more of your charitable donations during these crucial times more than ever before - but only for the rest of 2020!

Tails of Hope, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)3 public charity and all donations are fully tax deductible to the extent required by law. EIN# 81-1070254

Always consult with your tax advisor for your personal situation.

TAILS OF HOPE, INC. NEWS RELEASE

TAILS OF HOPE, INC. PROVIDES FREE STERILIZATION SERVICES AND VACCINATIONS FOR FERAL COMMUNITY CATS

For Immediate Release: 11/10/20

Hermitage, PA– On November 9, 2020, Tails of Hope held a free TNR spay/neuter day for community cats in our community at the Thomas M. O’Brien Animal Care Center in Hermitage. The event was held in honor of Dr. Jennifer L. Turner.

“Trap-Neuter-Return, or TNR for short, is the humane approach to controlling feral cat overpopulation. It’s a community-based program that involves concerned citizens trapping free-roaming cats in your neighborhood, bringing them to a clinic like Tails of Hope to get them spayed or neutered and vaccinated, and then returning the cats to the exact location where they were trapped so they can live out the rest of their natural lives, ideally with a caregiver also providing food, water and shelter for them,” explained Soraya Hejazi, Executive Director of Tails of Hope. “While under anesthesia, the cats also receive an ear-tip—a painless procedure in which the tip of the left ear is removed—a universal sign they have been part of a TNR program.”

There exists in Mercer County a large population of homeless stray and feral cats. Given their strong survival capabilities and prolific breeding, if nothing is done, this population will simply continue to grow. If the population is left unchecked, it will only lead to more and more cats living in unmanaged colonies, a decrease in public tolerance of homeless cats, and increased pressure on the environment, animal control agencies and our society as a whole.

TNR is a community-based program and its success depends on many. A mixture of ten dedicated non-profit groups and individual citizens successfully trapped and transported a total of 71 cats from Greenville, New Castle, Grove City, Sharpsville, Mercer, and Masury to Tails of Hope at the Thomas M. O’Brien Animal Care Center in Hermitage for spay/neuter and vaccination services on November 9, 2020. These services were completed by a 15-person team consisting of Tails of Hope employees, volunteers, and veterinary clinic staff. The impact of this event can be calculated with a lot of multiplication: cat colonies can quickly quadruple in size in a very short period of time, as cats can have two to three litters per year of five to six kittens each, and then those kittens can become pregnant at about six months of age…and so the cycle continues.

“We are indebted to The John and Judy Turner Family and The Glenn & Jean Harnett Private Charitable Foundation for sponsoring this TNR event. We are extremely grateful for the concerned citizens who trap, transport, and return the cats; the caretakers who provide food, shelter, and oversight for the cats; and to our caring and generous volunteers. We could not complete our mission without all of them,” said Soraya Hejazi.

Tails of Hope is seeking to build partnerships with individuals and groups in the community to increase Trap-Neuter-Return efforts that will decrease the number of homeless cats in our community and reduce needless pain and suffering and save cats’ lives at the least cost to the public.

About Tails of Hope, Inc.

About The Glenn & Jean Harnett Private Charitable Foundation

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inquiries:

Media:

Diane O’Brien Webster

724-346-4673 (HOPE)

Consumer:

724-346-4673 (HOPE)

tailsofhopepa@yahoo.com

Follow TOH:

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/toh-wpa/

Event Sponsor and Volunteer Michelle Turner-Mueller transports two anesthetized cats into surgery.

happy ending for neil catric harris

During busy intake on Friday, July 24, 2020, a neighbor in the area walked to our parking lot with a kitten trotting behind her. She did not know where the kitten came from. She was scared he would get hit by a car. The kitten came running to our front door and into the center.

The kitty had to be put in a cat cage while we continued our day, and while we made calls to try to place the kitten in a foster or shelter; Marc also posted on Facebook. Well, everywhere was full, so we decided he could stay for the weekend at Chateau Tails of Hope. Mark decided to name him Neil Catrick Harris (after first considering Hairy Pawter).

The intake/wellness room was transformed into kitty haven for the weekend. I have been coming into play with him, feed him, etc. He purrs non-stop, likes to play and gives lots of kisses.

While I was here Friday night, I saw our next door neighbors outside. I walked up to just explain the situation and ask them if they by any chance knew where this kitten came from; they did not. About 20 minutes later, the doorbell rang at TOH. It was the neighbor again. He said his he and his girlfriend can't say no. So.....

Our neighbors are adopting the kitty! This kitty will join a wonderful cat-friendly dog named Murphy and another black cat (named Oliver or Oscar, sorry I forget which).

The kitty is on our schedule for Monday for tests, vaccines, and neuter after which he will go to his new home.

Happy ending!

Soraya Hejazi, Executive Director

Tails of Hope, Inc. W PA

the best FOURTH ON FOUR LEGS

Make Independence Day safe and fun for you and your pets by taking steps to protect them. Here are some tips to help keep your four-legged loved ones safe:

PROTECT THEM FROM GETTING LOST

While many people enjoy the 4th of July firework festivities, our furry animal companions prefer a quiet time at home. Fireworks are no fun for some pets! The loud noises can frighten dogs and cats, causing them to escape their homes or yard in an attempt to look for safety.

A CALM ENVIRONMENT

The best way to keep your pets safe is to make sure they stay indoors, in an enclosed room or familiar crate with some of their favorite toys, and play soothing and calming music. If you do allow your pet outside, be sure that your gates or fence are secure or that your pet stays on a leash.

CURRENT ID

Make sure your pet has up-to-date identification. If your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar or harness with a current license and/or ID tag on it and a microchip that is registered with your contact information, will help reunite you with your furry family member right away!

STAY AWAY FROM FIREWORKS

Even if your pet does not seem obviously upset by fireworks, they can still cause harm to our animal friends. You can prevent potential burns, injuries, or possible ingestion of fireworks, which can be fatal for pets, by keeping out of the vicinity of fireworks and asking friends and neighbors to avoid using them.

- Los Angeles Department of Animal Services

NEWS RELEASE: 07/27/2020

DYNAMIC DUO RESUMES TAILS OF HOPE’s OPERATIONS (literally!)

TAILS OF HOPE, INC. NEWS RELEASE

DYNAMIC DUO RESUMES TAILS OF HOPE’s OPERATIONS

(literally!)

For Immediate Release: 07/27/2020

Hermitage, PA– Tails of Hope, Inc. is thrilled to announce a new collaborative partnership with Dr. Nicole Grable, DVM, owner of the mobile veterinary clinic Pet Set Go, which allowed it to re-open doors and to resume operations at the only low-cost spay/neuter clinic in Mercer County.

On June 25, 2020 Soraya Hejazi, Executive Director at Tails of Hope, sent out a proposal to veterinary clinics, veterinarians, and vet techs for a collaborative initiative in our area that would allow the organizations and professionals in our area to work together to provide maximum impact for the people and animals in our community.

Dr. Nicole Grable was the first to put action to her words.

“I contemplated several times about reaching out to Tails of Hope as a relief surgeon, to help out for high-volume special events,” explained Dr. Nicole Grable. “When I realized Tails of Hope had been completely shut down during COVID-19 quarantine, and then again due to need for a veterinarian, I knew it was time to step up to the plate.”

Dr. Grable strongly believes Tails of Hope’s ability to provide discounted rates for spay/neuter surgeries and required vaccines fills an enormous need in our community. “Pet overpopulation will continue to be a problem until people in my profession physically start to provide services and education in an affordable manner,” Dr. Grable said. “This is exactly what Tails of Hope is doing-getting the work done. I was compelled to join their collaborative initiative.”

“Tails of Hope is not direct competition for our local veterinary practices."

Dr. Grable has been asked if, as a clinic owner herself, she was worried about losing business to the spay/neuter clinic. “The answer is unequivocally “No,” Dr. Grable said. “Tails of Hope is not direct competition for our local veterinary practices. They don’t provide an on-going Veterinary-Client-Patient relationship or life time medical services. Many of the animals provided for at spay/neuter clinics are those that wouldn’t normally receive much veterinary care, whether because they are strays or have lower-income owners. Non-profits like Tails of Hope allow rescue organizations and owners to provide a level of care that might normally be too expensive. If an owner can bring their pet to Tails of Hope, then at least we know that pet has received Rabies vaccination and has been spayed or neutered. Maybe that owner will have more resources available then if the animal becomes sick and needs to be treated at a general practice. Working with Tails also allows me to promote Pet Set Go and the services we offer for on-going veterinary care. Clients can see my mobile veterinary unit in the parking lot, and are given a Pet Set Go business card and information sheet when they leave. It gives them an immediate option should they need something. Collaborating with Tails of Hope is a win for their organization, my practice, the animals, and our community.”

"They are truly leading by example…to increase the collaborative effort across our community"

Dr. Grable cannot accomplish the surgeries alone through, so she brought Certified Veterinary Technician Bonnie Kerleck with her to work with the Tails of Hope team and resume their services to the community. “Bonnie and I have worked together in the past. She is very knowledgeable, experienced, and has the energy of ten people,” said Dr. Grable. “Together with Tails of Hope’s Executive Director, Soraya Hejazi, and Tails of Hope’s Office Manager, Mark Sabino, we've started a great team with matched enthusiasm, dedication, and willingness to go above and beyond to do the work and create a safe, efficient way to provide for the needs of the animals. And,” Dr. Grable added, “despite the super-fast pace in a high-volume setting, we have a lot of fun together while we work.”

“Dr. Nicole Grable and Bonnie Kerleck are a dynamic duo,” declared Tails of Hope Executive Director, Soraya Hejazi. “We are proud to welcome them to Tails of Hope. They are truly leading by example and we couldn’t be more grateful for their enthusiasm, positivity, forward-thinking and compassion for animals.” Tails of Hope is actively engaging with other clinics and professionals to increase the collaborative effort across our community and hopes to announce further additions in the future that allow their valuable services to be provided additional days per week, plus special high-volume day events. As a non-profit, just as every donation dollar counts, every day with collaboration or volunteers counts.

Pictured above: Dr. Nicole Grable, DVM and Bonnie Kerleck, CVT

Mondays and Fridays

Dr. Nicole Grable’s schedule was effective July 24, 2020 and includes surgeries at Tails of Hope on Mondays and Fridays. Dr. Grable will also be volunteering for Tails of Hope at their first cat/dog food distribution event on Saturday, August 1, funded by The Glenn and Jean Harnett Private Charitable Foundation.

About Tails of Hope, Inc.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inquiries:

Media:

Diane O’Brien Webster

contactus@tailsofhopewpa.com

Consumer:

(724) 346-4673 (HOPE)

Follow TOH:

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/toh-wpa/

TAILS OF HOPE, INC. NEWS RELEASE 06/02/2020

TAILS OF HOPE, INC. RECEIVES GRANT FROM THE GLENN & JEAN HARNETT PRIVATE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

For Immediate Release: 06/02/2020

Hermitage, PA– Tails of Hope, Inc. (TOH) is pleased to announce it has received a kind and generous grant from The Glenn & Jean Harnett Private Charitable Foundation on May 15, 2020. These funds will support two new programs, the Spay and Neuter Angel Program (SNAP) and the Howl & Purr Grub Club food drive program to provide pet food for those in need.

In order to ensure that the essential veterinary care services of Spay or Neuter and Rabies Vaccination are made reasonably available to the household and community (homeless) pets of people in our area, TOH offers low-cost or no-cost services. The new and improved program has be re-named The Harnett Foundation Spay & Neuter Angel Program (SNAP), in honor of the grant foundation.

“The grant we graciously received from the Glenn & Jean Harnett Family Foundation gives us the opportunity to help more people in our communities than ever before,” explained TOH President Diane O’Brien Webster. “Ultimately, this will contribute to our mission and make a difference in the number of cats and dogs that who might otherwise live a life of neglect, abuse and suffering.”

Because pets are family, the SNAP sliding scale fee schedule is based on family size and changes annually in accordance with the Department of Health and Human Services poverty guidelines. The majority of the grant will be used to fund the direct Spay/Neuter and vaccine services to cats and dogs, and a portion of the grant will be used for food distribution. The overall goal of SNAP is two-fold: to decrease the over-population of cats and dogs, and to ensure all cats and dogs receive the services which can make them healthier, happier, and better behaved pets.

The Glenn & Jean Harnett Private Charitable Foundation awards grants through an invitation and proposal submission process. “The Glenn and Jean Harnett Foundation is pleased to assist animal owners with their pets’ medical care and food supply at a time when resources are scarce and access to assistance is limited. Jean Harnett’s belief that we need to help the animals who can’t help themselves is preserved through their Foundation partnering with agencies such as Tails of Hope,” said Attorney Patrick K. Wilson.

The Spay & Neuter Angel Program (SNAP) is available now. Dates and details on Howl & Purr Grub Club food distribution will be announced soon on Tails of Hope, Inc.’s Facebook page.

About Tails of Hope, Inc.

About The Glenn & Jean Harnett Private Charitable Foundation

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inquiries:

Media:

Diane O’Brien Webster

contactus@tailsofhopewpa.com

Consumer:

(724) 346-4673 (HOPE)

Follow TOH:

Past News, Events and Seminars

2019 Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce - Phoenix Award

Winner for Large Non-Profit/Service Organization

We are very proud to announce that Tails of Hope was chosen for one of the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce Phoenix Awards for 2019. Winning this award validates the hard work that goes into making Tails of Hope the organization we are all so proud of.

The Sharon Herald: https://www.sharonherald.com/news/local-businesses-fly-high-at-phoenix-awards/article_802da818-7914-11e9-8770-47fd698f553c.html

The Business Journal Daily: https://businessjournaldaily.com/shenango-chamber-presents-15th-annual-phoenix-awards/

WFMJ TV: http://www.wfmj.com/story/40490491/shenango-valley-chamber-of-commercehonors-local-businesses

Dog and Cat Quilt Raffle Winners!

2019 Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce - Phoenix Award

Congratulations to our winners, Susan Jewell and Paula Geidner!

We are happy to announce the winners of our Dog and Cat Quilt Raffle!Dog Quilt Winner: Susan Jewell

Cat Quilt Winner: Paula Geidner

Congratulations to our winners and THANK YOU to everyone who donated! We can't do what we do without your support!

The Sha’nini George Foundation Benefit

2019 Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce - Phoenix Award

The Sha’nini George Foundation Benefit

August 17th, 2019

Please attend to support local animal advocacy organizations.

APL, Animal Protection League of Western PA protects abused, neglected, and abandoned animals.

SVAS, Shenango Valley Animal Shelter cares for strays and finds forever homes .

ToH, Tails of Hope controls animal population through low/no cost spay/neuter services.

No donation is too small! We are particularly looking for:

Scratch off lottery tickets. Even $5 will be a great help.

Bottles of wine.

Sponsor a puppy or kitten for $100.

Your gift will be noted in the benefit program!

Please drop off or mail to:

SVAS 2599 Broadway Rd Hermitage, PA 16148
or
The Sha’nini George Foundation

222 Line Rd Mercer, PA 16137

Great food, Premium wines and beers

included in $75 ticket.
Huge brass sound band from Pittsburgh,
Quality auction/raffle items.

TAILS OF HOPE, INC. NEWS RELEASE 06/25/2020

ANNOUNCING NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PET FOOD DISTRIBUTION, EXPANDED DISCOUNTS & COLLABORATION PROGRAM

For Immediate Release: 06/25/2020

Hermitage, PA– Tails of Hope, Inc. (TOH) is excited to announce it has selected Soraya Hejazi to serve as the Executive Director for Mercer County, Pennsylvania’s only low-cost spay/neuter clinic. Her appointment was effective June 1, 2020.

Soraya Hejazi brings more than ten years of business consulting & development, human resources consulting & management, training & development, and marketing experience in both for-profit and non-profit sectors to Tails of Hope in the Executive Director position. In addition, she has a lifetime of experience serving community cats, volunteering at cat sanctuaries, and almost ten years of service at a wildly successful high-volume spay/neuter clinic in Los Angeles.

“Soraya brings a superb level of professionalism to the role of Executive Director at Tails of Hope with her management, human resources and marketing skills. Her passion as a true animal advocate surpasses her already high level of commitment to the mission and culture of the organization. The Board of Directors are proud to welcome Soraya and are anxious to support her as she heightens the awareness of the importance of Spay/Neuter in our communities,” said Tails of Hope President Diane O’Brien Webster. “We look to the future with great anticipation for what lies ahead and the success the future holds under her guidance.”

While the doors of Tails of Hope were mandated closed during COVID-19 from March 19-May 18, 2020, Soraya Hejazi played an instrumental role in writing a grant proposal to The Glenn & Jean Harnett Private Charitable Foundation. The grant was awarded to TOH on May 15, 2020. With this grant, in addition to its everyday low cost services, TOH is introducing The Harnett Spay & Neuter Angel Program (SNAP) and Growl & Purr Grub Club.

SNAP will ensure the essential veterinary care services of Spay or Neuter and Rabies Vaccination are made reasonably available to the household and community (homeless) pets of people in our area according on a sliding scale fee based on household size and income. Qualified TOH clients may receive a discount on top of the everyday low fees of 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% of the costs. A military discount has also been added to this program.

The Growl & Purr Grub Club events will provide $5,000 of cat and dog food distribution to our community. The first disbursement of food is scheduled for August 1, 2020. Details will be announced soon on Tails of Hope, Inc.’s Facebook page.

However, the excitement and opportunities new programs and funding offers for Tails of Hope and the community faces a challenge: a nationwide shortage of veterinarians. According to noted veterinary economist James Lloyd, DVM, PhD’s 2019 research, there were about 1,400 open positions with no one to fill them, or about 1.7 positions per candidate. Our community is not exempt from this challenge. To counter this, a Collaborative Program is being introduced by Soraya Hejazi and Tails of Hope to all veterinary service providers in our area. By implementing a shared rotation of veterinarians between for-profit and non-profit clinics, the city shelters, rescues, and individual pet guardians can efficiently and cost-effectively receive the essential services of spay/neuter and Rabies vaccines to ensure the well-being of companion animals in our community. This program also has the potential to expand and increase the availability of emergency services to companion animals in our area. The Program was recently reviewed by Hermitage City Manager Gary Hinkson, who shared his support with this statement, "It is only together, as a community, that we will be able to find solutions, overcome challenges, and find continued success. I believe collaborative initiatives between businesses and employers like this one for the veterinary industry will serve to enhance services for people and animals in our community and to further economic development in our area for everyone by attracting and retaining high-quality professionals." The list of benefits from this program is long, and includes benefits to the for-profit businesses, the city shelters, private rescue groups, and the community at large.

Tails of Hope is currently closed due to the veterinarian shortage. Tails of Hope does not receive government funding. It does not have endowments. It heavily relies on public donations. The veterinarian shortage is further compounded by the effects of COVID-19 which include cancellation of fundraising events and the revenue they bring for the year, and a donation downturn from private individuals as the world copes with the uncertainty of the pandemic. Tails of Hope asks for the community to consider a gift at this time to restart their operations, retain and acquire high-quality staff, and continue vital services for our city shelters, local rescue groups, and individuals in our community who depend on their low-cost programs.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead an organization whose mission is my passion,” said Soraya Hejazi. “In 2019, Tails of Hope, Inc. served 2,989 cats and dogs in our area. With support from grants, such as the Harnett Foundation, continued partnership with our local shelters and rescues, contributions from volunteers on our Board of Directors and community volunteers in the clinic, donations from the public, and the anticipated collaboration with veterinary groups in the community, we will together continue to make an impact in reducing the needless suffering of animals and unnecessary pet euthanasia while ensuring people and families of all backgrounds share in the joy of responsible pet guardianship.”

About Tails of Hope, Inc.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inquiries:

Media:

Diane O’Brien Webster

contactus@tailsofhopewpa.com

Consumer:

(724) 346-4673 (HOPE)

Follow TOH: