4th DRIVE-THRU CAT & DOG FOOD DISTRIBUTION 03/27/2021
Tails of Hope, Inc. (TOH) is hosting its fourth drive-thru cat and dog food distribution event generously funded by The Glenn & Jean Harnett Private Charitable Foundation. Supplemental funding for this event provided by the Thompson family in memory of William G. Thompson & Precious.
On Saturday, March 27, 2021 from 10 am to 12 noon, the pet food distribution at 2450 Hoezle Road in Hermitage, PA.
One bag cat or dog food per car.
One egg w/cat treats and/or dog treat goodie bag per car.
Limited supply of cat litter.
While Supplies Last.
To ensure adherence to social distancing rules and for the safety and protection of both participants and Tails of Hope volunteers, the event is drive-thru only. Pet food and litter will be loaded into trunks by volunteers wearing face masks. People picking up food are asked to stay in cars and wear masks.
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3rd drive-thru cat & dog food distribution 01/16/2021
TAILS OF HOPE, INC. NEWS RELEASE
TAILS OF HOPE, INC. EXTENDS THE SEASON OF GIVING BY HOSTING DRIVE-THRU PET FOOD DISTRIBUTION EVENT WITH A FUN SURPRISE FOR PETS
For Immediate Release: 01/05/2021
Hermitage, PA– Tails of Hope, Inc. (TOH) is hosting its third drive-thru cat and dog food distribution event generously funded by The Glenn & Jean Harnett Private Charitable Foundation.
On Saturday, January 16, 2020 from 10 am to 12 noon, the pet food distribution at 2450 Hoezle Road in Hermitage, PA will be first come, first serve.
“We believe joy and the spirit of giving are not limited to the holiday season,” said Soraya Hejazi, Executive Director. “To start 2021 off on the right paw, one cat or dog toy will be provided to each car with pet food distribution at the event, while supplies last. We hope to inspire generosity and cultivate ongoing joy in our community.”
In addition to the cat or dog food, cat litter will be available for the first time at the event due to requests from attendees of previous Tails of Hope Grub Club pet food distribution events. Cat litter will also be available one per car, while supplies last.
To ensure adherence to social distancing rules and for the safety and protection of both participants and Tails of Hope volunteers, the event is drive-thru only. Pet food and litter will be loaded into trunks by volunteers wearing face masks. People picking up food are asked to stay in cars and wear masks.
More details on Tails of Hope, Inc.’s pet food distribution Grub Club event and their Spay & Neuter Angel Program (SNAP) for financial assistance funded by the Harnett Foundation can be found on Tails of Hope, Inc.’s Facebook page and their website.
About Tails of Hope, Inc.
Tails of Hope, Inc. (TOH), at The Thomas M. O’Brien Animal Care Center, opened in 2017 as a not for profit, 501 (c) (3) born from a love of animals and service to our community. TOH believes the world will be a better place when it values and ensures the well-being of companion animals, treating them with kindness and compassion. TOH exists to eliminate neglect, abuse and suffering of animals resulting in improved overall quality of animal life and strives to impact pet over-population through spay/neuter programs and supporting rescue, rehabilitation, adoption and education.
About The Glenn & Jean Harnett Private Charitable Foundation
The Glenn and Jean Harnett Private Charitable Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) created from the assets of a trust fund built by Glenn and Jean Harnett formerly of Mercer County Pennsylvania. The foundation makes gifts in their memory to assist animal welfare projects and the churches beloved by both Glenn and Jean in both Mercer County Pennsylvania and Trumbull County Ohio.
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Inquiries:
Media:
Diane O’Brien Webster
724-346-4673 (HOPE)
Consumer:
Soraya Hejazi
724-346-4673 (HOPE)
dk29obrien@gmail.com tailsofhopepa@yahoo.com
Follow TOH:
Website: https://tailsofhopewpa.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tailsofhopepa/
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.
Tails of Hope, Inc. (TOH), at The Thomas M. O’Brien Animal Care Center, opened in 2017 as a not for profit, 501 (c) (3) born from a love of animals and service to our community. TOH believes the world will be a better place when it values and ensures the well-being of companion animals, treating them with kindness and compassion. TOH exists to eliminate neglect, abuse and suffering of animals resulting in improved overall quality of animal life and strives to impact pet over-population through spay/neuter programs and supporting rescue, rehabilitation, adoption and education.
Inquiries:
Media: Diane O’Brien Webster dk29obrien@gmail.com
Consumer: Soraya Hejazi tailsofhopepa@yahoo.com
724-346-4673 (HOPE) 724-346-4673 (HOPE)
Follow TOH:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tailsofhopepa/
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.
Tails of Hope, Inc. (TOH), at The Thomas M. O’Brien Animal Care Center, opened in 2017 as a not for profit, 501 (c) (3) born from a love of animals and service to our community. TOH believes the world will be a better place when it values and ensures the well-being of companion animals, treating them with kindness and compassion. TOH exists to eliminate neglect, abuse and suffering of animals resulting in improved overall quality of animal life and strives to impact pet over-population through spay/neuter programs and supporting rescue, rehabilitation, adoption and education.
About The Glenn & Jean Harnett Private Charitable Foundation
The Glenn and Jean Harnett Private Charitable Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) created from the assets of a trust fund built by Glenn and Jean Harnett formerly of Mercer County Pennsylvania. The foundation makes gifts in their memory to assist animal welfare projects and the churches beloved by both Glenn and Jean in both Mercer County Pennsylvania and Trumbull County Ohio.
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Inquiries:
Media:
Diane O’Brien Webster
724-346-4673 (HOPE)
Consumer:
724-346-4673 (HOPE)
Follow TOH:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tailsofhopepa/
LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/toh-wpa/
Event Sponsor and Volunteer Michelle Turner-Mueller transports two anesthetized cats into surgery.
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.
Tails of Hope, Inc. (TOH), at The Thomas M. O’Brien Animal Care Center, opened in 2017 as a not for profit, 501 (c) (3) born from a love of animals and service to our community. TOH believes the world will be a better place when it values and ensures the well-being of companion animals, treating them with kindness and compassion. TOH exists to eliminate neglect, abuse and suffering of animals resulting in improved overall quality of animal life and strives to impact pet over-population through spay/neuter programs and supporting rescue, rehabilitation, adoption and education.
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Inquiries:
Media:
Diane O’Brien Webster
Consumer:
(724) 346-4673 (HOPE)
Follow TOH:
Website: https://tailsofhopewpa.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tailsofhopepa/
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.
Tails of Hope, Inc. (TOH), at The Thomas M. O’Brien Animal Care Center, opened in 2017 as a not for profit, 501 (c) (3) born from a love of animals and service to our community. TOH believes the world will be a better place when it values and ensures the well-being of companion animals, treating them with kindness and compassion. TOH exists to eliminate neglect, abuse and suffering of animals resulting in improved overall quality of animal life and strives to impact pet over-population through spay/neuter programs and supporting rescue, rehabilitation, adoption and education.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inquiries:
Media:
Consumer:
(724) 346-4673 (HOPE)
Follow TOH:
Website: https://tailsofhopewpa.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tailsofhopepa/
LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/toh-wpa
Past News & Events
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