Last night, as I sat listening to the birds chirping in my backyard, I was struck by how strange the world feels right now. Our daily lives have completely changed. We are in the process of creating new daily rhythms that don’t include offices, schools, restaurants, or any social gatherings.
At the same time that all of this isolation is occurring, our connections to each other, and to our pets, have never been more palpable. Our pets have become a constant source of love, comfort, and distraction during these challenging times.
When I started the Planned PEThood of Georgia 10 years ago, I was driven by a desire to help pets and the people who love them. It was a simple mission that grew into an organization that currently runs six distinct life-saving programs. We reach communities and animals in ways I had not imagined 10 years ago, and I am wildly proud of how much our staff and volunteers give to the community.
We feel fortunate to be a recipient of the CARES Act’s Small Business Loan program. With this assistance, our dedicated staff members will continue to receive their paychecks during this time. We continue to navigate this strange new world and how to give back while protecting our volunteers, staff, and patrons.
While our payroll is secure for now, 60% of our programs are on pause, including the revenue-generating programs that fund our rescue efforts, rent, utilities, insurance, and… well, you get the idea. However, there is good news!
Our rescue program is flourishing with an abundance of foster home and adoption applications flooding our inboxes daily. Animals are being adopted faster than ever before, and we even have a waiting list for kittens.
At Planned PEThood of Georgia, we are taking the COVID-19 pandemic one day at a time, and we truly appreciate your support during this challenging period. Everyone at Planned PEThood is thankful to have you as a friend. We hope you and your family are healthy and safe. Our receptionists are checking messages daily to keep you informed. Please reach out to us if you need anything.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Burgner
Executive Director
