Many rescue cats arrive in shelters in dire need of medical attention. Some require vaccinations and routine surgeries, while others suffer from severe injuries or illnesses needing extensive treatment. Veterinary bills for shelters and rescues can be overwhelming, making it difficult to provide for each animal’s care. Fortunately, initiatives like the GOODS Program help alleviate some of these financial burdens by providing food donations to shelters, allowing them to focus their funds on medical treatments and rehabilitation.
One such success story is Buddy the cat, who found a second chance at life thanks to this program. Struggling with life-threatening injuries, Buddy recovered with the support of donated food and expert care at the Pet Adoption & Welfare Services of Oklahoma (PAWS).
What Is the GOODS Program?
The GOODS Program is a pet food distribution initiative run by Greater Good Charities, dedicated to ensuring that shelters and rescues across the country have access to quality pet food. Over the past decade, GOODS has provided over 578 million meals to shelters, amounting to more than 6,000 truckloads of food.
By helping shelters save money on food, the GOODS Program ensures they can redirect those resources to critical medical needs and care for animals like Buddy.
Buddy’s Rescue and Recovery
Buddy was a young community cat living on the streets of Oklahoma City when he was involved in a serious accident, most likely struck by a car. His caretaker found him limping and immediately reached out to PAWS-OK for help.
“Buddy’s colony manager called PAWS-OK when she found him limping, and our director picked him up,” shared PAWS.
“Our great vet at Rockwell Pet Clinic saw him immediately and found his leg had multiple fractures, which were pinned with three rods.”
After undergoing intensive surgery, Buddy spent several months in a foster home under the care of PAWS-OK. During his recovery, he was nourished by donated food from the GOODS Program, helping him regain strength and heal properly.
Finding a Forever Home
Once Buddy was fully healed, he was ready to find his forever home. His sweet yet shy personality quickly captured the heart of a loving family, who welcomed him with open arms.
“He found a new home with a wonderful woman and her son who bonded immediately with Buddy’s personality,” a PAWS-OK representative shared.
Buddy’s journey from an injured stray to a beloved pet was made possible through the combined efforts of rescuers, veterinarians, and generous support from community-driven programs.
The Impact of Pet Food Donations
Thanks to the GOODS Program, PAWS-OK had the resources necessary to provide Buddy and other cats with the essentials they needed while undergoing medical care. With food donations taken care of, shelters can allocate more funds towards medical procedures, vaccinations, and lifesaving surgeries.
“Without the GOODS Program’s support, our rescue would not have the funds needed to take care of cats in need like Buddy.”
Programs like GOODS play a vital role in helping shelters focus on rescuing and rehabilitating pets. By ensuring these cats receive proper care, they increase their chances of finding loving homes and living happy, healthy lives.
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