Northern Adirondack Pet Foundation launches

SARANAC | North Country families are facing challenging financial stress; pandemic savings are depleted, hiring rates have slowed down, and credit has been maxed out. There has been a direct correlation between overcrowded animal shelters and abandoned pets due to an economy that makes unexpected pet care costs an insurmountable burden. Thanks to animal lover Matthew Griffin, the Northern Adirondack Pet Fund (NAPF) has officially gotten off the ground, and low-income area pet owners will now have a resource to turn to when costly veterinarian bills arise. "Our mission is to subsidize non-emergency, palliative, and end-of-life care for the pets of low-income families living in Clinton, Essex, and Franklin Counties," explained Griffin, NAPF founder. "There are a lot of studies out there about the physical and emotional benefits of having pets; I want to make sure people, regardless of financial status, can benefit from having an animal in a home and that they are not put in a position where they have to give up an animal whether it be to a shelter or releasing an animal out onto the streets." Griffin's inspiration for the organization was spawned thanks to social media. Numerous posts would flood his feeds almost daily about people seeking veterinary care for a treasured animal that was beyond their means to provide, leaving a grim future for both pet and owner alike if funds were not available. "I kept seeing so many posts on Facebook of people who were looking for help for veterinary care, something happened with their pet and they got hit with a bill that was more than they could afford," Griffin recalled. "They would hit up community groups looking for assistance, and it seemed the advice always given was to create a GoFundMe or crowd funding page." A seemingly simple solution and great resources in their own right, there still remained a problem- unless people had a plethora of friends and family to contribute to the cause, most strangers were leery to give money to other strangers without a sound method of validating their donations were in fact going towards the animal and not a scam. "There was never a way to legitimize the request," Griffin said. "I thought wouldn't it be great if there was an organization that could act as a middle man and, excuse the pun, they could vet people in need to make sure they fit certain criteria, verify with the vet the situation, and people could support the organization and then provide assistance. There is something on a national scale, but nothing local." It was when Griffin faced the decision all pet owners fear that NAPF got the push to the starting line it needed. Griffin's own beloved black cat, Sabbie, took an unexpected turn for the worse this past July 3 and had to be put to sleep on Independence Day. When Griffin was bringing her body to the crematorium, he had an emotional epiphany. "Pulling into the facility, I couldn't help but remember we grew up poor and didn't have a lot of money," Griffin reflected. "I thought of all these families that live in apartments and don't have a place to bury their pet or have the funds to cremate their pet; my heart just broke. I was very vulnerable at the time and Sabbie's death was one that made me think we need to do this and do this now." Griffin followed through on that vow and on July 17, 2024, NAPF was officially incorporated. The application for 501)c)(3) status is currently pending, with approval expected within the next month. A Board of Directors (that includes a veterinarian) has been established, and Griffin is seeking out volunteers to increase the organization's representation in the three counties it will service. The organization will be primarily donation based, and once 501(c)(3) status is in ink, Griffin will be able to apply for grant and federal funding. Funds for treatment will be directly dispersed to the animal's veterinarian. As one would expect, to ensure the funds will be distributed to those who truly need it, there will be a proof of income requirement. The application will include a handful of questions to assess eligibility (currently available at www.northernadirondackpetfund.org). The income threshold will be 200 percent of the federal poverty level (for the average family of three in Clinton, Essex, and Franklin) that equates to $51,640). There is a requirement that the animal be a pet and they must have had the pet for a minimum of six months. Specific care coverage includes non-emergency, palliative, and end of life. NAPF will also not be covering the cost of spay or neuter because other organizations in the area already offer that service. Due to the timeline of the application process, emergency care can't be offered…not yet, anyway. The more donations that come in, the greater likelihood that the Board of Directors will be able to fulfill their long-term goals. "In the beginning, resources are going to be very slim. Right now we are looking at being pretty restrictive as to what we can and cannot cover, we have to draw the line somewhere." Griffin said. "For example, basic care that is normally considered to be a pet guardian's responsibilities like vaccinations and yearly exams. Down the road we hope to open that up and be able to provide resources so everyone who wants a pet can come to us for that basic care." The Board of Directors are also figuring out a way to cover emergency care someday. And the big dream, of course, would be to have enough funds to expand their county coverage. NAPF can be as big- or little- as people want it to be. "People are telling us we need this and that is great to hear- I do think we have a future," Griffin said. "It's just working to spread the word and getting people to donate. It is very hard to get donations in this current economic climate. It's so cliche to say, but if everyone in these three counties gave $1, we'd be so well off and so grateful and so thankful, but it is very hard to get donations even right now in this economy." With 501(c)(3) donations being retroactive, people are able to begin donating this very minute. To start getting money in the till so that they can accept their first applicant, NAPF will be holding a silent auction on Saturday, Oct. 19 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. that is free and open to the public. Held at the Town of Saranac Town Hall at 3662 State Route 3, the event will feature the Buns on the Run food truck. NAFP is still seeking donations from residents and local businesses, whatever people see fit to offer to help the cause. The Wild Center in Tupperlake has committed to providing a donation, which are asked to be committed by Oct. 5 and provided by Oct. 12. Griffin and the board are happy to schedule pickup times. NAFP Project Coordinator, Jessica Kelly (a final year veterinary student from Jay) is in the process of coordinating more events going forward. She is planning a Fun Run for Nov. 9 and will be releasing forthcoming details on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/NorthernAdirondackPetFundInc). Kelly would love to host Photos with Santa for pets- all she needs to find is a location, and a willing Santa. "Our organization is here to help everybody's neighbors, the money we are bringing in is staying within the community," Griffin said. "Not only is it benefitting the overall physical and mental health of the community, it is keeping animals off the streets and keeping them out of and relieving the strain on animal shelters." Those interested in becoming NAPF volunteers are encouraged to email Griffin at info@northernadirondackpetfund.org or send him a Facebook message. Please visit www.northernadirondackpetfund.org for more information and to begin the gift of donating.

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