IFAW Christmas grants mean festive cheer for charities
13 March 2008
(London, 18 December 2007) Major IFAW grants to two terrific charities will be helping animals help people this Christmas. IFAW has given the cash to the national Pets As Therapy charity and to PAWS for Kids, which runs a unique pet fostering service in the North-West for families fleeing domestic violence.
Pets As Therapy takes trained
dogs and cats into residential homes, hospitals and many other establishments,
offering comfort and companionship to an estimated 100,000 sick people of all
ages each week. Our grant is sponsoring an additional 357 volunteers nationally,
enabling Pets As Therapy to reach an additional 10,700 people each week - and it
means more heartwarming visits this Christmas.
Founded in 1983, Pets As Therapy has proved so beneficial to patient well-being that its animals - 3,500 dogs and 92 cats - are now welcomed into 6,465 establishments including hospitals, hospices, care homes, day centres and special needs schools. As well as boosting morale the animals help people recovering from strokes by encouraging them to use their limbs and talk again. They also benefit people suffering depression or anxiety and help phobic patients - especially children - live a normal life in the community.
Maureen Hennis, Pets As Therapy chief executive said: “IFAW’s generous grant will really make a big difference this Christmas. The festive season is a crucial time of year for us because companionship is especially needed at this time by sick people of all ages.”
Meanwhile, our grant to PAWS for Kids will enable this Bolton-based charity’s army of volunteers to foster more pets this Christmas and in the future. Founded 10 years ago, PAWS for Kids is the answer to a heartbreaking problem for families desperate to flee domestic violence; refuges will take them but can’t take pets. Until the charity existed many women often remained in abusive situations rather than leave beloved animals behind - and some faced the prospect of giving them away or having them put down.
“Families who use our service tell us it’s a real life-saver,” says Carole Marsden, Project Manager. “But Christmas is especially difficult for families in trouble and we need more volunteer foster carers throughout Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside and Cheshire.”
By temporarily fostering pets PAWS for Kids enables families to rebuild their lives in safety without the worry of what will become of their animals. Once the families are re-homed, they are reunited with their pets. So far, PAWS for Kids has fostered more than 900 animals and helped nearly 1,300 mums and children access safe refuges.
IFAW UK Director Robbie Marsland says: “We’re delighted to be able to support two such fantastic charities. They recognise the unique and powerful relationship between people and companion animals and strive tirelessly to make life better for both.” For media-related inquiries, contact:
IFAW Press Office
phone: 0207 587 6700
Founded in 1983, Pets As Therapy has proved so beneficial to patient well-being that its animals - 3,500 dogs and 92 cats - are now welcomed into 6,465 establishments including hospitals, hospices, care homes, day centres and special needs schools. As well as boosting morale the animals help people recovering from strokes by encouraging them to use their limbs and talk again. They also benefit people suffering depression or anxiety and help phobic patients - especially children - live a normal life in the community.
Maureen Hennis, Pets As Therapy chief executive said: “IFAW’s generous grant will really make a big difference this Christmas. The festive season is a crucial time of year for us because companionship is especially needed at this time by sick people of all ages.”
Meanwhile, our grant to PAWS for Kids will enable this Bolton-based charity’s army of volunteers to foster more pets this Christmas and in the future. Founded 10 years ago, PAWS for Kids is the answer to a heartbreaking problem for families desperate to flee domestic violence; refuges will take them but can’t take pets. Until the charity existed many women often remained in abusive situations rather than leave beloved animals behind - and some faced the prospect of giving them away or having them put down.
“Families who use our service tell us it’s a real life-saver,” says Carole Marsden, Project Manager. “But Christmas is especially difficult for families in trouble and we need more volunteer foster carers throughout Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside and Cheshire.”
By temporarily fostering pets PAWS for Kids enables families to rebuild their lives in safety without the worry of what will become of their animals. Once the families are re-homed, they are reunited with their pets. So far, PAWS for Kids has fostered more than 900 animals and helped nearly 1,300 mums and children access safe refuges.
IFAW UK Director Robbie Marsland says: “We’re delighted to be able to support two such fantastic charities. They recognise the unique and powerful relationship between people and companion animals and strive tirelessly to make life better for both.” For media-related inquiries, contact:
IFAW Press Office
phone: 0207 587 6700
