County Commissioners issue grant to Saving Grace
Written by Press Release on October 1, 2021
Douglas County, Ore – The Douglas County Board of Commissioners recently issued a grant to Saving Grace Pet Adoption Center to help them reach their 2021 goal for their annual “Paws for a Cause” fundraiser. The grant made it possible for the animal shelter to proceed with plans to expand and remodel their on-site veterinary clinic. As with many non-profit organizations, they rely heavily on successful annual fundraising events to survive. The pandemic dramatically hampered their ability to host a live event in our community in 2020 and 2021, which created a shortfall in their annual operating budgets.
“As a board, we feel privileged to be able to support the amazing work Saving Grace does for the welfare of rescued and lost animals in our community,” stated Commissioner Tom Kress. “We wanted to make sure that there were no barriers in the way that would dampen or reduce the incredible services they provide to our communities. We are very fortunate to have a full-service, no-kill animal shelter in our local area that provides compassionate care with refuge, food and medical assistance to thousands of animals each year.”
“Without the grant from the Douglas County Commissioners, we would continue to have to outsource diagnostics, bloodwork, and X-Rays in order to provide direct care to homeless, abandoned, or neglected animals,” said Megan Gram, Executive Director at Saving Grace. “The grant gave us the green light to move forward in the acquisition of equipment to outfit the clinic. This will have a substantial impact on our mission because we will now have the ability to treat more shelter pets on site.”
Saving Grace now has the ability to purchase a second surgery table and double their inventory of surgical instruments in order to expand their capacity to provide essential medical care to shelter animals directly on site, effectually increasing the number of affordable spay/neuter services they can offer in Douglas County.
During the Archie Creek Fire in September 2020, they offered temporary boarding for dogs, cats and other small animals for families who had been displaced by wildfire evacuations. During one heroic and dangerous rescue mission, Saving Grace worked with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) and our Douglas County Animal Control Deputy at the beginning of the Archie Creek Fire. They attempted to save approximately 100 cats that were left behind on a property on Rock Creek Road, because the owners only had 30 minutes to evacuate. During the rescue, the team was able to retrieve 44 live cats from the property. Amazingly, they were able to medically treat and adopt out 33 cats. Sadly, 11 cats had to be euthanized because they sustained substantial injuries from the fire. In addition, 55 other animals were boarded when they had nowhere else to turn during the Archie Creek Fire and temporarily boarded at Saving Grace. Of all the animals that were rescued and temporarily boarded during the Archie Creek Fire, all but one animal was able to be reunited with their owners once families were settled in suitable housing. But, that lone pet was lovingly adopted by another family.
Saving Grace works directly with DCSO and Douglas County Animal Control Division in providing temporary boarding for strays and other animals. “Saving Grace is a significant asset to our community. Our Animal Control Deputy works very closely with Saving Grace and the shelter provides the ability for law enforcement to take lost or found pets somewhere for safekeeping and eventual reunification with the owner. Saving Grace has been a valued partner in animal welfare cases in emergency situations like the Archie Creek Fire,” commented Sgt. Brad O’Dell with the DCSO.
Operating with a team of 22 staff members and an average 15 volunteers on site and approximately 60-70 active foster homes to help pets find their forever families, Saving Grace is the only full-service, open-admission animal shelter in Douglas County that accepts owner-surrendered stray cats and dogs, reunites lost pets with owners, adopts out thousands of pets each year, and offers affordable spay/neuter services for low income families. The Adoption Center has countless volunteer opportunities, but the greatest need right now is for donations and volunteers to assist at the shelter as dog walkers or serve as a foster home for animals convalescing in preparation for adoption. For more information about volunteering or the services they provide, log onto their website at: www.savinggracepetadoptioncenter.org/about-us.
