Rancho Santa Fe, CA (May 22, 2024) – Starting this morning and continuing through Monday, Military families in San Diego are invited to meet some fuzzy recruits at Helen Woodward Animal Center. Thanks to the Animals for Armed Forces Foundation, the Center is offering sponsored pet adoptions in honor of Memorial Day to thank military members and their families for their service. Adoption fees will be covered from Saturday, May 25 through Monday, May 27, for approved adopters while supplies last.
The Animals for Armed Forces Foundation is a Southern California non-profit dedicated to bringing smiles to military heroes while also saving orphan pets in need. Like Helen Woodward Animal Center, the foundation recognizes the years of comfort, laughter, joy and devotion a loving pet can provide – all crucial elements to assist military members and their families whose lives have been dedicated to serving our country near and far.
Helen Woodward Animal Center has seen the healing power of animals and facilitates a number of programs dedicated to serving our military community. The Pet Encounter Therapy program (PET) typically serves 60-70 veterans monthly (at the ICS Hawthorne Center and Veterans Village San Diego), utilizing therapeutic animals to help lower blood pressure, regulate breathing, improve memory and lift the spirits of wounded soldiers.
Thanks to a partnership with the natural pet food company Blue Buffalo, the Center’s AniMeals program also regularly assists Wounded Warriors, providing pet food to wounded military clients with service dogs. Working through the Recovery Care Coordinator Office (RCC) and the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS), the program ensures that food costs are not a factor in keeping these beloved friends by the sides of the soldiers who depend on them.
Helen Woodward’s Companion Animal Hospital Military Fund also supports our military by offering free services to Active Duty Enlisted Military E-1 to E-7 or Disabled Military and their immediate family members. The highly in-demand fund is consistently seeking donations to continue to provide these incredibly important services. To donate to Helen Woodward’s Companion Animal Hospital’s Military Fund, please contact VP of Development Renee Resko at (858) 756-4117 x 347 or https://animalcenter.org.
“Pairing an orphan pet with a military family is a true win-win for us,” stated Kendall Schulz, Adoption Services Director. “We know that the pet and the military family will benefit from the bond and we are so grateful to Animals for Armed Forces Foundation for helping us unite these deserving hearts.”
This weekend adoptable dogs, cats, puppies and kittens will be waiting for their forever homes. Prospective adopters can view available pets here: https://animalcenter.org/adopt-a-pet.
For more information, please contact Helen Woodward Animal Center Adoptions Department at: 858-756-4117 ext. 1.
WHAT: Sponsored adoptions fees for military families in honor of Memorial Day thanks to the Animals for Armed Forces Foundation.
WHERE: Helen Woodward Animal Center: 6461 El Apajo Road, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
WHEN: Saturday, May 25 to Monday, May 27. Adoptions hours are 10am-6pm Friday-Sunday and 12pm-6pm Monday-Thursday.
ADOPTION DETAILS:
(Pay only a $36 microchip fee.) Limit one animal per household for sponsored adoption. Family must meet adoption requirements. Subject to limitations on availability. The military adoption discount applies to active duty, reserve and veterans of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard, and/or immediate family members. Please bring your photo ID and one of the following to receive the adoption discount: • Military ID •Dependent ID • Veterans ID • DD-214 and Driver’s License • NGB Form 22. Thank you for your service!
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