A significant grant from the Inland Empire Community Foundation through the Todd Barajas Legacy Fund has become a valuable resource for Loving All Animals.
The intrepid nonprofit organization helps people connect with pets as much as it assists animals needing care from public, government and private facilities. Through the years, the organization has greatly supported efforts to prevent the euthanasia of adoptable and treatable dogs and cats.
They even reunite lost pets and provide owner retention services.
"We're expanding all of our programs right now, so the IECF grant has been a great asset," said Michael Phipps-Russell, executive director of Loving All Animals. "Our animal sheltering program has expanded tremendously, so the funds we received
will be applied towards the operational funds for our shelter at this time."
Programs have expanded in anticipation of having a greater volume of animals to care for as the months unfold.
"We have more animals now, particularly more cats that we didn't used to have," Phipps-Russell said, noting both the importance of sheltering services and veterinary care access.
These additional services will help accommodate "little, tiny bottle-baby kittens," Phipps-Russell said, adding that, "the largest number of animals serviced, instead of being euthanized, are those animals under 120 days old.
"Those are the animals that are most at-risk of euthanasia in our county facility. They need to have instant access to a veterinarian. And now that we have that for them, we can take on those cases and prevent them from going to the county. Then we could help them develop and get them ready for adoption."
A greater focus on puppies and other animals has emerged recently.
"Sometimes you have to hold these animals for a longer period of time," Phipps-Russell said, "because they may be too young to be standard neutered or too young to get certain kinds of care. But they are not so young that they can't contact certain diseases, like parasites or some sort of upper respiratory or skin problems.
"Holding animals longer than we used to is important because they need a little more care as they develop," he said. "And if they're here longer, we need funding to help keep them become adoptable."
Veterinary care is key, of course.
One of the biggest developments recently has been the announcement of the nonprofit's new veterinary clinic, which is opening this fall. The organization will relocate the its existing clinic from Cathedral City to 46-920 Jefferson Street in Indio.
It comes off a miraculous donation from philanthropist Lindi Biggi's multi-million-dollar investment in a 12,000-square-foot veterinary clinic. The result, a unique collaboration with Loving All Animals, will make spay and neuter services more affordable and accessible for pet owners throughout the valley.
The clinic will also provide low-cost vaccines and microchips, thereby assisting local families to better care for their pets before smaller problems become bigger ones.
"The great thing is that we can do high volume, spray and neutering services," Phipps-Russell said. "From the practical perspective, having space is important. So, let's say, you want to do 30, 40 animals in a day. You need to place them somewhere, and then you need to be able to provide them your services, vaccinations and other things. Then you need to have a place for them to recover.
To that end, square footage and real estate are vital.
"Being able to set up (the new clinic) to be a high-volume speed leader clinic and make it work is incredible," Phipps-Russell said. "Because right now we rely a lot on mobile vehicles in the valley."
In addition to the new clinic, Phipps-Russell encourages locals to explore the organization's impressive list of programs and education services, which range from agility training and behavioral training to an extensive list of resources, which can be valuable when taking care of a pet.
These resources include unique ties to other standout organizations like Animal Samaritans, Animal Action League and the Palm Springs Animal Shelter.
Not to be overlooked: adoption. Head to the nonprofit's website and click on the "adopt" vertical to see a list of all animals that are eager for you to give them a loving home.
Learn more at lovingallanimals.org.
The Inland Empire Community Foundation works to strengthen Inland Southern California through philanthropy. The Todd Barajas Legacy Fund is a Donor Advised Fund, established in 2016 for broad and general charitable uses and purposes. To learn how you can support the causes you care about – today and in the future – contact the IECF charitable giving team at giving@iegives.org or visit iegives.org.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Grant helps nonprofit spreads the 'love' to all animals
