My Nonprofit Reviews

I rescue senior and terminally ill dogs and give them palliative and hospice care. Usually the rescues I work with can manage the vet bills, but not always. One Saturday night I got a call from a volunteer in a Baltimore shelter. There was a 15 year old (more or less) cocker spaniel, and if she was still there in the morning she'd die. I said yes, sight unseen. Twinkie arrived at my house that night, and she seemed in pretty good spirits. But, she had the worst teeth I've ever seen. Even the vet couldn't tell how many she'd lost and how many were just rotted through and through. The infection caused her to have a chronic cough - sometimes she'd cough for half an hour straight. Her breath, to be honest and graphic, smelled like poop. In our house she thrived emotionally and is one of the most affectionate dogs I'd ever seen - and she'd rear up for pets and hugs, and people would turn away because they smelled her breath. Driving - in December! - we had to do with the windows open. She needed a dental, that's for sure. But, before we could do that, Twink needed to get her thyroid levels up and needed meds and another blood test for that. Vet care in this part of the country isn't cheap - even with the rescue discount from the vet, we were still talking about possibly $600 or more. The southern, out of state rescue that committed to Twinkie didn't have the funds, and I fundraised as best as I could, but I'm not great at that and I'm new at it.

RedRover was amazing. First, they were unbelievably responsive. Within 48 hours of my application, I had a phone call from E., one of the RedRover case managers. She outlined the program and let me know additional information and documentation she needed from me, and I was pleased to see how well they do their due diligence. E. was also encouraging in my own fundraising efforts, giving me advice and tips. Some of the information needed to come from the vet, and where there were some bureaucratic challenges on the part of being able to reach the vet and get the info to the right place, etc. (all the issues were from our side, not RedRover's), E. was very patient. Deadlines were clear, and communication was key. I believe it was not even 10 days after I applied for a grant, that I received the commitment email from E. on behalf of RedRover. They usually provide small grants, and pay the vets directly, thus helping to ensure that people aren't using animals to simply generate funds.

I love that this organization is committed to the idea that no one should have to give up their animal, or let them die, because they can't afford vet care. I love that this organization is willing to help out a 15 year old dog.

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