RESCUE SUPPORT/EDUCATION
PATCHES believe in growing and strengthening the rescues. This is done by working together and sharing resources that may be in abundance to some rescues and not others, also the availability of low cost medical and food.
PATCHES will have available classes on numerous topics for rescues to allow them to handle more than they do today.
PATCHES have amenities for rescues to use which include work stations, conference rooms, and break room.
All participating rescues also will be on a governing committee reviewing practices and standards on a continuing basis. Each participating rescue will have one vote no matter how many kennels and enclosures they are using. We wish to make PATCHES an innovative incubator making it a model for other communities as well.
FEEDING ANIMALS IN RESCUE – FAIR
This facility will serve as the drop off & pick up point for the food donations that support other local animal rescue groups that are volunteer-based. Food is a major expense for animal rescues that currently prevents them from saving more animals. Colony care givers often work full-time jobs to be able to pay for the food for the colonies they serve.
SOCIAL COLLABORATION
While PATCHES goal is finding homes for dogs and cats, PATCHES believes in using the care of the dog and cat to also help humans. Sometimes giving the human a second chance. A portion of the employees and volunteers will consist of the following categories
PATCHES will hire veterans for animal therapy work. Many studies show the therapeutic value of war veterans working with animals.
PATCHES want to hire displaced youth. These are young people 18-24 years old that need guidance on life and are going down the wrong path to becoming responsible citizens. This group of individuals will be paired up with veterans that know responsibility and structure.
PATCHES invite the elderly to work with the puppies and kittens. This may be in the nursery. A program several years ago was conducted in Tucson where the elderly was able to work with the nursery animals, lowering blood pressure, reduced the need for pharmaceuticals, and gave them purpose in life.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT/EDUCATION
PATCHES has three programs to help the community.
Senior for Senior program or “Retiring Together”. – This program places a senior animal with a senior citizen. Many rescues are asked and are reluctant to take in senior animals because of the foster space they take up and the difficulty in adopting the animal. This program allows senior citizens to adopt an older animal at no charge. The program also provides vet and pharmaceuticals for the animal at no charge if they qualify. Food will be provided based on personal income at no charge. This program allows for a senior citizen to have the company of a pet.
Companion Animal Assistance Program – This program is to help keep an individual’s pet in their home and out of a shelter. There are times when it comes down to a family or individual feeding themselves or their pet. PATCHES will provide food, vet care, and pharmaceuticals for them until no longer needed.
TNR Program – (Trap Neuter Release). Through marketing PATCHES will reach out to the community regarding a TNR program. Neighborhoods or apartment complexes can call and get information and schedule TNR service. Information gathered from each entity will consist of determining the scope of the problem such as the approximate number of feral cats, and their colony area. Each entity if needed will then be scheduled for a TNR date of the properties. Apartment complexes and HOA’s can notify their residents of the scheduled date(s) and what is expected to happen. Signage will be posted in the area 2 days prior to the TNR date. This notice is to inform the residents to keep in their personal cats from being trapped and processed. PATCHES will then send out a team and place traps in the areas of cat gathering or feeding. Traps will be furnished by PATCHES. Traps will be monitored for several hours and rechecked the following morning. Cats will be then assessed as feral or adoptable. Adoptable cats will be altered, tested, and vaccinated before entering the PATCHES adoption center. Transportation will be scheduled with the approximate numbers of cats in the area with a spay/neuter clinic. While cats are under anesthesia a wellness check will be performed. Testing and vaccines will be conducted. Upon completion of the spay/neuter, unadoptable cats will be released back into the area they came from. Severely sick or FeLV positive cats will be placed in care or humanely euthanized. Recruitment and training of a colony caregiver(s) will be emphasized during our meeting with residents of the HOA or apartment complex.
PATCHES will produce a newsletter for Maricopa residents and general public PSA’s on animal problems and solutions available to them.