Support For Paws

Sharing new initiative by Jo of Holistic Hound -

We are contacting you to let you know about the launch of a new National "Pay it Forward" type scheme within the pet welfare sector. And to ask for your support.
 
Support for Paws has been developed by a number of pet care professionals to create a channel for supporting pet owners who may be struggling financially during the pandemic; to enable their pets to be kept at home - well fed, well groomed and healthy. Helping to reduce the risk of an increase in pets being rehomed during this period. 
 
Secondary to this, is acknowledging the positive impact that our pets have on mental health; and how devastating and stressful it would be to someone who is socially isolated during this period if they were even having to consider losing their pet, or not being able to keep them well looked after. 

We acknowledge that this is not yet necessarily a primary reason for dogs going into rescue, and neither is this scheme intended to detract from supporting Rescues, but as an addition to the support network available. 

 
The Programme is open to participants nationwide from all areas of pet welfare (vets, groomers, retail, kennels etc.) and we are looking to build 

• A network of in-house “paying it forward” scheme for paying it forward of your own design if possible; 
• A central funding scheme for beneficiary referrals

 
We attach the Programme Constitution & Guidelines to give more detail. 
 
As you will see we have designed the programme to be as flexible as possible, giving autonomy to any participating outlets as to how they run their own scheme - be this simply having a donations jar at the till; branded with the S4P logo; allowing people to purchase actual products, which can then be claimed by others; or having a “donation” fee for items; such as Donate A Bag of Food: €30; or donate a welfare groom €50. 
 
All we ask is that participants complete a simple registration process, and sign up to the attached voluntary Code of Conduct; and adopt the Support for Paws branding, and promote the scheme wherever you can. All participants will be issued with supporting promotional material.
 
Applications to participate can be made either by completing the attached form, or via the webpage:
https://www.holistichound.ie/support-for-paws
 
  
A GoFundMe page has been established to collect funds for the referrals; and we will use social media to raise awareness of the Programme. 
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-paws


https://www.facebook.com/Support-for-Paws-109668684263837
 
This same page can be used to make an application for central funds; or similarly the attached form can be emailed directly to us here. 
 
If you are unable to commit to being a participant then we would ask you to please consider supporting the Programme either through donating through the GoFundMe or providing administration or advertising and awareness support. 
 
We look forward to hearing further from you and receiving your registration form; and working with you to make this Programme a huge success.
 
Thank you for your time
 
Support 4 Paws Team
-- 
Jo Arbon, Founder
Tel: +353 87 116 4656
Email: [email protected]
Web : www.holistichound.ie