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The Home Of A Pet For Life, Inc.
The
History Of A Pet For Life, Inc.
A
Pet For Life, Inc. is the realization of a dream that started almost twenty
years ago when Ms. Patricia Long adopted her first four-legged friend.
At that point in time, having a dog was no big deal.
You bought or built a doghouse and put the dog in it, providing the
animal with food and water. On nice
days, you might stop by for a visit.
It
didn't take very much exposure for Pat to realize there was much more to this
"pet owner" thing. She
found herself wanting to take the dog for walks.
When the weather became inclement, she found it comforting to bring the
dog inside. Then, she began
teaching the animal to 'sit' and 'stay.' Subsequently,
she read about veterinary care and necessary immunizations to protect her pet.
Pat found the special bond with her dog to be so rewarding, it led her to
wonder what she could do for other pets.
Pat's
eagerness and compassion led her to the Humane Society of Wicomico County in
1990. Volunteering with the Humane
Society was an eye-opening experience. Dogs
and cats had been indiscriminately inbred, so their temperament was unstable for
future home environments. Pets had
been medically neglected: some were covered in fleas; some had chains imbedded
in their necks; some were heartworm positive because they had not received
preventatives. Then, there were the frightened animals -- the cats who had
been left at the front door with runny eyes and diarrhea -- the dogs who cowered
with their tails between their legs because they had been "dumped."
In many cases, these animals were the lucky ones because they somehow
found their way to the Shelter. Others
weren't so lucky. Pat's experience
with the frightened and injured animals at the Humane Society had her wondering
what she could do to help these discarded pets.
The
exposure to animal's special needs at the Humane Society led her to become an
advocate for dogs and cats. She
began taking "problem kids" home with her for one-on-one
rehabilitation. Pat studied the
medical and dietary issues for dogs and cats, gaining the knowledge to encourage
pet owners to be more attentive to the physical and mental health of their
animal. This allowed even more
positive aspects to pet companionship to be enjoyed by both the pet and the
owner.
Pat
volunteered with the Humane Society for nine years.
The things she experienced at the Shelter gave her a dream -- to one day
have her very own facility where she could rescue, rehabilitate, and find loving
homes for surrendered or stray dogs and cats.
Her longstanding association with the Humane Society provided the
experience she needed with a wide range of breeds of dogs and cats, behavior and
obedience issues, veterinary care issues, and bonding between pets and adopters.
To
further the pursuit of her ambitions to rescue animals, Pat needed a place and
she needed funding.
In
1999, she found a way to make it happen. Her
garage became her "shelter" and the funding came from her, as she
began rescuing animals on her own.
Over
the years, Pat has spent countless hours and dollars working toward her goal.
In June 2004, her dream was realized with the establishment of A Pet For
Life, Inc., a tax-exempt nonprofit corporation dedicated to animal welfare.
APFL's main mission is rescuing injured animals, those whom other
organizations may be unwilling or unable to do so.
Pat is the President of A Pet For Life, Inc., remaining the major source
of revenue and the primary caregiver for all aspects of her rescued or
surrendered animals. This includes providing care, both personal and veterinarian,
for the animals, as well as maintaining a sanctuary for them until they can be
adopted. A Pet For Life, Inc., can
accommodate up to twelve dogs and twenty-five cats, but will try to make
additional accommodations when a special situation arises.
After Hurricane Katrina, Pat opened her heart (and her wallet) to take in
Jed and Jeremy, two dogs abandoned by the storm.
Both of these dogs were adopted by loving families.
Pat
maintains a close working relationship with numerous veterinarian practices on
the Eastern Shore, and maintains ties with numerous rescue operations.
Pat's efforts have been reported in the Daily Times newspaper, on
the local television stations, WBOC /
Channel 16 and WMDT / Channel 47, of Salisbury, Maryland.
As President of APFL, Pat stays current with animal rescue issues and
practices, seeking to maintain the highest standards of care for all animals
entrusted to the care of A Pet For Life, Inc.
She personally cares for each and every animal at APFL's shelter.
Assisting Pat are volunteers who act primarily as dog-walkers and as
caregivers in Pat's absence.
Born
and raised on the Eastern Shore Of Maryland, Pat has lifelong roots in the area.
She was born in Wicomico County, is a graduate of Wicomico High School,
and attended Salisbury University with interests in psychology and philosophy.
Pat
is deeply appreciative of her adopters, whom she closely screens for
appropriateness and compassion. She
is also deeply indebted to her "kids," each of whom has given her a
richer understanding of what being a companion to a pet involves.
Pat welcomes your questions and comments. If you are interested in opening your heart and your home for one of our precious animals, A Pet For Life, Inc. can be reached at (410) 677-0776 or email us at apetforlife@Comcast.net.