For the eighth year in a row, Orange County Animal Services will be offering the Pat Sanford Animal Welfare Grant in support of local animal welfare projects and initiatives. This year’s grant is made possible by a generous donation from the Friends of Orange County Animal Shelter.
According to the Orange County website, the grant may be awarded to organizations, groups, or individuals for initiatives up to USD 500. Funds from the grant can be used for a wide variety of seed or pilot projects that support companion animals, including animals used for recreational or therapeutic purposes. They may also be used to supplement other grants, projects, and programs. Recipients of the grant do not have to live in Orange County, but must use the funds in support of animal welfare efforts in Orange County. All applications for the grant are due on Sunday, October 8, 2023.
This program was launched in honor of Pat Sanford, the former Executive Director of the Animal Protection Society of Orange County (APS), who served the organization for seventeen years. Ms. Sanford’s work has been invaluable in making Orange County one of the country’s top counties for animal welfare. Past recipients of the grant include NC Therapeutic Riding Center, Hope Animal Rescue, Carolina Boxer Rescue, Meals on Wheels of Orange County, and many others.
Simple but Impactful Animal Welfare Projects for Your Community
If you have the means to take action for animals in your community, there’s no end of small, but effective initiatives you can contribute to. For instance, you might want to check if your local animal shelter takes volunteers for events such as adoption fairs, vaccination drives, or microchipping campaigns. If you run a pet business, personalized merchandise such as customizable dog collars, martingale collars, and other accessories can help draw attention to specific causes, organizations, and advocacies.
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