OUR ELDERLY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Every year many elderly people in Juneau County are forced to give up their beloved pet because they are facing a health or financial crisis. This is a heartbreaking situation for the owner and the animal. We would like to help. Our Elderly Assistance Program is designed to assist persons 60 years old and older in keeping their pet with them for as long as possible. We have members who are willing to assist with dog walking, grooming, driving pets to the veterinarian, and even helping to purchase cat or dog food if necessary. Pets and the elderly. A Good Mix!
To view our Elderly Assistance Application click here .
To ease your mind about the future of your pets, we also offer
'Guardian Angels'
, a program that assures your pet will be taken care of in the event of your illness or death. Please
click here
to view our Guardian Angels form. There is no cost for this program. Please contact one of our board members if you have questions about filing a Guardian Angels form with us.
If you know of someone who could use a hand contact: Elderly Coordinator, 608-847-5558 or
theaneys@mchsi.com
For more information about assistance for the elderly visit the following sites:
● Juneau County Aging and Nutrition Department
● Juneau County Elder Choices Informational Guide
● Consumer Information for Seniors and Care Givers
Meet Anna and Peanut
Anna Madden and her dog, Peanut, are the first recipients of the Carl W. Nelson Animal Shelter's Elderly Assistance Program. Anna was having difficulty trimming Peanut's toenails and so she called us for help. Volunteers visited with Peanut and found him to be most charming, but Peanut let them know that having his nails clipped was not among his favorite past times. A doggie treat peace offering quickly won his forgiveness.
Anna and Peanut are examples of what our Elderly Assistance Program is all about, assisting the elderly to care for their pets for as long as possible.
Four Homeless Cats
We are also providing food and shelter for 4 cats that were left homeless when their elderly owner was admitted to a nursing home. A volunteer from The Carl W. Nelson Animal Shelter feeds the cats every day, and 2 insulated Rubbermaid containers provide shelter from the cold wind. The young cats will soon receive vet checks and they will be spayed or neutered and placed in a permanent home .
Update: The four cats, given the names Pumpkin, Pie, Gracie and Annabelle, have all been placed in foster care after being altered and given health checks. All four cats were females, so without the intervention of the Carl W. Nelson Animal Shelter, the cats had the potential of reproducing thousands of unwanted, and homeless cats in just 5 years!
Update: Grace and Annabelle have now been adopted into loving homes. Pumpkin and Pie have been adopted by their foster family.
