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<title>The Ultimate Betrayal: Seniors Abandoned Needing Medical Care</title>
<link>https://famousfidorescue.org/the-ultimate-betrayal-seniors-abandoned-needing-medical-care/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Gloria Lissner]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 08 Nov 2024 23:07:46 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Animal Welfare]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Blogs]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Daily Basis]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Dog Care]]></category>
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<description><![CDATA[The Ultimate Betrayal is a heart-wrenching reality that happens all too often, especially to senior animals like Prince. Imagine giving your heart, your loyalty, your very best for years, only to be discarded when you’re most vulnerable. It’s a pattern we see again and again at the rescue, and it’s devastating - animals who’ve [...]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling" style="--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;" ><div class="fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start" style="max-width:1248px;margin-left: calc(-4% / 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% / 2 );"><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column" style="--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;"><div class="fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column"><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-1"><p><span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>The Ultimate Betrayal</strong></span> is a heart-wrenching reality that happens all too often, especially to senior animals like Prince. Imagine giving your heart, your loyalty, your very best for years, only to be discarded when you’re most vulnerable. It’s a pattern we see again and again at the rescue, and it’s devastating – animals who’ve spent their entire lives trusting, loving, and depending on their guardians are abandoned when they need that love returned.</p>
<p><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-25930" src="https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_1037-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" srcset="https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_1037-200x267.jpeg 200w, https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_1037-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_1037-400x533.jpeg 400w, https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_1037-500x667.jpeg 500w, https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_1037-600x800.jpeg 600w, https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_1037-700x933.jpeg 700w, https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_1037-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_1037-800x1067.jpeg 800w, https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_1037-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_1037-1200x1600.jpeg 1200w, https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_1037-scaled.jpeg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" /></p>
<p>For animals like Prince, the betrayal often starts subtly, and then the disregard becomes more overt. Sometimes it’s a growing impatience with the needs that come with aging – maybe Prince’s guardian found his slower steps and extra care too demanding. Maybe his medical needs became “too much to handle.” But instead of working through these challenges, instead of adjusting to meet his needs, they simply turned away.</p>
<p><em><span style="font-size: 24px;"><strong>They stopped seeing him as the little life that brought them comfort and companionship and started viewing him as a burden.</strong></span></em></p>
<p>In some cases, this betrayal means animals are left alone for long stretches of time, isolated in rooms, ignored, or denied affection because they are “inconvenient.” We’ve heard stories of senior animals confined to basements, left without interaction because their mere presence became a “problem.” Others, like Prince, are left at rescues with cold remarks like, “I can’t look at him anymore,” or “He’s just too old.” It’s as though the years of loyalty and love are erased, and all that’s left is the heartbreak and confusion of abandonment.</p>
<p>What’s most heartbreaking about this ultimate betrayal is the animals’ confusion. They don’t understand why they’re left behind, why the hands that once reached down to pet them are no longer there, or why the laps they nestled into are gone. Prince’s story reminds us of the heavy responsibility we take on when we welcome animals into our lives – they trust us completely, and we are all they have. To betray that trust is more than just turning away; it’s breaking a bond that they thought was unbreakable.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-25584" src="https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Blue-Professional-Head-Manager-Email-Signature-3-300x150.png" alt="" width="300" height="150" srcset="https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Blue-Professional-Head-Manager-Email-Signature-3-200x100.png 200w, https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Blue-Professional-Head-Manager-Email-Signature-3-300x150.png 300w, https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Blue-Professional-Head-Manager-Email-Signature-3.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p>And now, Prince is left to carry that burden. He doesn’t know why he’s here, why the person he loved abandoned him, or why he’s facing a serious medical challenge alone. But we’re determined to rewrite his story. We’re here to tell him that, even though he’s known betrayal, he’ll know love and compassion again. And we need a community willing to make sure Prince feels valued, respected, and adored, not abandoned.</p>
<p>Let’s prove to Prince that love is still here, that he’s worth it, and that the kindness of strangers can heal even the deepest betrayals.</p>
<p>If you would like to donate to help Prince with his medical care, please see his fundraiser below. Thank you for your support.</p>
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<title>Volunteers: The Rescue Heroes We Desperately Need</title>
<link>https://famousfidorescue.org/volunteers-the-rescue-heroes-we-desperately-need/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Gloria Lissner]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 06 Nov 2024 16:58:08 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[About]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Blogs]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Cat Care]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Daily Basis]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Dog Care]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Get Involved]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://famousfidorescue.org/?p=25546</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Volunteering in animal rescue is not for the faint-hearted. It’s a commitment that requires time, energy, and a heart ready to feel deeply. Here at Famous Fido Rescue, we are blessed to have a small, devoted team - people who have been with us every week, month after month, year after year. Their dedication and [...]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Volunteering in animal rescue is not for the faint-hearted. It’s a commitment that requires time, energy, and a heart ready to feel deeply. Here at Famous Fido Rescue, we are blessed to have a small, devoted team – people who have been with us every week, month after month, year after year. Their dedication and commitment are the bedrock of everything we do. Without them, we simply couldn’t exist. But as much as we cherish and appreciate every single one of these incredible souls, we desperately need more hands, more hearts willing to join us and share this burden.</p>
<p>The reality is that rescue work is hard. It’s emotionally and physically exhausting. There are days when our spirits are tested, when the stories of animals who come to us are just too much to bear, and when the endless cycle of cleaning, feeding, and caring seems relentless. But it’s because of these animals – because of the lives they’ve led and the suffering they’ve endured – that we continue. They’ve been let down so many times, abandoned, or left with no one to care for them. At Famous Fido Rescue, we have 130 cats and dogs, each with their own story, their own need for a kind touch, a clean space, and a glimpse of hope.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-25547" src="https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_8885-1-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" srcset="https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_8885-1-200x267.jpeg 200w, https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_8885-1-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_8885-1-400x533.jpeg 400w, https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_8885-1-500x667.jpeg 500w, https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_8885-1-600x800.jpeg 600w, https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_8885-1-700x933.jpeg 700w, https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_8885-1-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_8885-1-800x1067.jpeg 800w, https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_8885-1-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_8885-1-1200x1600.jpeg 1200w, https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_8885-1-scaled.jpeg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" /></p>
<p>By volunteering, you are not just cleaning a room or filling a water bowl. You’re offering these animals a lifeline. When you clean the cat rooms or the dog rooms, you’re creating a safe, comfortable space where they can begin to heal. You’re giving them a reason to trust again. Your hands are not just lifting mops or sweeping up fur – they’re part of something much larger. Every task you take on lightens the load for us all and brings more relief and hope to the animals who need it most.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-25548" src="https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Screenshot_20241106_103733_Photos2-240x300.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="300" srcset="https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Screenshot_20241106_103733_Photos2-200x250.jpg 200w, https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Screenshot_20241106_103733_Photos2-240x300.jpg 240w, https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Screenshot_20241106_103733_Photos2-400x500.jpg 400w, https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Screenshot_20241106_103733_Photos2-500x625.jpg 500w, https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Screenshot_20241106_103733_Photos2-600x749.jpg 600w, https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Screenshot_20241106_103733_Photos2-700x874.jpg 700w, https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Screenshot_20241106_103733_Photos2-768x959.jpg 768w, https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Screenshot_20241106_103733_Photos2-800x999.jpg 800w, https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Screenshot_20241106_103733_Photos2-820x1024.jpg 820w, https://famousfidorescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Screenshot_20241106_103733_Photos2.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px" /></p>
<p>This work isn’t easy, and it shouldn’t be taken lightly. Volunteering with us means making a commitment, showing up even on the days when it’s hard. But that’s what rescue is. It’s showing up for animals who have no one else.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 20px;"><strong>Volunteering is creating joy in the small moments, the soft purrs, the wagging tails, knowing that with every shift, with every act of care, you’re giving them a better chance.</strong></span></p>
<p>We know that it’s not for everyone, but if you are someone who believes in making a real difference, who wants to be part of a team that stands up for those who can’t speak for themselves, then we ask you – please, volunteer with us. Help us clean the cat rooms, the dog rooms. Help us bring light into their lives and give them the love they’ve been searching for. Together, we can make sure that no animal at Famous Fido Rescue ever feels alone again.</p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 20px;"><a href="https://famousfidorescue.org/volunteer">Apply to Volunteer</a></span></strong></p>
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<title>Why Pet Insurance Matters More Than You Think</title>
<link>https://famousfidorescue.org/why-pet-insurance-matters-more-than-you-think/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Gloria Lissner]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 12 Apr 2024 15:56:11 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Blogs]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Dog Care]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[General Health]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://famousfidorescue.org/?p=20933</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Let’s talk about something real: the bond between us and our furry family members. It’s something indescribable, built on love, trust, and countless shared moments. But there’s a harsh truth lurking beneath the surface, one that many of us shy away from: sometimes, our furry friends need medical care that we just can’t afford. It’s [...]]]></description>
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<p>Let’s talk about something real: the bond between us and our furry family members. It’s something indescribable, built on love, trust, and countless shared moments. But there’s a harsh truth lurking beneath the surface, one that many of us shy away from: sometimes, our furry friends need medical care that we just can’t afford. It’s a gut-wrenching situation that far too many guardians face, and its why pet insurance isn’t just a luxury—it’s a lifeline.</p>
<p>Picture this: you’re a cat or dog parent facing a tough choice. Your furball needs urgent medical attention, but the bill is way beyond your budget. What do you do? For some, it means draining savings accounts or maxing out credit cards. But for others, it’s the beginning of a heartbreaking journey to the shelter, where they have to say goodbye to their beloved companion because they can’t foot the vet bill.</p>
<p>Now, let’s talk about what happens next. Shelters are overflowing with animals just like yours—animals who were cherished members of a family until money got tight. But shelters can only do so much. They’re stretched thin, and some animals end up paying the ultimate price: euthanasia. It’s a word that hits like a punch to the gut, a reminder of the stark reality that financial barriers can cost lives.</p>
<p>And for the lucky ones who make it out of the shelter alive, the struggle isn’t over. Without proper medical care, their health can deteriorate, their pain can linger, and their quality of life can suffer. It’s a silent struggle that many endure, all because their families couldn’t afford the care they needed.</p>
<p>But here’s where pet insurance steps in. It’s not just about protecting your wallet – it’s about protecting your beloved furry family member. It’s about saying, “I’ve got you, no matter what.” With pet insurance, you can make decisions based on what’s best for your furry friend, not what’s cheapest. It’s about peace of mind, knowing that you can give your cats and dogs the care they deserve without sacrificing your financial stability.</p>
<p>So, let’s make it real. Let’s talk about the late-night trips to the emergency vet, the scary diagnoses, and the moments of relief when you know you’re covered. Let’s talk about the joy of seeing your furry companion happy and healthy again, knowing that you made the right choice when it mattered most.</p>
<p>Because here’s the thing: pet insurance isn’t just a piece of paper or a monthly expense. It’s a promise – a promise to stand by your furry family members through sickness and health, to give them the life they deserve, and to never let money come between you and the ones you love.</p>
<p>So, if you’re a guardian reading this, take a moment to think about what your furry friend means to you. And then ask yourself: isn’t it worth it to protect them, no matter what? Because trust me, when it comes down to it, there’s nothing more important than keeping your family together, happy, and healthy. And that’s why pet insurance matters more than you think.</p>
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<title>The Lifesaving Importance of Microchipping and Proper Identification for Our Furry Companions</title>
<link>https://famousfidorescue.org/the-lifesaving-importance-of-microchipping-and-proper-identification-for-our-furry-companions/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Gloria Lissner]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 11 Apr 2024 20:33:36 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Blogs]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Dog Care]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Helpful Info]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://famousfidorescue.org/?p=20920</guid>
<description><![CDATA[In a world where our furry companions are cherished members of the family, ensuring their safety should be a top priority for guardians. One crucial aspect of cat and dog safety often overlooked is proper identification, which includes microchipping and visible tags on collars. Let's delve into why this seemingly small detail can make [...]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-2 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling" style="--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;" ><div class="fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start" style="max-width:1248px;margin-left: calc(-4% / 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% / 2 );"><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column" style="--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;"><div class="fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column"><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-2"><p>In a world where our furry companions are cherished members of the family, ensuring their safety should be a top priority for guardians. One crucial aspect of cat and dog safety often overlooked is proper identification, which includes microchipping and visible tags on collars. Let’s delve into why this seemingly small detail can make a world of difference.</p>
<p>First and foremost, microchipping provides a permanent form of identification for our furry family members. Unlike collars and tags, which can fall off or be removed, a microchip is a tiny implant injected under the skin that contains a unique identification number. This number is linked to the guardian’s contact information in a national pet recovery database. However, simply microchipping your cat or dog is not enough; it’s imperative to ensure that the microchip is registered with up-to-date contact details.</p>
<p>But why is identification so crucial? The unfortunate reality is that our companions can easily go missing, whether it’s due to slipping out of retractable leads, escaping through open windows or doors, or finding gaps under gates and over fences. These situations can happen in the blink of an eye, leaving guardians frantic and desperate to find their beloved companions.</p>
<p>Without proper identification, the chances of reuniting with a lost furry family member diminish significantly. They could end up miles away from home, disoriented and vulnerable. That’s why it’s essential to be proactive and prepared for such scenarios. Taking preventive measures, such as securing windows and doors and supervising outdoor time, can reduce the risk of your furchild wandering off. However, accidents can still happen, which is why having robust identification measures in place is crucial.</p>
<p>In the event that your companion does go missing, time is of the essence. Immediately posting on social media platforms, neighborhood apps, and websites dedicated to reuniting lost companions with their guardians, such as <a href="https://petfbi.org">petfbi.org</a>, can greatly increase the chances of a successful reunion. These platforms have a wide reach and can mobilize the community to keep an eye out for the missing animal.</p>
<p><strong>Moreover, if you come across a lost cat or dog, resist the urge to take them to a shelter immediately.</strong> While shelters play a vital role in reuniting lost pets with their guardians, keeping the animal safe at home while actively searching for their guardian is often the best course of action. Checking for a microchip and scanning for tags can provide vital information to facilitate a swift reunion.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Famous Fido Rescue is fundraising to implement an ID tag engraving station at the rescue to help the public and recent adoptees. Help us get our ID tag engraving station by clicking the donate button below. It’s a lifesaving resource!</p>
<p> </p>
</div><div style="text-align:center;"><a class="fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-default fusion-button-default button-1 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type" target="_self" href="https://famousfidorescue.org/donate"><span class="fusion-button-text">DONATE TO HELP US GET AN IDENTIFICATION STATION</span></a></div></div></div></div></div>
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<title>How Compassionate Animal Care Serves the Community</title>
<link>https://famousfidorescue.org/how-compassionate-animal-care-serves-the-community/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Gloria Lissner]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 08 May 2023 20:57:17 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Animal Welfare]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Cat Care]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Dog Care]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Programs]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://famousfidorescue.org/?p=14135</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Chicago is a model city for urban growth, business, invention, architecture, and quality of life. Unfortunately, our beautiful city has not been a model for compassion, especially regarding companion animals – dogs and cats. Despite our reputation for progressive ways of thinking, under current laws, companion animals like dogs and cats are considered property: commodities [...]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Chicago is a model city for urban growth, business, invention, architecture, and quality of life. Unfortunately, our beautiful city has not been a model for compassion, especially regarding companion animals – dogs and cats. Despite our reputation for progressive ways of thinking, under current laws, companion animals like dogs and cats are considered property: commodities that are bought, sold, treated, bred, and traded by people as they see fit. This leads to a perpetual cycle of people breeding and abandoning their dogs and cats to die in shelters.</p>
<p>At Famous Fido Rescue and Adoption Alliance, we not only rescue animals, but we also advocate on behalf of them to win the rights to which they are entitled. We are promoting the passage of a Compassionate Care Act to protect the rights of animals and improve the state of our community overall. The Compassionate Care Plan centers on stopping the cycle of dog and cat overpopulation in shelters to prevent the unnecessary killing of millions of companion animals each year. We have done the same things the same way, and the number of animals killed in shelters has continued to climb. The Compassionate Care Plan encourages a change in our community’s way of thinking and behaving to stem the flow of animals to kill and no-kill shelters.</p>
<p>You may have noticed a difference in standard language in the paragraphs above. Instead of using terms like “owner” and “pet,” what if we started using “guardian” and “companion”? We use these terms to emphasize our responsibility to companion animals as sentient beings who are able to feel emotions and pain just like you and I can. What if we stopped using the term “euthanasia” and started using “killing” instead? The term “euthanasia” comes from the Greek roots eu “well” + thanatos “death” and translates roughly to “easy death.” For our companion animals, though, these deaths are anything but easy. Do you see how uncomfortable it becomes to think about killing our companion animals? It is this change that leads to the reforms we propose in the Compassionate Care Plan.</p>
<p><strong>Spaying and Neutering Education:</strong> The cycle of killing begins with indiscriminate breeding by unlicensed guardians. In some cases, guardians perceive spaying and neutering as harmful when, in fact, these procedures can protect dogs and cats from reproductive cancers. In other cases, an outdated understanding of veterinary science has led people to think that female dogs “need” to have at least one litter of puppies, fueling overpopulation in shelters. Furthermore, some guardians believe that spaying and neutering are unaffordable. However, places like PAWS and Anti-Cruelty Society run low-cost spay and neuter clinics. One of our key proposals in the Compassionate Care Plan is to provide private and public funding to educate people and to expand the number of clinics in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.</p>
<p><strong>Prohibitions on Backyard Breeding:</strong> A backyard breeder is an unlicensed private citizen who deliberately breeds dogs and cats to make money on the side or simply fails to neuter or spay their family dogs and cats, allowing them to breed indiscriminately. This problem is more significant than most people realize: casual and small-scale operations of backyard breeding account for the sale of two-thirds of the fifty-three million dogs in the United States. Many of these animals live in filthy, disease-ridden conditions and often lack proper shelter and food. Backyard breeders do not educate or screen dog or cat buyers. Puppies and kittens may be placed in abusive homes. Unprepared buyers take them home and may quickly tire of the commitment to their companion animal, dropping the family dog or cat off at a shelter after the novelty wears off. Stiff fines and penalties for unlawful backyard breeders will halt the unchecked flow of animals from these sources and lead to a drastic reduction of intakes at animal shelters.</p>
<p><strong>Microchipping:</strong> Lost dogs and cats contribute significantly to the shelter population. Sadly, only 15% of lost dogs and 2% of lost cats are actually returned to their guardians because people do not take precautions with identification. Because tags and collars can be easily lost, microchipping is the most effective way to ensure lost animals are reunited with their guardians. This procedure is inexpensive and causes very little pain to the animal. Some places offer microchipping procedures at special events for even cheaper than the market rate. The way to curb the killing of family companion animals is to enact a law requiring microchip implantation much as rabies vaccines are mandated. Lost dogs and cats can then be safely and happily reunited with their families.</p>
<p><strong>Adoption Screening:</strong> Uninformed, unprepared guardians are allowed to take home dogs and cats from some shelters every day. Worse yet, some adopters turn out to be animal abusers/abandoners or backyard breeders themselves. These animals are often put out on the street to fend for themselves: lonely, ill-prepared, and frightened. Many will be picked up and sent right back to a shelter, perpetuating the cycle of overpopulation and killing. The Compassionate Care Act encourages effective screening and counseling of potential adopters, leading to a higher retention rate of companion animals and a significant decrease in animals’ reentry into the shelter system.</p>
<p><strong>Guidelines for “Owner Surrender”:</strong> We need to think of companion animals as members of the family, not as pieces of property to be easily acquired and discarded at will. Every day, guardians abandon thousands of companion animals by taking them to shelters. This is called “owner surrender,” and in many cases, these guardians actually believe they have done the best thing for their companion animal. They comfort themselves with the fantasy that their dog or cat will find a loving home, a “better fit” than with their family.</p>
<p>People who tell themselves this must realize that is far from the truth. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, of the 6.5 million animals who enter the U.S. shelter system each year, 1.5 million are killed. These numbers are impossible to confirm with certainty; the number is believed to be much higher. Furthermore, 10% of animals that are adopted from a shelter are no longer in their new home six months after adoption. Astonishingly, even though advice and counsel from family, friends, and veterinarians make it three times more likely for a guardian to retain a dog or cat, no counseling is provided before a guardian surrenders an animal. The Compassionate Care Plan encourages counseling to educate people and provide resources to help them retain the family dog or cat.</p>
<p><strong>Stop Violence Against Animals:</strong> Society has a duty to stop the abuse of both humans and animals. Dogs and cats depend on their guardians to feed and shelter them. Acts of violence against animals are acts of violence against the community itself. A compassionate, enlightened society requires its members to fulfill their obligations and does not allow living beings to suffer and die. To ignore violence of any kind is to accept and sanction it within the community. This is not the type of world we want our children to grow up in.</p>
<p>Even people who are not animal lovers must realize how important it is to detect and stop the cycle of violence against animals. We know that domestic abuse perpetrators begin by abusing the family dog or cat first before escalating unpunished abusive acts to human beings. While child abuse is often hidden from the neighbors, animal abuse has less shame attached to it and is often witnessed by a neighbor. Therefore, appropriate legislation to punish those who abuse and neglect companion animals ensures that authorities will be able to investigate <em>all </em>allegations and evidence of violence. While this is critical to protecting animals, it also provides a means by which authorities can investigate other domestic violence issues, such as abuse and neglect of children and the elderly. If the abuse and neglect of the family dog or cat can be investigated and stopped, fining and arresting the perpetrators, this may help keep children and the elderly safe from would-abusers.</p>
<p><strong>Education Programs at Home and Schools:</strong> Children must be educated in the care and respect of animals. Without careful instruction, children may end up approaching an animal in a way that causes them to be harmed. Putting a hand or face in a dog’s face may encourage that animal to bite out of surprise or misunderstood intent. After all, a dog cannot use words to tell you how to approach him. Picking up or aggressively petting a cat may cause her to scratch in self-defense because she cannot use words to tell you she dislikes what you are doing. Children are often over-exuberant in handling animals and end up sustaining easily avoidable injuries. A little education can prevent both injury and owner surrender.</p>
<p>If parents do not have the time or energy to teach compassion and respectful approach of animals, then schools must do so. Many schools already have anti-bullying initiatives in place. Just as children must learn not to join in with a school bully attacking another child and to report the incident to a trusted adult, so, must children be taught to report animal abuse and torture. Aside from fulfilling our obligation to protect and defend all life, the community must realize that many children who torture animals have suffered abuse themselves or may have a serious psychological condition. We must set up programs where children and adolescents who have abused animals receive counseling and treatment so the cycle of violence is not permitted to continue.</p>
<p>The first step towards learning to value life – all life – is never to abuse or condone the abuse of any person or creature. Children learn from the actions and words of their parents and other family members. If they observe the easy acquisition and subsequent discard of a dog or cat, this teaches them that life is expendable and that empathy is not an essential value in the family. Without models of compassionate, empathetic behavior, children may learn the wrong lessons about how to treat others.</p>
<p>It is a lack of compassion that leads to acts of violence such as bullying, abuse, and neglect. Unfortunately, our society has promoted technology at the expense of compassion. Companion animals are beings who cannot be deleted from social media feeds or blocked from friends lists. They are lifetime commitments, not objects to be thrown away when their guardians decide they want “newer” or “better” companion animals. Compassion is not a finite resource. When properly cultivated in others, empathy leads to societal and community improvement.</p>
<p>When we talk about the Compassionate Care Plan and a new way of thinking and problem solving, it is with all of these elements in mind to help shape a kinder, more compassionate and ethical society that honors its obligations and commitments to all beings. The old way of thinking about our relationship with animals has not worked, nor have our methods to attempt to reduce the overpopulation of companion animals been successful. Now is the time to change our attitudes, language, and practices to change our society and protect the sanctity of all life.</p>
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<title>Compassionate Care for Senior Animal Companions: Why It’s Important and How You Can Help</title>
<link>https://famousfidorescue.org/compassionate-care-for-senior-animal-companions-why-its-important-and-how-you-can-help/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Gloria Lissner]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 05 May 2023 18:05:21 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Cat Care]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Dog Care]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Programs]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://famousfidorescue.org/?p=14050</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Charlie is a senior dog at our rescue who is in need of a little extra care in his twilight years. Each week, he goes to the vet to have fluid drained from around his heart, a labor-intensive process that requires a lot of time and effort. But for those who care for Charlie, it's [...]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Charlie is a senior dog at our rescue who is in need of a little extra care in his twilight years. Each week, he goes to the vet to have fluid drained from around his heart, a labor-intensive process that requires a lot of time and effort. But for those who care for Charlie, it’s all worth it to see him comfortable and happy. Charlie’s story is a reminder of the importance of caring for senior cats and dogs, who require a different type of care than their younger counterparts. As animal companions age, they may develop age-related health issues that require more attention and monitoring. But with the right care, senior animal companions can still live happy, fulfilling lives, just like Charlie. In this blog post, we’ll explore why it’s essential to care for senior cats and dogs, what’s involved in their care, and provide statistics on how many are surrendered to shelters.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Why Care for Senior Cats and Dogs?</strong></p>
<p>Senior cats and dogs have unique needs and challenges as they age, and it’s essential to provide the care and attention they require. Here are some reasons why caring for senior cats and dogs is vital:</p>
<ol>
<li>
<p>Health Issues: Senior animals are more prone to age-related health issues such as arthritis, diabetes, and cognitive dysfunction. By providing regular veterinary care and monitoring, we can detect and treat these issues early to keep our animal companions comfortable and healthy.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Emotional Support: Senior animals often have a deeper bond with their human companions and can provide emotional support during challenging times. They may also have less energy and require less exercise, making them ideal companions for older adults.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Loyalty: Senior animals have a lifetime of loyalty and love to offer, and caring for them in their golden years is a way to show gratitude for their years of companionship and devotion.</p>
</li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 24px;"><strong>What’s Involved in Senior Animal Companions’ Care?</strong></span></p>
<p><strong>Caring for senior cats and dogs involves several essential components:</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>
<p>Veterinary Care: Regular veterinary check-ups and preventative care are critical to detecting and treating age-related health issues early. Senior animal companions may require more frequent check-ups than younger animals, and their diet may need to be adjusted to accommodate their changing health needs.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Diet and Nutrition: Senior animal companions often require a different type of diet than younger animals to support their changing nutritional needs. Senior pet food is typically lower in calories and higher in protein to support muscle maintenance.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Exercise and Mental Stimulation: While senior animal companions may not need as much physical exercise as younger animals, they still need mental stimulation and regular activity to keep them happy and healthy. This can include short walks, puzzle toys, and interactive playtime.</p>
</li>
</ol>
<p><strong>Statistics on Surrendered Senior Animal Companions</strong></p>
<p>Sadly, many senior animal companions are surrendered to shelters each year. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter shelters each year, and senior animals are among the most vulnerable. The ASPCA reports that senior dogs have the highest risk of euthanasia in shelters, with a 20% chance of being euthanized, compared to just 5% for younger dogs.</p>
<p><strong>Don’t Surrender A Senior Animal</strong></p>
<p>Surrendering a senior cat or dog should be an absolute last resort, as it can have a devastating impact on their emotional and physical well-being. Senior animal companions are often more sensitive to changes in their environment and can become stressed and anxious when they are separated from their human companions. They may also have a harder time adjusting to shelter life and be at higher risk of developing health issues. By choosing to care for senior cats and dogs through all stages of life, we can provide them with the love, attention, and support they need to live out their golden years in comfort and happiness.</p>
<p><strong>In Conclusion</strong></p>
<p>As individuals who share our lives with animal companions, we have a responsibility to care for them through all stages of life, including their senior years. Providing senior cats and dogs with the care they need requires time, effort, and resources, but it’s a small price to pay for the loyalty and love they provide us throughout their lives. As the saying goes, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” Let’s show our animal companions the love and respect they deserve by providing them with the care they need in their golden years.</p>
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<title>What Sponsoring an Animal Means</title>
<link>https://famousfidorescue.org/what-sponsoring-an-animal-means/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Gloria Lissner]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 04 May 2023 01:39:10 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Cat Care]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Dog Care]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Get Involved]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://famousfidorescue.org/?p=14004</guid>
<description><![CDATA[At Famous Fido Rescue we help many animals that have experienced abuse, neglect, or abandonment. But we realize that not every person who is touched by an animals store has the ability to adopt. Remembering that every animal only gets one precious life, our goal is to have a positive influence and outcome, making their [...]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>At Famous Fido Rescue we help many animals that have experienced abuse, neglect, or abandonment. But we realize that not every person who is touched by an animals store has the ability to adopt. Remembering that every animal only gets one precious life, our goal is to have a positive influence and outcome, making their one precious life the best it can be. Becoming an animal sponsor is one way we try to open an avenue for their support when the perfect solution isn’t yet available. Here are some of the crucial things our sponsors enable us to provide for the cats and dogs who call us their temporary home.</p>
<h3 class="fusion-responsive-typography-calculated" data-fontsize="34" data-lineheight="43.86px">Medical Expenses</h3>
<p>Every animal at Famous Fido Rescue is responsibly and appropriately cared for with their vetting. Sponsor for medical expenses can contribute to their spaying, neutering, vaccinations, treatments, and emergency care. Healthy animals who have done these things stand a monumentally greater chance of being adopted to forever homes.</p>
<h3 class="fusion-responsive-typography-calculated" data-fontsize="34" data-lineheight="43.86px">Training Solutions</h3>
<p>Training is a crucial part of preparing dogs for their future homes. Our hope is to work with both cats and dogs and build on their potential to ease them with their transitions. With cats this can take the form of increased exposure to and interaction with volunteers. Cats who are more socialized again, have a better chance of being adopted. Training solutions such as positive-reinforcement classes for dogs can help ease their anxiety, and other behavioral challenges.</p>
<h3 class="fusion-responsive-typography-calculated" data-fontsize="34" data-lineheight="43.86px">Facility Improvements</h3>
<p>There are 8 cat rooms, 5 dog rooms, a training room, and outdoor play space at our facility. This eliminates the need for cages in all but a few specific circumstances related to animal safety. With the drastic rise in animal surrenders during the pandemic we are again looking for ways to improve our capabilities. Sponsorship helps lay the bricks and pave the way for us to work with animals in environments that resemble the real world.</p>
<h3 class="fusion-responsive-typography-calculated" data-fontsize="34" data-lineheight="43.86px">Events And Campaigns</h3>
<p>Throughout the year, Famous Fido Rescue hosts several events and runs campaigns to advocate animal adoptions and raise funds for their food, shelter, and medical care. This requires a network of engaged individuals and outreach. Working with animal sponsors is a great way for Famous Fido and dedicated animal lovers to connect and pool the efforts in important directions.</p>
<h3 class="fusion-responsive-typography-calculated" data-fontsize="34" data-lineheight="43.86px">Sanctuary Animals</h3>
<p>When animals are not able to pass a behavioral assessment, or require extensive medical care, they are offered a safe space to stay in the Famous Fido sanctuary so they are not lost to euthanasia. As these animals are often more costly to care for, we often seek sponsors to commit to easing the impact of these costs and providing a reliable source of support.</p>
<h3 class="fusion-responsive-typography-calculated" data-fontsize="34" data-lineheight="43.86px">Interventions</h3>
<p>To save animals from entering shelters to begin with, Famous Fido Rescue works on solutions where cats or dogs can stay with their people in safe and loving homes. With this service, counseling and resources are offered to community members to prevent animals being surrendered. Sometimes this involves temporarily boarding an animal while their guardian resolves a housing situation or makes some necessary arrangements for the animal’s well-being. This is a cost that few, if any other animal rescues or shelters ever incur. Striving to handle things on a case by case basis makes sponsorship all the more vital in remaining flexible yet solvent as an organization.</p>
<h3 class="fusion-responsive-typography-calculated" data-fontsize="34" data-lineheight="43.86px">Getting Involved</h3>
<p>If you or someone you know can make a contribution to a cause like animal sponsorship at Famous Fido, we heartily encourage you to. You can do so by clicking <a href="https://famousfidorescue.org/adoption/">here</a> and choosing the dog or cat you would like to help out.</p>
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<title>A Guide for First-Time Dog Guardians</title>
<link>https://famousfidorescue.org/a-guide-for-first-time-dog-guardians/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Gloria Lissner]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Apr 2023 15:32:50 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Dog Care]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://famousfidorescue.org/?p=13708</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Bringing home a dog is one of the best choices you'll ever make. You'll be amazed at just how much love, joy and memories a dog will bring to your family. Getting a dog was the easy choice. Soon you'll have to make many more difficult choices to keep your dog healthy, happy and well trained. [...]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Bringing home a dog is one of the best choices you’ll ever make. You’ll be amazed at just how much love, joy and memories a dog will bring to your family. Getting a dog was the easy choice. Soon you’ll have to make many more difficult choices to keep your dog healthy, happy and well trained. You’ll realize that there’s an incredible variety of options available – enough to make your head spin. Here are seven of the most crucial steps to take when it comes to ensuring the health and happiness of a new canine companion.</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>Set up a winning environment – </strong>You would not let a toddler out of your sight to explore and get into things that could harm him, so don’t allow your new dog or puppy to explore without constant supervision. Make the environment safe, and most importantly make sure the pup cannot make a mistake such as going “potty” or destroying property in the home.</li>
<li><strong>Potty train your dog </strong>– This should be the easiest thing to do, but when humans fail at this, the dog is usually punished for which he does not understand, or he’s shipped off to the shelter, quite possibly to be killed. The key to potty training is to set up a schedule of taking the dog out (puppies more frequently) in a timely manner; supervising them indoors so they can’t make a mistake; rewarding them with treats when they potty outdoors; and being consistent. Dogs understand routines and rewards!</li>
<li><strong>Understand your dog’s body language </strong>– He cannot speak in your language and most people only know what other experts are simply making up about how your dog is guilty of making a mess or feels superior if he walks out of the door before you or growls because he’s trying to dominate you. Long before a dog bites, he has been trying to show you signals that he’s afraid or concerned about something. When the human misinterprets and ignores the signals, the dog may escalate his attempt to communicate by biting! This could have been avoided if the human had a better understanding of why the dog was afraid instead of trying to punish the fear out of the dog!</li>
<li><strong>Learn proper handling </strong>– This is a new dog in your home and you don’t have much history of what his last home was like. Again, you should employ no punitive measures (hitting, grabbing, forcing, etc.). If you notice the dog is concerned about something, you’ll need to change the dog’s emotional response such that the thing that concerns the dog becomes a predictor of something he likes (food, toy, etc.) Maybe the dog is afraid of men, for example. When men walk into the room, you should feed the dog something special. Over time, the dog learns that men aren’t so scary because when they appear, so does the favorite treat!</li>
<li><strong>Make a positive introduction with your new dog to the other dog in your household </strong>– Dogs should meet outdoors on a leash before going indoors. Rather than a face-to-face meeting, they should be walked parallel, beginning at a comfortable distance where the dogs are not reacting, and if all goes well you can decrease the distance so dogs are walking side by side. If you have a yard, take them there, and drop the leashes, so you can quickly remove the dogs should an altercation arise. If the dogs appear to want to play (dogs are relaxed and giving play bow signals) take them off the leash to run around. Monitor them closely and make sure that the play is interrupted frequently by calling them to you. This is to remove the opportunity for the dog to tip over to arousal and agitation, which can happen when they are overstimulated.</li>
<li><strong>Protect your dog </strong>– Safety should be a priority. Don’t leave your dog alone in the yard. Don’t tether him outside while you go into a store, and don’t ever leave him in your car! You wouldn’t put your child in jeopardy of being abducted (or frying on hot days). Keep him safe from strange dogs by not having a meet-and-greet while out for a walk. You don’t know the other dog and they could be sick or unfriendly. Also, leashes can become tangled and dogs could panic. Well-socialized dogs should play unleashed in a secure area.</li>
<li><strong>Put identification on your dog </strong>– Even if he’s micro-chipped, it is much easier and faster if someone finds your dog to read his dog tag information and return him to you. Without visible tags, you’re relying on someone taking your dog to a shelter, veterinary hospital, or doggie daycare, hoping that the facility has a scanner to obtain the information from the microchip. And remember if your information has changed (phone contacts, address, etc.) please update your records with the microchip company.</li>
</ol>
<p>Before your dog becomes another shelter-dog statistic, we hope you consider whether you have time for a dog before you bring one home. If you do, then find a dog trainer who uses rewards-based positive reinforcement techniques, and make sure you spend the time properly adhering to the training program. Some things should be common sense such as keeping your dog safe or providing a loving and nurturing environment, but other things such as dog behavior issues may need be resolved or prevented with the help of a certified professional who does not use aversive methods to teach you and your dog. Choose wisely and don’t be fooled by marketing ploys. Regardless of the trainer’s credentials or what they’re calling their method: force-free, balanced, positive, etc. IF SOMEONE IS HURTING YOUR DOG, IT IS NOT TRAINING; IT IS ABUSE! If you wouldn’t use the method on your child, don’t use it on your dog! Training can enhance the human/hound experience, which means more time attending dog-friendly places and very little chance of sentencing him to a possible life of confinement in a shelter cage or worse!</p>
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<title>The No-Kill Philosophy</title>
<link>https://famousfidorescue.org/the-no-kill-philosophy/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Gloria Lissner]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Sat, 15 Apr 2023 03:19:27 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Dog Care]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[No Kill]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://famousfidorescue.org/?p=13395</guid>
<description><![CDATA["Open door shelters" are places where people can drop off an animal with no questions asked. We believe these facilities actually encourage abandonment of dogs and cats. Here’s an example. A woman came to Famous Fido hoping to adopt a cat. During her interview, it came to light that in the previous year when [...]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-3 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling" style="--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;" ><div class="fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start" style="max-width:1248px;margin-left: calc(-4% / 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% / 2 );"><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-2 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column" style="--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;"><div class="fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column"><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-3"><p>“Open door shelters” are places where people can drop off an animal with no questions asked. We believe these facilities actually encourage abandonment of dogs and cats. Here’s an example. A woman came to Famous Fido hoping to adopt a cat. During her interview, it came to light that in the previous year when moving from her last city, she had dropped her two cats off at an open door shelter. After getting settled in Chicago, she decided she would like a cat again and came to us to adopt one. She thought it completely acceptable to abandon her animals when it was not convenient to care for them during her relocation and pick up another later. No one had corrected her. No one had asked why she was abandoning the cats or offered her viable alternatives. She was unaware that the cats she abandoned in her last city were most likely euthanized. People should not be able to leave animals at a shelter without being interviewed as to why. Counselors should be available to discuss the answers. Some questions for consideration are:</p>
<ul>
<li>Are there medical issues we could help with?</li>
<li>Is the animal displaying problem behaviors that our trainers could help work through?</li>
<li>Are they able to keep the animal temporarily until a suitable home or foster home can be found?</li>
<li>Do they know anyone that would be willing to take the animal?</li>
</ul>
<p>The guardian should be told what is likely to happen to the animal. They should be made aware of their obligation at the point of adoption and reminded of that obligation when they feel they can no longer fulfill it. Abandonment must not be made easy. We would like each animal to be assigned an advocate when it arrives into the shelter – someone to care for and promote the animal to potential adopters. It’s a traumatic time for an animal, and consistently seeing a familiar face can help reduce a dog or cat’s anxiety. Animals should be examined and provided with appropriate medical care and not destroyed as soon as a defect is discovered. They should be assessed by experienced staff who will take all factors into account, i.e., shelter environment, the stress of being handled by strangers, the trauma of abandonment, and previous mistreatment or abuse. People must be aware of the reality of the shelter and what will happen to their animal. We must ensure that there is no other option than educating people about their obligations and responsibilities. We recognize that uneducated dog owners, an unregulated dog-training industry, and lack of mental stimulation and enrichment for the dogs are at the core of this issue. Our goal is to prevent dogs from becoming another shelter-dog statistic by providing rescue organizations and new guardians with education and support.</p>
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