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"KEEPING FAMILIES TOGETHER"

We've all seen the headlines, (see excerpts below),
"Hard Times leaving animal homeless", "Pets in
Foreclosure", "Food pantries see spike in households
in need". Many of us, including our animals are
experiencing economic tough times. New statistics
show that one in six American families are struggling
to make ends meet and now rely on Food Banks as
their only source of food. It is to serve our animals,
and their owners, that CoPAL has initiated its
Keeping Families Together project.

COPAL HAS DONATED OVER 10,000 POUNDS OF
PET FOOD TO AREA FOOD BANKS!

Keeping Four-Legged Family Members in their Homes:
Families are struggling to feed their pets and keep
them in their home. Statistics show that almost two-
thirds of Massachusetts' residents have at least one
pet – mostly considered beloved family members.
CoPAL initiated a "Keeping Families Together" food
costs of pet ownership. An additional byproduct of
this initiative is reducing the increasing pressures on
overwhelmed local animal shelters that have been
inundated with pets surrendered by financially
strapped owners unable to keep their pets. Keeping
pets with their families reduces the increasing
numbers of animals who are subject to the tragic fate
of economic euthania.

The following is an e-mail sent to CoPAL by a local
veternary clinic concerning the plight of an owner of
4 dogs:

"I just had a client call me crying. She has 4 dogs
and cannot afford to feed them. I have dealt with her
before and know that her family is in a bad way. She
is looking to try to adopt out the youngest so she
doesn't have to feed it. She doesn't want her older
dogs put to sleep, but doesn't feel they are
adoptable, and is having a very hard time. How can I
direct her to get your help?".

With your help we can help this pet owner keep their
pets!

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See supplemental information below: