Michelson Found Animals and Downtown Dog Rescue Celebrates 1st Year of Partnership by Exceeding Its Lifesaving Goal by 655%

LOS ANGELES, CA, April 24, 2014 (Press-News.org) Michelson Found Animals (www.FoundAnimals.org), an independently funded nonprofit working to find the big ideas that reduce euthanasia in shelters, is celebrating the 1-year anniversary of its Surrender Prevention Program, an innovative partnership managed by Downtown Dog Rescue, and funded primarily by Found Animals. The Surrender Prevention Program which launched on April 6, 2013, exceeded its original goal of preventing 400 animals from entering the Chesterfield Square Shelter (formerly South LA) by 655%. The program offers families the opportunity to speak with a counsellor who can provide solutions to the challenges driving pet owners to consider surrendering their pet.

The Surrender Prevention Program intercepted 2,622 pets that were at-risk of being surrendered to the shelter within the first year, 6.5 times the original goal of 400 interventions. This lifesaving program averages 219 interventions per month, 50 per week, and 7 per day, with the most common problems facing pet owners in South Los Angeles being referrals to low-cost spay / neuter (53%), cost of pet ownership (18%), and housing issues (11.4%). Humane euthanasia for senior pets (6.8%), behavioural issues (6.1%), and mange (1%) round out the list. The Surrender Prevention Program focuses exclusively on serving pet owners in South Los Angeles who fall within the Chesterfield Square service area.

This data reinforces the importance of promoting low-cost spay/neuter services, especially in South Los Angeles, as it not only supports the health of the pet and prevents unwanted litters, but can also impact the number of pets entering shelters.

"We are so proud of what the Surrender Prevention has accomplished in one year and look forward to working closely with our friends at Downtown Dog Rescue to keep pets happy, safe, and in their homes, where they belong," said Aimee Gilbreath, Executive Director of Found Animals. "While we are thrilled to have far exceeded our original goal, the success of the program demonstrates that many pet owners who are considering surrendering their pet often just need a helping hand."

"What we have seen is that access to basic information, support and planning is often all that is needed to keep families and pets together," said Lori Weise, founder of Downtown Dog Rescue. "The Surrender Prevention Program is providing a critical resource for families in South Los Angeles who desperately want to keep their pet, but often lack access to the resources that can help them. We are making a huge difference thanks to the support of Found Animals."

To celebrate the program's anniversary, Found Animals and Downtown Dog Rescue will host a celebration of the anniversary on April 26, 2014 at 11:00am in the event room at the Chesterfield Square Shelter in South Los Angeles. Guests are asked to bring a donation of wet or dry dog food to donate to Downtown Dog Rescue.

For more information on Found Animals, please visit http://www.FoundAnimals.org.
For more information on Downtown Dog Rescue, please visit http://www.downtowndogrescue.org

About Michelson Found Animals
Found Animals is an independently funded nonprofit that works to achieve one goal: find the big ideas that help reduce the number of pets euthanized in shelters each year. Led by business and medical professionals, we develop innovative solutions that address the underlying causes of shelter euthanasia. Programs address pet adoption, low-cost spay neuter services, pet microchipping and registration, and sterilization research. By offering a wealth of educational resources to pet owners and animal care professionals, Found Animals advances the health and safety of animals everywhere. Support for Found Animals and its initiatives come from the generous contributions of Dr. Gary Michelson and Alya Michelson. Follow our progress online at http://www.FoundAnimals.org, or via social media at Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

For more information on the Michelson Prize & Grants: http://www.michelsonprizeandgrants.org.
For more information on Found Animals Registry: http://www.found.org
For more information on Found Animals Adopt & Shop: http://www.adoptandshop.org

About Downtown Dog Rescue
Downtown Dog Rescue is an all volunteer animal charity that rescues and adopts dogs and assists underserved communities, focusing on South East Los Angeles, Watts and Compton. We offer free services such as spay/neuter, vaccines and basic medical care for dog owners who want to keep their dogs out of a shelter. For more information, please visit http://www.downtowndogrescue.org