Hope inspired a movement. The Saving Hope Foundation is one step closer to fulfilling its mission to eradicate animal abuse and neglect in Fort Worth with the June 29 launch of the Hope Mobile, a mobile spay and neutering clinic. This initiative will provide low-cost and free spaying, neutering and vaccinations, as well as, education on responsible pet ownership.
Approximately 200,000 dogs and cats are euthanized every year in DFW shelters. The Foundation, in partnership with the Fort Worth Pet Project, is working to lower that number to zero.
Some might argue that fate brought Hope to the Moncrief family ranch, where she was rescued. Kit Moncrief gave Hope a forever home and now serves on the Foundation's Board of Directors. She acknowledges that donations to local shelters often provide needed pet food, but they also contribute to the staggering number of animals euthanized each year.
"So many organizations are doing great things, but it's a big task. We're just trying to combine efforts to help end this crisis," said board member Kelsey Patterson. "We're all on the same team."
The medical treatments that the Hope Mobile provides are only one dimension of the solution. "Education is equally important. This mobile can educate on responsible pet ownership, while also doing tangible things, like spaying and neutering. These messages must be paired together to make a difference," she insisted.
When using the Hope Mobile's resources, pet owners can register their animals with the City. Registration is vital to reducing the number of homeless pets, especially through loss. Registered pets can easily be identified and returned home.
The Hope Mobile will direct its services to areas with high risk of strays and owner surrenders, including the 76105 and 76119 zip codes. Twice a month, the Hope Mobile will travel to these areas, treating an estimated 13,400 animals in a three-year period. Sterilization alleviates the pressure on local shelters that are forced to euthanize animals due to reproduction and overpopulation.
"We always joke that we hope by the end of these three years, we will be out of business and all the dogs will have a home," said Patterson with a laugh. "We realize this isn't realistic, but you have to start somewhere." – Kayla Mulliniks
