Stella’s Touch Matching Funds Challenge https://www.gofundme.com/stellastouch Paws-Ability is being challenged by a secret donor to match every dollar collected for our new Stella's Touch Program. Match is on NOW and until October 1st - please help us get to the $20K goal. Paws-Ability, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization raises funds to assist local animal rescue groups and advance programs that improve animal welfare. Their Stella’s Touch program began in June 2017, designed to work with pets of owners who are experiencing physical or financial hardship. These pets need veterinary care or routine day-to-day care that the owner simply cannot afford or perform. As a result, they are often forced to surrender them to a shelter or rescue group with the hope that they can be treated or rehomed. The program’s objective is to keep pets with their owners and support the animal-human bond. Stella’s Touch was made possible with a donation from a family who wanted to make a difference in our community. They chose to name the program to honor their aging schnauzer, Stella. This family recognized the importance of Stella in their lives and could not imagine a family’s pain when watching a pet suffer during a time of family crisis. Every dollar donated by October 1 to this Program will be matched by the original benefactor 100% !! A $5.00 donation will become $10, which will go a long way to help pets back to health and remain at home with their owner. All donations are tax-deductible, and, as such, you will receive a receipt. To date, Stella has ‘touched’ 30 pets and owners by assisting with their care. The Program has, for instance, funded heartworm treatment for a rescued pit bull, various surgeries including leg amputations, and treated gum disease and tooth extractions. One case involved a family and pet both going through difficult medical challenges. The pet owner and mother of two was undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. Their small dog was important to the family. When taken to the vet because he wasn’t eating, the family learned that the dog had dental disease, the pain of which prevented it from eating. A church parishioner referred them to Stella’s Touch. One child, in particular, was very attached to the dog, using it for emotional support as his mother was undergoing treatments. He sent a personal Thank You to the Program that touched both ours and our benefactor’s heartstrings. Our current funds for this program will soon be depleted, and we will be unable to assist other pets and owners needing our help. We’re asking you to help us meet our challenge to raise $20,000 so we can continue with this important and needed program: whatever funds raised will be matched 100% by the original benefactor! Funds above our goal will be donated to the Stella’s Touch program, but not matched. Thank you so much for your support and generous help.