One organization’s devotion to helping animals has proven to be a little piece of luck for Central New York.
Shamrock Animal Fund is celebrating its third year of helping local animals by providing funding and low-cost options for those in need.
The fund was started by Fayetteville couple Jame Pomilio-Mulcahy and Matt Mulcahy, news anchor for CNY Central. Their dog, Shamrock, passed away after a battle with kidney failure on Jan. 9, 2010. His battle has played inspiration for the organization, which has helped more than five dozen animals since 2010.
“In the last year of his life, we spent a lot of time at the vet’s at Cornell University Veterinary Hospital,” Jamie said. “We spent a lot of time waiting. You’re not there if you don’t have a sick pet.”
She says a lot of pet owners are faced with a difficult decision when it comes to treatment for their pets, particularly if funds for costly procedures aren’t as accessible.
That’s where Shamrock Animal Fund comes in to help.
The fund provides a supplement to help pay for veterinary care should the pet owner meet a number of criteria. The owner should demonstrate financial limits and be willing to accept financial responsibility for the vet care. The vets have to play a part, too — they need to be willing to offer discounts or accept payment plans. Shamrock Animal Fund then makes the payment directly to the vet to assist in care.
“It’s very personal,” Jamie said. “It’s not that we raise money and gift it. There are conversations and several emails. We follow up to see if they’ve made progress.”
Shamrock Animal Fund is also providing information to pet owners about where they can get help for their pets.
“It’s almost like pet owner counseling,” Matt said. “There’s a certain social element to it.”
The fund has also helped more than 350 animals in previous Healthy Pet Clinics at St. Lucy’s Church. The low-cost clinics were a collaborative volunteer effort of the Central New York Animal Welfare Coalition, Cornell Shelter Medicine Program and local veterinarians. The Healthy Pet Clinics were created to help pets and their owners living in Syracuse’s near west and south side neighborhoods. More than 350 animals received vet exams, vaccinations and other treatment at the clinics.
The biggest fundraiser for the fund is coming up. Shamrock’s Celebration is used to augment the not-for-profit organization’s ability to provide veterinary care to local animals. This year the celebration will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 24, at King and King Architects, edge of Armory Square in Syracuse. The event will feature catering by Prime Steakhouse including a mashed potato bar, corned beef and turkey carving stations, wine and beer. Jazz musicians Grupo Pagan will entertain. The Shamrock Animal Fund will also honor outstanding CNY veterinarians.
For more information about Shamrock’s Celebration 2012 fundraiser, visit Shamrock Animal Fund online.
Additional reporting by Farah Jadran, editor of Syracuse Woman Magazine.
