A First for Texas: Free Pets of All Ages for All Seniors

WellMed extends health benefits of companion pets at no cost to everyone 65+.

Provided courtesy of the OwnUp SA

Over a year ago, Mayor Phil Hardberger issued a challenge for the community to step up on behalf of the thousands of companion pets in San Antonio, vowing that we would become a No-Kill city by 2012. Today, WellMed Medical Group joins the OwnUp SA No-Kill initiative to take a definitive step in finding lifetime homes for pets through the WellMed free pet adoption program for seniors.

Understanding the important—and well-documented—health benefits that companion pets contribute to the lives of everyone, WellMed has expanded the range of their wellness services to the senior citizen community as they literally “OwnUp” to reimburse every participating shelter for every pet adopted by anyone aged 65 or better. With no limits placed on the number of adoptions or subsidy dollars, this program offers a tangible solution to reducing shelter pet populations and helping us reach No-Kill.

While creating a genuine “win-win” scenario for homeless pets and senior citizens, the program provides the opportunity to enhance the quality of life for both groups. Aside from the obvious emotional advantages to older members of the population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention pets have been proven to provide a range of benefits, such as:

► Seniors with dogs go to the doctor less, as pets offer preventative and therapeutic advantages against everyday stress.
► For people 65 – 78, dogs are a major source of conversations with passersby, since companion pets readily elicit friendly responses.
► Pet owners have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels.
► Pet owners have fewer minor health problems, lower medical costs, better psychological well-being and higher one-year survival rates following coronary heart disease.
► Pets promote social interaction, decreasing feelings of loneliness and isolation and increasing morale and optimism.
► Pets encourage playfulness, exercise and laughter.
► Pets satisfy the need to touch and be touched, giving nonjudgmental warmth and affection.

Long-time animal advocates Dr. George Rapier, III and his wife, Kym, decided to put the strength of their healthcare enterprises and the resources of the WellMed Charitable Foundation into an alliance with OwnUp SA to benefit both the senior citizens and homeless pets of San Antonio. Dr. Rapier, WellMed founder and chairman of the board elaborated, “WellMed has built our reputation and success on taking care of our community, and we’re dedicated to making sure that we provide the valuable companionship and health benefits of a pet to the members of the ‘golden generation.’ And, as caring medical professionals we can appreciate the importance of all life. In San Antonio we’ve ignored the fate of pets for too long.”

Putting action into words, WellMed stands to contribute considerable funds to this senior adoption program through the WellMed Charitable Foundation to make sure 2012 No-Kill becomes a reality. Currently, more than 188,000 senior citizens, 20% of which are served by WellMed Medical Group, live in the greater San Antonio area and are eligible for this free pet program. And, should every one of these residents choose to participate, the gift from WellMed’s charitable foundation could easily range into the millions.

“Adoptions are critical to this effort. The more homes we can find, the more (pets) we save from the death chamber. The thousands of homeless dogs and cats on San Antonio’s streets leads to over 30,000 pets losing their lives every year…the more we target adoptions, the more lives we can save,” said Ron Aaron, Executive Director of the Animal Defense League.

Launched as a cooperative initiative, OwnUp SA seeks to rally the support of corporate partners, solicit the involvement of nonprofit organizations and engage the participation of the community to ensure that San Antonio reaches its No-Kill 2012 goal.

Each time a nonprofit shelter or rescue group reaches its maximum capacity, a homeless pet is left with only one destination: a government shelter that does not have the luxury of refusal. With an annual adoption rate of only 12 percent, the number of homeless pets continues to grow with each passing day.

Housing these abandoned dogs and cats would require over one million square feet annually, amounting to more space than the footprint of the Alamodome. Thus, OwnUp SA has employed a community initiative focused on long-term solutions.

In celebration of the joy that those in their golden years bring to their friends and family, WellMed kicks off this campaign with a “Pets & Parfaits” event on National Strawberry Parfait Day. While OwnUp SA volunteers serve strawberry parfaits to members of the Madison Estates community, representatives from San Antonio Animal Care Services and the Animal Defense League showcase a selection of dogs, cats, puppies and kittens to the active-adult residents.

“To have someone grasp the scope of the situation we face and then make a commitment to actually do something positive to promote adoptions in our city represents a significant step forward in reaching our No-Kill 2012 goal. Animal Care Services is proud to partner with WellMed to ensure a more healthy community for our residents and our companion pets!” said ACS Executive Director Jef Hale.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Help San Antonio obtain its goal of becoming a no-kill community by 2012. You can be a part of this effort by:
• Spaying or neutering your current pets.
• Adopting your next pet, instead of purchasing from a store or breeder.
• Getting involved by volunteering, fostering, reporting animal cruelty, and financially supporting the no-kill movement in San Antonio.

For more information:
• We can put a price on love: FREE!
• OwnUp SA

Posted by Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends Network
Photo credit: taken by Jennifer Hayes..