R.O.A.R. Fund - Reach.Out.Act.Respond.

Dear R.O.A.R. Supporters,

Now one-fourth of the way through the year we are already working at a running pace, implementing new projects and continuing with current initiatives. As you’re aware, the R.O.A.R. Fund provides financial support to our R.O.A.R. charities and to helping animals in need.  This year, for the first time, we used Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to remind and encourage our fans to purchase R.O.A.R. branded pet and consumer items to help the R.O.A.R. Fund, since proceeds of those sales goes into the R.O.A.R. Fund. We did this by sending an e-blast to our Animal Planet subscribers with the message to show their pets love by giving them a Valentine’s Day gift!

In addition to helping build the R.O.A.R. Fund for this year, our partners are busy helping animals in other ways.  Below are just some of the updates from our R.OA.R. partners, thanks in large part to the support we continue to receive from you!  

Since our last update:

• The EQUUS Foundation partnered with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) to establish the Horse Stars Hall of Fame.  62 horses were inducted into the virtual Hall of Fame in March 2013.  Betsy, one of the 62, had such a profound influence on the life of an autistic child named Rowan that the boy’s family created a documentary film about their family’s journey called The Horse Boy.

• The Jane Goodall Institute has helped rehabilitate DouDou, a 5-year-old chimpanzee they found chained to a car.  Based on his condition, the caregivers believe he was left shackled to the car for almost three years before they found him. He is already showing far more confidence and playing with other chimps.

• Thanks to National Wildlife Federation’s Wildlife Conflict Resolution project, the bison of Yosemite National Park have safe havens when they migrate south in the winter – as opposed to the alternatives they used to face such as being killed, placed in pens, or herded back into the park with helicopters and snowmobiles.

• After the recent deadly explosion at a fertilizer plant in West, TX, the Petfinder Foundation gave a disaster grant to the Humane Society of Central Texas to help it cope with the influx of pets separated from their owners in the explosion, which leveled an entire five-block area.

• Villalobos Rescue Center continues to provide spay and neuter services for pit bulls in Louisiana.  They have a consistent flow of requests for such veterinary services, as well as request for help owners of multiple litters who can’t take care of the puppies themselves.

Thank you,
The R.O.A.R. team

Dear R.O.A.R. Supporters,

With January already mostly past, we at the R.O.A.R. Fund have been reflecting on 2012 and all of the ways we are grateful for your support.  If you’ve been thinking back over the past year as well, remember all that you’ve done to support the R.O.A.R. Fund and add these accomplishments to your list:

Because of your continued support:

• Motambo (the chimpanzee pictured here) was saved from infection and malnourishment by the Jane Goodall Institute.
• The National Wildlife Federation was able to negotiate grazing agreements that have protected more than 600,000 acres surrounding Yellowstone National Park and the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge; acres that will provide the backbone for a larger bison restoration project.
• More than 81 dogs displaced by Hurricane Isaac were fed, cared for, and either returned to their owners or kept at Villalobos Rescue Center in New Orleans.
• The American Humane Association’s Red Star™ Animal Emergency Services team mobilized to rescue and shelter some of the estimated 30 million pets affected by Hurricane Sandy.
• Petfinder Foundation sent numerous animal shelters and rescue organizations hit by Hurricane Sandy crates, bedding, food, and blankets to replace all they lost and replenish their stores.
• 50 volunteers traveled to Chengdu, Sichuan, China, with Earthwatch Institute, where they were able to assist with vital panda research.
• EQUUS Foundation provided grants to charitable organizations, such as the Hoofbeats Therapeutic Riding Center in Lexington, VA, so children like Eliza (pictured here) can learn to ride and even compete in equestrian events.

 
Thank you for all that you’ve done through your contributions in 2012!  Here’s to a 2013 full of continued great work from our R.O.A.R. partners and many more happy and healthy animals.