Old dogs have something to wag about this year.
The Grey Muzzle Organization recently announced the recipients of its annual grants, and dogs at Rainbow Friends Animal Sanctuary are among the winners.
Rainbow Friends in Kurtistown is one of 62 animal welfare groups chosen from 240 applicants to receive a grant to help local senior dogs. The groups received a total of nearly $419,000 to help save or improve the lives of at-risk old dogs in communities nationwide.
“This grant will help us give senior dogs like 12-year-old Gina the veterinary and dental care she needs so she’ll be ready to go to her forever home,” said Kathy Buono of Rainbow Friends. “No one is more grateful or loving than an old dog, and we’re looking forward to helping more senior dogs get the second chance they all deserve.”
In the past 11 years, the nonprofit Grey Muzzle Organization has provided almost $2 million in grants to support its vision of “a world where no old dog dies alone and afraid.”
“Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we’re delighted to help deserving organizations like Rainbow Friends make a difference in the lives of dogs and people in their communities,” said Grey Muzzle Organization Executive Director Lisa Lunghofer. “Many senior dogs on the east side of Hawaii Island are enjoying their golden years in loving homes thanks to the wonderful work of Rainbow Friends.”
Rainbow Friends Animal Sanctuary is a no-kill sanctuary formed in 1999 to assist Hawaii County residents in alleviating the animal abandonment and overpopulation issues facing the island, as well as promoting the social, emotional and health benefits of animal companionship. The sanctuary houses approximately 400 cats and 65 dogs.
The national nonprofit The Grey Muzzle Organization improves the lives of at-risk senior dogs by providing funding and resources to animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries and other nonprofit groups nationwide. For details, visit www.greymuzzle.org.
For more information, visit www.rainbowfriends.org or call 982-5110.