Dogs Death Inspires New Non-Profit

Buddy Care Foundation

A Nashville-based, non-prot organization was recently launched, the Buddy Care Foundation, Inc., which will provide nancial assistance to dog owners who cant aord critical medical care for canine companions in need. The organization is named after our precious Buddy, who passed away in August at the age of 15, says founder Brian Mayes, a Nashville-based entertainment publicist. Buddy suered from a variety of health challenges throughout his life, including a serious heart condition and kidney issues, which led to ve kidney stone operations. Yet until the last week of his life, Buddy remained an active, loving member of the family, and his contribution to our lives was immeasurable. We were fortunate in that we were always able to aord and provide the necessary medical care, explains Mayes. But we also realize that most American families, especially

in todays economic climate, could not - leaving the family to decide between euthanasia or simply not providing adequate care. The goal of the Buddy Care Foundation is to help save the lives of loved and valued canine companions so that no family has to make a decision to end a life due to nancial hardship. Through this program, pet owners can apply for a Buddy Care Grant to help cover the costs of life-saving canine medical care. Grant requests will require the recommendation and cooperation of a licensed veterinarian, the complete diagnosis and recommended course of treatment, a positive prognosis, shared nancial responsibility, and nancial statements demonstrating hardship. For more information on the Buddy Care Foundation, please visit www.buddycare.org.

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