A DoveLewis experience is not only emotional, it can be very expensive.

The donor–supported Velvet Financial Assistance Fund reaches out to qualified low–income clients to help ease their burden, cushion their pain.

Many of us save money for a rainy day or an unforeseen emergency. But according to the Economic Policy Institute, indebtedness in U.S. households has risen 36% in the last four years. The Census Bureau reports almost 13% of Americans live in poverty. For some pet owners, a visit to DoveLewis poses a threat to their finances, which adds to their emotional strain.

DoveLewis is proud to offer financial assistance to qualifying low–income clients to help cover the cost of medical treatment in an emergency. As you might imagine, the demand on this donor–funded program is enormous.

The Velvet Financial Assistance Fund has fewer donors yet gives out more money more often to local families than any other DoveLewis program. No one else in the region helps people with their pets’ medical bills more than DoveLewis.

The Velvet Fund was named this year after a dog who showed remarkable loyalty, bravery, and intelligence. Stranded with her human climbing partners on Mt. Hood during a February 2007 storm, Velvet took turns cuddling with each of her companions, keeping them alert and warm, lifting their spirits, and making the wait for rescuers that much more tolerable.

A donor who gave a generous gift to the assistance fund asked that we name the fund after Velvet. We are honored to immortalize Velvet’s bravery, as well as our donor’s generosity. The Velvet Financial Assistance Fund will help many DoveLewis clients through one of their toughest experiences, just as Velvet helped her fellow climbers through one of theirs.