Matching Gift Now Live to Support Medical Care for Homeless Pets

Six years ago, Sherman and his siblings arrived at Pope Memorial Humane Society after being pulled literally from the flames of a brush fire. Singed whiskers, burned ears, and smoke inhalation meant this litter of four needed immediate medical care. All four kittens survived. Today, they’re grown and thriving in their adopted homes.

So why start here?

Because Sherman’s story didn’t end with his adoption. It’s the reason the Sherman Medical Fund exists, and why, starting now, we’re asking for your help.

We’re excited to share that our $75,000 matching gift campaign for the Sherman Medical Fund is officially live.

Animals come through our doors needing the basics. Food, a clean space, a safe place to land. And then there are the ones who need more. The truth is, most animals need both. Very few arrive fully ready for the adoption floor. Most need something, whether it’s vaccines, spay or neuter surgery, treatment for an injury or illness, or simply time to recover.

Barney is one of them. If you’ve visited recently, you’ve probably seen him holding court in the lobby like he owns the place. What you don’t see is the heart murmur that sent us to a specialist in Portland for answers.

Then there were the holiday puppies. Thirteen of them, all now home with their families. But their care doesn’t stop there. Each one will return to us for spay or neuter surgery when they’re old enough. Thirteen adoptions, and still thirteen surgeries ahead.

And then there’s Blade. He came to us with a wound no one could quite explain. That led to a state-mandated rabies quarantine and, ultimately, the loss of his back leg. Today, he’s healed and moving through the world on three legs, adjusting better than anyone could have hoped.

Right now, we’re also caring for kittens like Tiny Parrot, Raincloud, and Puddles. Tiny Parrot arrived alone at five weeks old with a bit of a wobble. Raincloud and Puddles came in even younger, fighting an upper respiratory infection. All are in foster care with staff, receiving round-the-clock attention. Their needs are still unfolding, but we know this much. Whatever they need, we’ll be ready to provide it.

That’s what the Sherman Medical Fund does. It covers the everyday care every animal needs, and it gives us the ability to say yes when things get more complicated. Diagnostics. Surgery. Follow-up care. Time.

This April, we have an opportunity to do even more.

Thanks to a generous matching gift from Martine Richard LaBrie and Dr. Henry LaBrie, every donation to the Sherman Medical Fund will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $75,000. If we meet this match, that’s $150,000 dedicated to the medical care of homeless pets in our community.

Because the truth is, we never really know who will come through our doors next or what they’ll need when they get here. What we do know is this. We will be ready.

This is the part you don’t always see. The exam that catches something early. The surgery that changes the outcome. The follow-up care that gives an animal the time they need.

Your support makes all of that possible.

If you’re able to give, your donation will go twice as far right now. If not, we understand. Sharing this story helps too.

However you choose to be part of it, you’re helping make sure the next animal who walks through our doors gets the care they need, whatever that may be.