YORK COUNTY, Pa. — A family- and pet-friendly event this weekend will help York County pet parents afford emergency veterinary care.
Margie Mattis started Zoey’s Fund and Zoey's Fun Run and 1 Mile Dog Walk over 10 years ago when her Shih-tzu developed a rare form of nasal cancer. Her best option was palliative care, which can quickly get expensive—like many other veterinary services. Mattis turned her heartbreak into hope for other pet parents to keep their furry friends as long as possible.
Zoey was a patient at Shiloh Veterinary Hospital, where she and Mattias met business administrator Mike Warren. As someone who sees the need firsthand, he was on board with the mission behind Zoey's Fund immediately.
"There's a lot of [financial help] for rescues, there's a lot of things for breed-specific pets, but there's really not much of anything for pets who are owned," Mike Warren, business administrator with Shiloh Veterinary Hospital, said.
Zoey's Fun Run takes place on the first Sunday in October each year to raise money for the Fund. There will be vendors, a blessing of the pets, a memorial bubble release for all the pets that have crossed the rainbow bridge, a dog peanut butter licking contest, pictures with your pet and a pet costume contest.
"They're the star of the show," Mattis said.
To access funding, veterinarians must make a request on behalf of the client and patient to receive assistance from Zoey's Fund by filling out a short form. Owners must meet the following criteria:
- Pet owners in York County
- Owners must be up to date with their pet veterinary care
- Funds are prioritized for emergency and critical care
- There needs to be a prognosis for a full recovery or reasonable quality of life
- One request per household
"We all know someone who has come on tough times," Mattis said. "And when it comes between paying a vet bill, feeding your family, paying a utility bill, it's tough, and people have tough choices to make. So that's where Zoey's Fund comes in. For those families and those pets, Zoey's Fund is an angel to a pet who desperately needs one."
Zoey’s Fun Run and 1 Mile Dog Walk will take place rain or shine on Sunday, Oct. 6 at John Rudy Park, located at 400 Mundis Race Road in York at 10 a.m. Participants can register online or in person for the 5k Fun Run or 1 Mile Dog Walk. More information is available on Facebook.
Those who can't attend the event but would still like to help out can contact the organization at ZoeysRun@gmail.com for information about donating and volunteering.