When the AABY Foundation was initially established by Kay Pass in New Caney in 2004, one of the nonprofit’s missions was to help seniors provide veterinary services for their animals, said Kerri Larson, the foundation’s medical coordinator.
Several years and thousands of vaccinations later, Larson said the nonprofit has expanded from just helping seniors to helping anyone in need of their services.
The details
Larson said the need for the foundation partially stemmed from low vaccination rates for pets across East Montgomery County.
“We were seeing increased rates with distemper and parvo,” Larson said, noting many pet owners in the area simply couldn’t afford to provide their pets with the vaccines needed to keep them healthy.
Additionally, Larson said many community members were unaware of how many vaccines were actually needed for their pets.
“Education was an issue as well because some people don't understand that puppies, in order to be protected, really need four vaccines per year before they're a year old,” Larson said.
A closer look
To help combat the issue, the foundation hosts low-cost vaccination clinics that are open to the public on the first Sunday of June and December every year at Bull Salas Park in New Caney.
“We are open to whoever wants to come,” Larson said. “We do not have restrictions.”
Larson said rabies and Bordetella vaccines at the event typically cost between $10-$12, with the remaining vaccines offered free of charge. While microchipping typically costs $20 at the clinics, organizers said they are working toward being able to offer that service for free as well.
To obtain the services, Larson said individuals simply need to show up to the clinic with their animals and their cash. From there, event organizers will guide them through the rest of the process.
While at the clinic, Larson said participants can sign up to receive information on free or low-cost spay and neutering services offered through partnerships with other area nonprofits.
“There are a lot of options right now for spay and neuter, so there's really no excuse not to spay and neuter your dogs and cats,” Larson said.
How to help
Larson added that the clinics are reliant on volunteers to help ensure they run smoothly. Lidia Martinez, co-founder of animal rescue nonprofit Alaska’s Hope, said volunteering with the foundation has brought a lot of joy into her life.
“You go home and you feel like you accomplished something,” Martinez said.
In addition to volunteers, Larson said monetary donations are always welcome at the foundation.
“It costs $5,000 per event ... so we could use some help with fundraising or donations to make it happen and to keep it going,” Larson said.
Also of note
The nonprofit also operates the AABY Thrift Shop, with proceeds taken in directly benefiting the foundation’s biannual clinics. Larson said the foundation also travels to homeless camps to help unhoused individuals care for their animals.
While she conceded the work the foundation completes can be time-consuming and exhausting, Larson said everything is worth it when they’re able to help people care for their animals.
“Sometimes doing things for free is a gift that gives back,” Larson said. “For me, giving back to my community is just part of life.”
