When the AABY Foundation was established by Kay Pass in New Caney in 2004, one of the nonprofit’s missions was to help seniors provide veterinary care for their animals, said Kerri Larson, the foundation’s medical coordinator.
Several years and thousands of vaccinations later, Larson said the nonprofit has expanded to help anyone in need of its 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 of distemper and parvo,” Larson said, noting many pet owners in the area 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.
“Puppies, in order to be protected, need four vaccines ... 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.
Larson said rabies and Bordetella vaccines at the event typically cost between $10 and $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 neuter services offered through partnerships with other area nonprofits.
How to help
Larson added the foundation is reliant on volunteers and donations. 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.
While Larson conceded the work the foundation does can be time-consuming and exhausting, she 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.”
