Happy Tails Fund created for injured or sick animals

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - The Greater Grand Island Community Foundation (GGICF) has partnered with Voices for Companion Animals (VCA) to create a new fund for injured or sick animals.

The Happy Tails Fund, held at the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation, has been established to assist pet owners with financial needs with surgeries for their companion animals.

The Happy Tails Fund was started by an anonymous donor who designated $25,000 for VCA to form a fund at the Foundation specifically to assist with animal surgeries. GGICF was able to work with VCA’s Robyn Mays in creating the guidelines and distribution process for these funds.

“Voice for Companion Animals is so grateful to be able to work with the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation to make Happy Tails a reality,” said Mays. “It has always been our mission to help keep pets in their home, and this new program fits right in with who we are in the community.”

In addition to the dollars donated to create the fund, the anonymous donor also gifted VCA another $25,000 in unrestricted dollars to help the organization in any way they deem fit.

“The creation of the Happy Tails Fund and subsequent gift to Voices for Companion Animals is a perfect example of the powerful vehicle a community foundation is for the legacies of our community members,” says Melissa DeLaet, GGICF’s Chief Executive Officer. “This particular individual and her husband had always wanted to establish an assistance fund for local pets, and she was able to turn that passion into purpose as their legacy. We are grateful to have a small role in making that happen.”

VCA will administer Happy Tails, and they will review all applications.

To learn more about the Happy Tails fund or Voices for Companion Animals, visit voiceforcompanionanimals.com or call them at (402) 527-8228. If you wish to donate to the Happy Tails fund, contact the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation at gicf.org or (308) 381-7767.