What is TLC?
Although our “TLC” stands for The Last Chance Fund and “tender loving care,” because that is what we strive to offer for animals who may not get any care at all without the fund. The Pennsylvania Veterinary Foundation (PVF) established our “The Last Chance Fund” (TLC) in 2009 to help ensure a source of funding for the care of abused or neglected, unowned companion animals that might otherwise be euthanized or turned over to an animal shelter that is already overburdened. We see the TLC Fund as a true partnership between veterinary practices, their clients, other pet owners, and the animal loving public that will result in the emergency care and necessary treatment of animals who might not get the proper care without this fund. Veterinarians are, by nature, generous and warm-hearted individuals who care about animals and their health and welfare. They take an oath to protect animal health and relieve animal suffering. However, the cost of running a veterinary practice and the associated equipment, medications, and the staff needed to care for the animals results in limited ability to fulfill the need for free and discounted animal care under every circumstance. That’s where the TLC Fund comes in. PVF understands that veterinarians want to help and we want to make it more economically feasible to do just that. How Are We Funded? Funding for the TLC Fund is generated primarily through generous donations from pet owners and animal lovers. We encourage veterinarians to promote the TLC Fund in their practices to clients; in fact, it is a prerequisite for participation in the program. Each donation received for the TLC fund will go to the direct care of abused, neglected, and stray companion animals. TLC Pilot Study TLC will be conducting a pilot study of participating practices from June 30-December 30, 2010. A veterinary practice wishing to participate in the TLC program and, therefore, be eligible for reimbursement of services provided to unowned companion animals in need of significant medical care, must: - Actively promote the program to its clientele through distribution of brochures and information on how to donate; - Must have at least one veterinarian on staff who is a member of the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association; and - Must complete a participation application which outlines contact information, veterinarians on staff, and marketing plans for distribution of materials and promotion of the Fund. Once approved as a participating practice, we will send you a welcome kit which will include brochures, promotional materials, and a decal for your window or door which indicates you are a participating TLC Fund practice. The pilot study will run from June 30-December 30, 2010. To review the full participating practice brochure, click here. If you would like to become a participating practice for the pilot study, please email Charlene Wandzilak at cwandzilak@pavma.org.