(Lander, WY) – The Lander Pet Connection (LPC) is honoring one of the largest gifts in its history by establishing a dedicated medical fund in honor of Claudia Pearson, who passed away last November. Claudia gave a substantial part of her retirement fund to the animal rescue and the impact on animal lives has been profound.
“We have had a historic summer and in only three months were able to help 132 animals,” said Marta Casey, Executive Director. “In the past, the Pet Connection has taken in 200 to 300 animals annually – this year, with Claudia’s gift, we are able to save many more lives. We want to honor her impact and establish a special fund for gifts that will go specifically to help medical cases.”
One of the first cases that Claudia’s Fund helped was Hot Toddy, a special needs husky puppy. A woman called LPC for help when a stray dog had puppies under her porch – she fed the mother dog and watched the puppies and noticed one was flopping and not walking.
With the help of Claudia’s Fund, the Pet Connection immediately took Hot Toddy to a veterinarian for tests. He was put on steroids and a staff member fostered him, and now Hot Toddy is sitting up and walking with the help of a sling.
“Hot Toddy’s only option in the past would have been to be transported to another facility,” said Casey. “Now the Pet Connection is able to expand lifesaving for the neediest of animals; this is a sacred part of our job, and we are so happy to honor Claudia’s life in this way.”
Claudia herself had horses and dogs – she also adopted barn cats from the Pet Connection. Her long-time friend Maryann Pryor said that Claudia had originally thought of donating her retirement fund to an international organization but then realized that the impact locally would be much deeper.
“She was very excited about this gift and wanted to give where her money would make a bigger difference,” said Pryor. “She was a lifelong animal lover.”
Gifts in honor of loved ones or to help medical cases through Claudia’s Fund can be given online at landerpets.org/memorials or by check with a note specifying the donation.
“We are now a destination shelter for adopters and lifesaving rescue with a growing reach,” said Casey. “We are building a hub in southwest Wyoming – when people think of Lander, it will not be of transporting animals away to help them but of saving their lives here — we are even helping other shelters. Claudia’s Fund will help us catalyze this change. Her gift’s lifesaving impact has been immediate”
About the Lander Pet Connection:
Established by Sydney Miller in 1996, the Lander Pet Connection serves the greater Fremont County area, reuniting lost pets with owners, rescuing wounded and abandoned animals, and finding innovative ways to support pets and people. As an independent nonprofit, LPC relies on the incredible support of the community to continue its mission. To learn more about the Lander Pet Connection, visit landerpets.org and follow LPC at facebook.com/LanderPetConnection and on Instagram: @landerpetconnection.