Sometimes it takes a village to place a pet

KAT

This month's hospice story comes from one of our hospice partners in Ohio, Hospice & Palliative Care of Greater Wayne County. Elisa Stoyle, PPOM Coordinator, shared KAT's story with us.
   "For some patients, the intensity and rapid onset of their symptoms makes it impossible to care for anyone but themselves anymore. One of our patients found themselves in this situation. Breathing, eating and sleeping were all they could manage due to the rapid progression of their disease process in a very short time. This meant that their beloved cat needed to be placed in a new home as soon as possible. The job fell to us and the Pet Peace of Mind program to find KAT a home.
   Pet Peace of Mind is relatively new at our hospice. It has taken some time to get the program implemented and established so we can provide the best care possible for our patients' pets. Although we felt unprepared for this urgent request, we decided we could help KAT and our patient. With the help of a Pet Peace of Mind volunteer, we researched possible places in our community that could help us find a suitable home for KAT. We began advertising our need with the following information, sending it with pictures to local rescue agencies and veterinarians. 'KAT is four years old. He is a friendly and outgoing cat that is comfortable inside and outside. Because he is so flexible, he doesn't have any special needs--he just needs to be loved so he can love you back.'
   Our response was greater than we imagined. Many agencies were interested in helping out our hospice. In the end, we placed KAT with the first one willing to take him home as soon as possible. Now KAT is living it up with three other cats. The patient has the relief of knowing that KAT is loved and being cared for.
   There were other benefits that came from our search for a home for KAT. Pet Peace of Mind was able to make further inroads into our community. Not only are we in contact with many people willing to help us place pets, but we have developed a relationship with two other veterinary hospitals. One has offered to donate any expenses beyond routine services to our program, the other a mobile veterinarian that is willing to make housecalls.
   The joy felt by the Pet Peace of Mind volunteer that delivered KAT to his new home and the social worker who initiated the request, the volunteer office that made this happen--its all been great. There is a real sense of knowing we provided a much needed service to a patient that could not have accomplished it on his own. Thank you, PPOM."
Thank you, Elisa! Thanks to the efforts of your hospice team and volunteers, KAT has a new home. We have found that our hospice partners find placing pets to be some of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of Pet Peace of Mind, but in the vast majority of cases, they don't have to do it alone. Community organizations and individuals from communities all over the country want to help foster or provide a forever home for a pet. Thank you to everyone who helps make this possible.