PALS provides pet care to ‘help a friend keep a friend’


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PALS Atlanta
2115 Liddell Drive NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
404-876-PALS
www.palsatlanta.org 

His love for his own pets helps motivate Bryant to fulfill PALS’ mission. The 22-year-old organization, whose motto is “help a friend keep a friend,” was founded to help people with HIV care for their pets. As HIV became a more manageable health condition for many, the organization expanded its client base to include those with other illnesses, disabilities and the elderly. Clients can’t earn more than $25,000 per year to qualify.

PALS currently has approximately 500 animals in the program, all dogs and cats. The organization requires that a new client have the pet for more than two years to qualify for service. A client can have no more than two pets per household. In the case that a pet does pass away, the owner is allowed to get a new one, but he or she has to adopt an adult pet.

The care includes free food and free basic veterinary care, sponsored by the Atlanta Humane Society and the Veterinary Center of Buckhead.

Many of the clients have been with the program since the beginning, and approximately 75 percent are LGBT people, Bryant says. New client requests come directly to him.

According to Bryant, PALS receives money from private donations and events. A grant the organization used to receive is no longer funded and he’s had to scramble to replace that money.

“This year has been tough, but we have managed to continue our mission,” he says. “The community has really rallied behind us.”

The organization’s signature fundraiser is PALS Bingo, hosted by Bubba D. Licious and held the second Wednesday of every month, now at Jungle Atlanta. Bryant says the event raises some needed cash but the real advantage is the exposure it provides to the organization.

Each month brings new patrons and it’s not just LGBT people — Bryant says heterosexual allies have become fond of the event. PALS also benefits financially from the Pet Cotillion, held every year by Piedmont Bark.

One of the clients using PALS is Daphany Dubois. She is disabled and was referred by a friend, after having to take one of her dogs to the Humane Society after he got sick.

Dubois is very grateful to PALS and admits she probably would not have been able to keep her “boys” — dogs Hampton and Goliath — if it had not been for the nonprofit.

“They are my family,” she says.

Because PALS had been so good to her, she likes to volunteer her time back to the organization.

Currently, Bryant is the only PALS staff member. The organization has nine board members and approximately 350 volunteers and is always looking for donations and extra volunteers.

 

Top photo: PALS Atlanta is known for its monthly Bingo fundraisers, which it advertises on its float for the Atlanta Pride Parade. The next event is set for Aug. 14 with a disco theme. (Photo by Brent Corcoran / RNZ Photography)