ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Pets complete the picture for many families in the area. So, when a medical emergency happens, the heartbreak and financial strain can feel just as heavy as if it were any other member of the household.

One local nonprofit organization, Paws for a Purpose, understands the hardships that come with unexpected veterinary visits and bills. Its mission is to help owners cover the cost of life-saving treatments and surgeries when their pets face medical emergencies.

Funds go only toward emergencies, not routine care, to keep families from having to give up their pets when treatment is unaffordable. The nonprofit organization also provides medical and dental care for shelter animals to help them find forever homes and prioritizes assisting homeless and veteran residents with urgent pet medical needs.

The inspiration behind Paws for a Purpose?

A tiny Shih Tzu mix named Precious. Founders June and Arnie LaVine created the nonprofit organization after adopting Precious in 2018. She was an 8- to 10-year-old rescue, found by city animal services, that had a large mass on her mouth.

Treatment for what turned out to be an aggressive cancer cost thousands of dollars, leaving the LaVines heartbroken and convinced they would lose her within months. After a persistent search for help, they found a veterinarian who recommended a more affordable treatment and were “fortunate enough to be able to carry the cost.”

Precious beat cancer after four treatments and lived comfortably until her passing in September 2022.

“During that process, we said to each other, ‘You know what? We’re not the only ones going through this,’” June LaVine said. “Emergency pet care is highly expensive.”

 

Here is Precious, the rescue dog that inspired locals June and Arnie LaVine to start a nonprofit to help owners cover the cost of life-saving treatments and surgeries when their pets face medical emergencies. Courtesy photo

The couple are long-time residents, having lived in Elk Grove since 1981. June LaVine has been active in local animal welfare since 2008, volunteering at the Sacramento SPCA back when Elk Grove had no shelter of its own and contracted with the SPCA shelter for animal services.

By 2012, she recognized the urgent need for a local facility. June LaVine told The Elk Grove Citizen that once the SPCA filled up, animals were sent to the overcrowded Bradshaw Animal Shelter, where she later learned some were being euthanized to make space despite the city’s contract prohibiting it.

For years, June LaVine pushed city and district leaders to approve a shelter by gathering signatures and contacting officials. By 2016, the Elk Grove City Council approved construction of a shelter, which opened in 2019.

The LaVines founded Friends of the Elk Grove Animal Shelter in 2016 to support the new facility. After the shelter was established and funded by the city, they launched Paws for a Purpose in 2018 to focus on emergency veterinary assistance.

To date, June LaVine estimates the nonprofit organization has helped about 400 animals, including rabbits, dogs, cats, a horse and a turtle.

The nonprofit initially gained momentum with fundraising events, but LaVine said the COVID-19 pandemic stalled further growth. She said donations have since declined, leaving them with limited funds to help pet owners.

While the nonprofit receives some grants, the funding is restricted to Elk Grove residents, according to June LaVine. That leaves out nearby areas such as South Sacramento, where she said many low-income families also need help.

“You couldn’t even pass Calvine Road because that’s not considered the city,” she said.

Requests for assistance can be submitted online but there have been a few individuals who took advantage of the nonprofit’s generosity.

“All we think about is the animal. We have to be very careful that people are taking advantage of us. And they have but we sit there and it’s like but if we don’t, that dog will die,” said June LaVine.

Rising veterinary costs also pose a challenge to the nonprofit organization. When she first started the nonprofit, June LaVine said, she reached out to local veterinarians for support but only two responded: Stonelake Animal Hospital and Petlove Veterinary Hospital. She is grateful for their cooperation but hoped more would join.

Dr. Shivinder Singh Saini of Petlove Veterinary Hospital partners closely with Paws for a Purpose. He often helps the nonprofit by treating its emergency cases the same day and offers them discounts.

“Since I was in veterinary school, I have had the tendency to help every sick dog or cat,” he said. “So whenever June calls us, I can’t say no to her.”

When asked why other vets or animal hospitals in the area might be hesitant to partner with Paws for a Purpose, Saini said it depends on their views and whether they want to make money from those cases. For Saini, helping the cause comes as second nature, and he helps sick animals, regardless of the money involved.

“Money can come and go; that’s not a problem,” Saini said.

 

Pictured is Arnie LaVine with rescue dog Precious. Courtesy photo

Over the years, Paws for a Purpose has aided animals whose stories made headlines. Croozer, a blind rescue dog, was featured on “Good Day Sacramento” and inspired a children’s book. Libby, an Italian greyhound missing her front legs, was featured on CBS-13 last year after the nonprofit had a fundraiser for a canine wheelchair. She was later adopted by the reporter, Marlee Ginter, who covered the story.

Despite such successes and being featured on local news outlets, June LaVine said that donations have continued to drop and mentioned that their most recent fundraiser in April was canceled due to low ticket sales.

“It’s not like we plan that a dog is going to need us a month from now,” she said. “When you’re talking several thousand dollars, you can’t just go into your pocket and pull out $5,000 or $8,000. You need help with it.”

Still, she and Arnie LaVine remain committed to their mission.

“They heal your heart, that’s what I always say,” June LaVine said. “Just when we think we’re going to give up, we don’t.”

Readers can read the several success stories from Paws for a Purpose, Friends of the Elk Grove Animal Shelter, and learn about ways on how to help by visiting pawsforapurpose.net.