HELPING THE INVISIBLE DOGS<br /> IN TOWN POUNDS
HELPING THE INVISIBLE DOGS
IN TOWN POUNDS

ACO Resources

QUICKFORMS




How PoundHounds Helps You Help Dogs in Town Pounds

Our goal is to support and empower ACOs to improve the standard of care and visibility for abandoned and abused dogs in their communities in order to increase the chances for adoption for dogs in town pounds. We do this in a variety of ways but our three core programs are:

Spay/Neuter Program

After completing the registration form and being accepted into the PAC (PoundHounds ACO Collaboration) Program, you will be eligible to bring your dogs to a vet of your choosing for spay/neuter and associated services. Funding from this program does not require pre-approval with the understanding that only the following services are covered:

  • spay or neuter surgery including, if necessary, pain medication, antibiotics, and e-collars related to the surgery but please ask the vet to itemize these on the bill
  • cryptorchid, please indicate on the Spay/Neuter Form
  • vaccinations (but not lyme vaccinations)
  • heartworm check
  • fecal worm check
  • exam fee but please ask if your veterinarian will waive the exam charge, as many veterinarians do

Please download the form for more information. A few things to keep in mind:

  • This form must be completed and returned to PoundsHounds (via fax, mail, or email) by the ACO within 5 days of the vet visit.
  • Spay/neuter funds will be used exclusively for pound dogs (no dogs belonging to private owners, relatives or friends are permitted). Please consult PoundHounds if you have a privately-owned unspayed dog in town that has had litters that you’d like to spay.
  • The ID/Dog Name provided in this form must match the billing information provided by the vet.
  • PoundHounds should be billed directly by the vet; we must receive an itemized bill with specific services and charges for each dog. If the vet’s office is unable to provide this itemized bill to PoundHounds directly, you will need to obtain one and send it to PoundHounds within 5 days of the visit.
  • You agree to use only those vets who have signed up to work with us.
  • Our goal is to help reduce pet overpopulation and improve adoption chances for dogs. By participating, you agree to try to find good homes for the dogs in this program and to contact PoundHounds, other ACOs, or other rescue groups to get help with adoptions, if needed.
  • Important: funds should not be used to spay/neuter dogs with severe medical problems or aggression issues without prior discussion with PoundHounds.

Forms should be faxed to 866.800.0015, emailed, or mailed to P.O. Box 454, Hopkinton, MA 01748.

Miracle Medical Fund

To receive medical funds, you agree to:

  • Complete and return this form, along with a prognosis and estimate from the vet, prior to treatment. PoundHounds will not fund treatment without prior authorization. Note: PoundHounds will pay the vet directly, upon receipt of an itemized bill.
  • If possible, send a photo with this application. Because fundraising is an ongoing necessity in order to sponsor medical care for dogs in town pounds, we need your help to tell funders about this dog. Please send a photo (preferably an electronic/digital jpg format) with this application, or, with prior approval due to an emergency situation, as soon as possible after treatment. We are sorry, but we cannot consider funding if we don’t receive a photo of the dog. If you don't have access to a camera, PoundHounds will be happy to provide a disposal camera and pre-paid return envelope and handle the film development. We can also scan photos if you have them. Please try to get one or two nice pictures of your dog -- it helps us help you.
  • Provide follow-up information to PoundHounds on a regular basis including information about treatment, outcome, and placement of the dog.
  • Provide photographs of the treated dog, after treatment and, if possible, after adoption; it is vitally important that we have good photos of the dog, to help with fundraising.
  • Make a good faith effort to fundraise for this dog to help replenish the Medical Fund or complete the dog’s care. PoundHounds can provide materials to help with this effort. It is not required that you replace the medical funds you use, but any effort toward this helps us to keep medical funds available for other pound dogs in need.

By agreeing to participate in the PoundHounds Miracle Medical Fund, you understand that:

  • Medical funds will be used exclusively for the dog specified and not for other dogs.
  • All dogs must be pound dogs (no dogs belonging to private owners, relatives or friends are permitted).
  • Funds should not be used to provide medical care for dogs with aggression issues or other problems that would significantly affect your ability to adopt out this dog without prior discussion with PoundHounds.
  • Our goal is to help reduce pet overpopulation and improve adoption chances for dogs. By participating, you agree to try to find good homes for the dogs in this program and to contact PoundHounds, other ACOs, or other rescue groups to get help with adoptions, if needed.
  • The dog ID/name provided in this form must match the billing information provided by the vet.
  • Funds are limited to up to $500 per dog. Additional medical costs require prior approval from PoundHounds.

Please download the application form for more information. Forms should be faxed to 866.800.0015, emailed, or mailed to P.O. Box 454, Hopkinton, MA 01748.

Training Program

To receive funds for dog training, you agree to:

  • Complete and return this form prior to contracting or placing the dog with a trainer. PoundHounds will not fund training services without prior authorization. Note: PoundHounds will pay the trainer directly, upon receipt of an itemized bill.
  • Send a photo with this application. Because fundraising is an ongoing necessity in order to sponsor training for dogs in town pounds, we need your help to tell funders about this dog. Please send a photo (preferably an electronic/digital jpg format) with this application. We are sorry, but we cannot consider funding if we don’t receive a photo of the dog. If you don't have access to a camera, PoundHounds will be happy to provide a disposal camera and pre-paid return envelope and handle the film development. We can also scan photos if you have them. Please try to get one or two nice pictures of your dog -- it helps us help you.
  • Provide follow-up information to PoundHounds on a regular basis including information about the training, outcome, and placement of the dog.
  • Provide photographs of the dog, and, if possible, after adoption; it is vitally important that we have good photos of the dog, to help with fundraising.

By agreeing to participate in the PoundHounds Training Program, you understand that:

  • Training funds will be used exclusively for the dog specified and not for other dogs.
  • All dogs must be pound dogs (no dogs belonging to private owners, relatives or friends are permitted).
  • Our goal is to improve adoption chances for town dogs. By participating, you agree to try to find good homes for the dogs in this program and to contact PoundHounds, other ACOs, or other rescue groups to get help with adoptions, if needed. Funds should not be used to provide training for dogs with aggression issues or other problems that would significantly affect your ability to adopt out this dog without prior discussion with PoundHounds.
  • The dog ID/name provided in this form must match the billing information provided by the trainer.
  • Funds are limited. Training funding is at the discretion of PoundHounds; limits may be set on the amount we will fund.

Please download the application form for more information. Forms should be faxed to 866.800.0015, emailed, or mailed to P.O. Box 454, Hopkinton, MA 01748.

And our newest offering: the Shelter Enhancement Program!

This includes funding for the following supplies and equipment:

  • Kuranda Beds
  • Kongs and other dog toys
  • Leashes and Collars through our Leashes by the Pound program
  • Other supplies such as special diet dog food, crates, stretchers, grooming supplies and sessions, and cleaning supplies

Currently there is no form to use, instead contact PoundHounds via email to make your request.


Spay/Neuter Resources

For Dogs in Town Pounds

PoundHounds' Spay/Neuter Program

See above description.

MAC Clinic Information

As of September 15, 2008, MAC (Massachusetts Animal Coalition) transferred the management of their clinic to the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. The services offered at the clinic have not changed nor has the fee schedule. The clinic will continue to spay and neuter shelter dogs and cats, and vaccinations and other routine tests will be available for those animals who need them. The clinic will continue to be held on Fridays.

To book animals for clinics, please contact Paula Dryden at Paula Dryden. Or leave a message at 508.887.4318.

For Owned Dogs

Massachusetts Animal Coalition (MAC) Spay/Neuter Events and Resources

MAC regularly offers low-cost spay/neuter clinics for pet owners around the state. Check their web site at www.massanimalcoalition.org/spayneuter%20info.html for upcoming events.

MAC also lists a number of other resources for low-cost spay/neuter services which may be helpful to residents of your town. See www.massanimalcoalition.org/spayneuter for more information.


Foreclosure Resources

See our tips for what pet owners can do to prepare for foreclosure. Check out poundhounds.org/adoption_resources/foreclosure_resources.

The Humane Society of the United States’ recently launched a Foreclosure Pet Fund to help keep families and pets together by funding grants to animal shelters, non-sheltered rescue/adoption groups and animal care and control agencies to help establish, expand, or publicize services or programs that assist families in caring for their pets during the current economic crisis. Find out more about their eligibility requirements as well as gain access to the online application form by clicking here.


Animal Control Officers Association of Massachusetts

It is the mission of the Animal Control Officers’ Association of Massachusetts to promote and improve through education and training the skills, professionalism, knowledge of applicable laws, personal safety and job security of animal control officers employed by cities, towns, counties or other municipalities located within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; to inform and educate the general public of Massachusetts on the responsibilities of animal ownership; and to assist State and local governmental bodies in enacting, improving and enforcing animal control laws that are reasonable and equitable.

To learn more about the Animal Control Officers Association of Massachusetts, visit their web site at www.acoam.com.

ACOAM Newsletter

ACOAM News September 2008

ACOAM News December 2008


Campaigns Against Dog-Fighting

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) offers a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in dogfighting or cockfighting. Visit their web site at www.hsus.org/acf/cruelty/publiced/hsus_rewards.html to find out how the reward program works, and to order a free action pack such as posters and pamphlets to help you spread the word in your community.



Programs for Dog Food and Shelter Supplies

Kong Seconds Program

Kong Company, makers of the famous Kong toys, offers a Seconds program to non-profits. Order Kongs of all sizes at greatly reduced prices. Visit their web site at www.kongcompany.com/worlds_best.html to find out more. It's hard to find so go to the "Find Kong" icon at the top, and then look for "KONG Seconds" on the left side of the screen. They also produce an electronic newsletter that shares great tips for using Kong products, with stories of how dogs not only enjoy but are comforted by Kong products. They can help relieve anxiety and boredom so PoundHounds is actively engaged in distributing Kongs to town pounds.

Kuranda's Donate-a-Bed Program

Kuranda offers a "Donate-a-Bed" program so your supporters can send sturdy Kuranda dog beds and cozy fleece pads directly to your pound. All you have to do is register and publicize the program. When you register, you pre-select the sizes you would like and tell Kuranda where to ship them, then they will provide you with a link to paste into your website. Kuranda does the rest! You will be notified by email with each donation. Go to kuranda.com/main/nonprof.php to get started.