(Riverton, WY) – “…thank goodness our village is vast,” Dr. Amy Stockton from Stock Doc Veterniary Service in Riverton shared with County 10 yesterday, July 30, when representatives from the PAWS for Life surprised her with a $50,000 check.
The money was donated to PAWS from Lulu’s Fund, which is part of the Timothy T. Day Foundation and based out of Jackson, to help pay off its veterniary medical bill debt at the Stock Doc. The $50k almost completely paid the debt in full, which accrued over the years when PAWS couldn’t afford to pay the Stock Doc for their services, something Dr. Stockton provided regardless because she knew how important it was to get the animals medically ready for adoption.
When they heard of the struggles PAWS was having with the debt, the folks at Lulu’s Fund decided to help pay it off “so that the shelter could get back on its feet.”
“We are beyond grateful for this donation,” Pam Canham with PAWS shared. ‘It takes so much pressure and stress off of everybody’s shoulders because we try so hard to stay up with all our bills.”
“When you are constantly overcrowded with animals… it’s hard to stay up with the vet bills,” Canham added after explaining the shelter currently has 35 dogs and 27 kittens in its care (not even counting the adult cats). “And even though we make payments every month, it’s just never enough. So this foundation, this donation, they are our heroes forever.”
“You guys are freaking amazing!” Dr. Stockton beamed when she was presented with the check, which she was surprised with while taking office dog Wheezy out for a potty break and saw the PAWS crew waiting for her in the yard.
“Do you know how hard it was to keep this secret?” Canham joked with Dr. Stockton.
“Riverton needs to say a big thank you to you guys for this, too, I mean, look at what you’ve done for Riverton with this,” Dr. Stockton went on to say. “This is big.”
“It just really takes a village to do what we do, and thank goodness our village is vast.”
“Amy has been a part of PAWS for 20 some odd years now,” Canham shared. “She started on the board and has always been one of our biggest supporters, clearly.
“This covers last year, over 500 animals,” added PAWS Co-Diretor Ashley Aragon. “So that covers the majority of last year’s and this year. I don’t know how many animals we’ve brought in so far this year, but it (has been) a lot.”
To check out the pooches and feline friends available for adoption at PAWS, click here.