Knollwood Pet Relief  continues to help our community's pets!

Knollwood Pet Relief has been going strong for over 18 years. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of our Knollwood staff and thanks to the donations of so many Knollwood clients, we've been able to continue our necessary work even during the current economic downturn.  All of our baby kitty litters and all of the healthy adult cats and dogs we were able to accept into our program were Doctor-checked, Feline Leukemia and FIV tested, heartworm-checked, wormed, microchipped, and neutered or spayed.  All were adopted, and all are still in the same loving homes in which they were originally placed.   All of our  litters of baby kittens found wonderful homes, as did our young and middle-aged adult cats and dogs.  Everyone was adopted into a home where we know they will be loved and spoiled! We've been able to assist with the medical needs of many Knollwood pets whose owners have either lost their homes or have been forced to declare bankruptcy, and we have placed adult pets whose owners could no longer keep them in such situations, too.

Knollwood Pet Relief (KPR) started in 1993, when a client made a donation to us, in memory of his deceased pet.  He asked that the funds be used to help disadvantaged pets in our community, whether they were abandoned or were owned by individuals who temporarily could not care for them.  Since then, other clients have made donations in honor or in memory of their pets, and we have used these funds to continue to help our community's pets.  Our original donor has been deceased for some years, but we think of him often and we know he would be very proud of what his original donations started and what our KPR program has been able to accomplish over the years.  Our more recent donors should feel equally proud, because their help has allowed us to continue our work.

In addition to providing a temporary refuge for homeless, ill, and injured pets in our community, we have been able to offer assistance in other animal-need cases.  We have helped in several situations where an overpopulation of stray wild cats was a problem.  In two such incidences, we were able to step in and neuter some of these cats.  In others, we provided medication to sick kittens and cats.

We also have provided veterinary care to long-term clients who are temporarily unable to meet the medical needs of their critically ill pets.  We want to share with you four letters we received from recipient clients – because it is YOUR ongoing donations that help to make the work we are able to do through our KPR programs possible:

"The bills from my husband's accident and death barely allowed me to keep my daughter in her school and food on the table, let alone provide for the complicated medical needs of our cat.  [Our cat] has been my [daughter's] consolation through this difficult time and I don't know what she would have done if she had lost her cat and her Daddy, too.  We would never have been able to afford to pay for the bladder surgery.  Thank you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart for making this surgery possible.  [Our cat] is doing great and my daughter told me last night that she is starting a "save your pennies" program at her grade school to help KPR so that other people can be helped like we were helped."

"I cannot begin to express the deep gratitude I feel with the wonderful work and healing you’ve performed on [my pet].  The gifts from your KPR fund has allowed me to keep [him] in tip-top shape…it has also allowed me [to use the funds I would have spent on pet care] to keep my car running so that I can come to my appointments.  Thank you so very much."

"We all try to plan ahead for emergencies, but none of us expected [our pet] to have such serious cancer at such a young age.  The help you gave us through your KPR program is making her feel so much better.  There is so much bad news and hate in our world today that we are exposed to on a daily basis - it makes it hard to be a good parent.  But it has been very positive for my kids to see that there are so many good people in this world who help others.  I hope that it will inspire them.  I know it has inspired me.  I promise you, as soon as we get back on our feet and my husband gets a job again, we will start re-paying KPR back for the good you have done our family."

"Your act of kindness to me and my cat overwhelmed me.  I am at a loss to find the words to express my appreciation for having you in my life.  Thank you, thank you!"

These are just a few examples of what we can do together, when you donate to our KPR fund.  Literally, every dollar helps a pet - and their family - in need.

Click here to read a touching story about how your donation was put to use for a Knollwood family.

This sweet little baby was found in an alley by a pizza delivery man and brought to Knollwood to be cared for until she found her new forever family.

Lucky Alice got a GREAT home with our UPS delivery man, who, years ago, adopted two adult cats from us.  One of his big kitty boys died several months back, and his remaining cat has been lonely.  Alice will certainly provide some high-spirited company for him!

Felix and Oscar were rescued as babies and brought into Knollwood as KPR animals.  The Doctors and Staff nursed these kittens to health, neutered and vaccinated them, and adopted them to a great home.  Unfortunately, those owners could no longer care for these furbabies, and Felix and Oscar were without a couch to cuddle on.

But now, Felix and Oscar (now Kato and Harley) are sleeping soundly and comfortably in their new forever home!  Their new owners are longtime clients (and friends!) of Knollwood who had lost their 20 year old cat.  Kato and Harley will be joining their new brother, Kai, in this remarkably loving and fantastic home!  We hope these kitties know how lucky they are!

Vincenzio is living the good life with his new Mom, a critical care Nurse who loves to jog with him.  Formerly quite a porky boy, Vincenzio is now sleek, lean, and a real running machine, says proud Mom!

Part Italian greyhound and part - well, something a lot bigger than an Italian greyhound - Vincenzio came to us after his former owners felt that they could no longer afford to keep him.

His new owner tells us, "Vincenzio will never have to feel unloved or unwanted again!".

These two beautiful dilute calico kitties have found their forever home!  "The Babies," as they were lovingly called, were found starving on the side of the road and nursed back to health by our caring staff.

They were adopted into a warm and cozy home just in time for the holidays.  Their new "Mom" tells us that they are constantly getting into mischief and are so much fun to watch and play with!

Toto              

Toto was very much loved by one of our senior clients.  When he became terminally ill and was unable to care for Toto, his family relinquished him to us. Sadly, Toto was in very poor health.

Your KPR donations allowed us to restore Toto to health so that he could be adopted.  We launched a multi-state effort to find Toto a new home.  He was adopted by a college Professor who told us that Toto was "the best gift I have ever given myself ".

Mr. Moo and Midnight are now "California Dreamin" in their new home just outside of La Jolla!  They were adopted by a woman who saw their picture and realized that they looked exactly like cats she had owned, as a young girl.  She immediately went out and got her house set up for them, even though the adoption was still pending.  Her excellent application and her heartfelt wish for these kitties motivated Dr. Mitchell to pay for their airfare to their new home, since we had no KPR funds at the time.

Donations can be made in person or mailed to the clinic in order to help care for our KPR pets until they can find forever homes.  Every penny helps! 

To the left is Charley, one of the direct recipients of your KPR donation.  Charley was found in a Chicago alley.  He was adopted and is now living the good life with Dr. Mitchell's mother.  Charley has what is quite possibly the largest stuffed toy collection owned by a dog in the northern hemisphere!

Dr. Mitchell's mom had this to say about her beloved companion:

"My Charley is just the greatest.  I am so grateful for him, I could not have a more wonderful pet friend.  I am so glad he came to KPR's attention and that you thought to call me about him."

According to Mrs. Livesay, she was adopted by Sabrina, the KPR kitty on the right.  This is one of Sabrina's favorite places to hang out in her new forever home. No doubt she is looking at her new Mom's beautiful flower garden!  Have you noticed the lovely fresh flower arrangements at the front desk , from Spring through Fall?  They are all brought in by Sabrina's Mom, fresh from her garden each week.

Ben and Jerry were recent adoptees of our KPR program. They are now being spoiled with the Lynches, in a home with their two canine brothers!

Scooter was a KPR kitty that was adopted by the parents of our very own Doris!  From what we've heard, Scooter is being spoiled rotten and loving life with his new family.  Despite missing part of one hind leg, Scooter never stops moving.  When he's not busy being cute and frisky, he likes to play in the bathtub after someone takes a shower!