H.E.L.P.

H.E.L.P. is the acronym for Help Every Little Paw. This organization is unique from the common animal rescue groups and organizations in that it is strictly a fundraising group. It is completely nonprofit with no paid employees. They acquire most of their funds through grants and are known for their fun and entertaining local fundraisers such as the Bartenders’ Ball, held annually the first Saturday in March, and Bark N Brew, which is always held on Father’s Day.

This organization started as a discussion in the Hansen family living room. The economy had just plummeted and families were suffering. But what about the pets, who would take care of them? They were suffering too. Pets were being abandoned and deserted by the families who were losing their homes and moving on. The Hansens looked into such circumstances. Some of these included a bag of food that was torn open on the floor and the toilet lid left up; that is the way they were left to survive in the hope that someone would come to their rescue, hopefully in time.

In spring of 2010, the Hansens decided action needed to be taken and researched how to start a nonprofit. It was not an easy task, but necessary to apply for national grants in order to not burden the community they were trying to help. Holly Hansen, with a Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga, along with her mom, Karen, began to work on obtaining the nonprofit declaration. While waiting for approval of their nonprofit status, Karen researched grants. In November of 2010, their 501(C)(3) approval came in the mail, and the paperwork for their first grant was submitted that same day. During this time, Holly’s sister, Leah Hansen, was gathering donated items and having weekly garage sales to pay medical bills for pets that were being abandoned at the local veterinarian hospital.

H.E.L.P. is not a shelter. A municipal shelter is normally run by local governments, while no-kill shelters are usually private. Rescue organizations work closely with the shelters, and when they are overcrowded, the rescue groups find volunteers who will foster pets in their homes until they find forever homes. Each year, due to overcrowding and a shortage of foster homes, approximately three to four million cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters.

H.E.L.P.’s mission is much different. They try to help keep these pets from ever having to go into the system. The Hansens realized the reason most of the pets were surrendered was due to the lack of money. Families suddenly found themselves in a situation where they could not care for the pet. H.E.L.P.’s five year goal was to have emergency medical, emergency food and a spay and neuter program in place. These goals were all met within three years! All of this was accomplished by one family with normal lives and jobs and the help of special friends to assist at the major fundraisers. Spay and neuter and emergency bills were approximately $10,000 the first year and have increased about $10,000 each subsequent year. H.E.L.P. is making a difference in this community one pet at a time.

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