April 2005
Pooch Palace!
Foster Care Works!
In Remembrance...
 
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Our Mission Statement

In keeping with the MSPCA's mission to work toward helping create a just and compassionate society…

Phinney's Friends is a volunteer-based program that helps individuals living with HIV/AIDS maintain their quality of life by preserving the human-animal bond. We do this by assisting individuals with HIV/AIDS who are facing medical, financial, and emotional challenges with information and resources to empower them to meet the needs of their beloved companion animals. This allows them to remain happy and healthy together.

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Phinney's Friends is a program of the MSPCA, a non-profit organization that receives no local, state or federal funding. Please help us in our mission to provide individuals living with HIV/AIDS quality pet care services, which emphasize the importance of the human-animal bond, by making a donation today. 

Please click here.



 

Thank You, Pooch Palace!

Pooch Palace, a doggie daycare, boarding and grooming hotel in Watertown, Mass. holds a very special place in the heart of the Phinney's Friends program.

Since 1996, Marcia Sassoon (bottom left), owner of Pooch Palace, and her right-hand man, Nick Bailey (top right), have been raising money for Phinney's Friends through their annual holiday fundraising drive. Sassoon doesn't stop there, though! She generously matches all funds raised by Pooch Palace clients dollar for dollar!

The drive includes raffle sales and the opportunity to participate in the "Outrageous Calendar Month" contest if you buy a month in the annual Pooch Palace calendar, featuring a witty photo of pooches and their families. This year's calendar month winners were Fred and Peanutty who share their lives with their two-legged humans, Sally and Greg Hawthorne, of Canton, Mass. This Pooch family is pictured above receiving their award from MSPCA-Angell President Larry Hawk, D.V.M..

Phinney's Friends is ecstatic to announce that Pooch Palace raised more money than ever before this holiday season, donating a total of $37,080!

Pooch Palace makes it possible for Phinney's Friends to be able to carry out its mission and vision:  to assist individuals living with HIV/AIDS and their beloved companion animals stay happy and healthy together.
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Foster Care Helps...
Phinney's Friends Families Stay Together

When Julie learned that she would have to be hospitalized, she worried about what would happen to her dog, Spooky, while she was away. He was her only true companion. Julie had no one who could help care for him during this time - except Phinney's Friends.

Phinney's Friends received a call from Julie one day before she went into the hospital. With the help of the MSPCA's Metro South Animal Care and Adoption Center a loving, ideal foster care situation for Spooky became available. Phinney's Friends and Julie could not have been happier!

Spooky misses his mom, but is quite thankful for all that Phinney's Friends was able to do to help Julie focus on getting better so they can be reunited soon!

Foster care is an integral part of the Phinney's Friends program. If you would like to help our clients hold onto their four-legged best friends during tough times, learn more about the Phinney's Friends program or make a donation to support this program please feel welcome to get in touch with our office:

Kayoon Cho, Director, kcho@mspca.org
Meagan Rock, Program Coordinator,  mrock@mspca.org.
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Join us in Remembering...

On May 16, 2005, Phinney's Friends will have a memorial service and bake sale to honor the life of William "Bill" Phinney, who passed away ten years ago from AIDS on May 16, 1995. Bill was a champion for animals and his kind, compassionate spirit never ceased to be an inspiration to Phinney's Friends, his family and his friends.

Join us in Jamaica Plain at the MSPCA-Angell on the front veranda to enjoy an assortment of baked goods for sale from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on May 16, 2005 in memory of our friend, Bill.

Phinney's Friends staff and volunteers will be on hand to show the documentary, "A Gift Like No Other", and provide information about Phinney's Friends services and goals.