Pet care nonprofit seeks to help those in need
My sister said that he was a human in a fur coat,” said Donna Roberts recalling her Vizsla dog Theodore Nathaniel Andrew Leslie Roberts, also known as Teddy.
Teddy, who passed away March 17, 2013, served as the inspiration to create the Teddy Bear Care (TBC) Corporation, a mission to provide people, whose pet needs either emergency care, critical care or urgent care, with a no-interest loan to cover the cost of the procedure.
“We started in March 2013, shortly after Teddy passed away,” said Roberts of Carmichaels. “An aunt (Charlotte Newton) who was like a second mother to me, came up with the idea.”
So far, the organization has raised about $3,000 and paid for emergency procedures for eight dogs and cats at Woodlands Animal Care Center in Farmington.
“It is mostly emergency and urgent care,” said Jessica Fundis, director of pet nursing/veterinary technician at Woodlands Animal Care Center. “Anything from a dog being hit by a car and a dog eating something (it should not have eaten).”
According to the organization’s website, teddynathaniel27.wix.com/teddybearcares, pets have received monetary assistance with emergency IVs, treating a bite that needed immediate care, giving treatment to a dog with the life-threatening Parvo virus and more.
Roberts said, in order to raise money to help with the life-saving procedures, the organization has to hold fundraisers, which includes its most popular event “TBC’s Got Talent.”
This year, the event will be held 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Albert Gallatin High School auditorium.
The event was the idea of Newton, who passed away in September.
“It was her wish that the show would go on,” said Roberts.
The talent show is open to anyone who would like to participate. Contestants are required to have their act “sponsored” by raising a $100 sponsorship fee, which is due Nov. 18.
In addition to showcasing their special talent, participants are also required to share something else.
“We ask them (contestants) to read (their statement) about what TBC means to their community. They read it before they perform,” said Roberts.
Last year’s show had a wide variety of acts.
“There were a lot of people singing. There were dance acts, and there were two comedians,” said Fundis who also served as a judge.
The winner of this year’s “TBC’s Got Talent” will receive a grand prize of $1,000.
Last year’s winner, Sarah Taylor, will make a special appearance at this year’s event, Roberts said.
Tickets to see the show are $5 for non-TBC Member card holders, $3 for children 12 years and younger, $3 for TBC Member card holders and $8 purchased at the door the day of the event.
For more information about tickets and to obtain a talent show participation form, go online to the organization’s website, send an email to teddynathaniel27@gmail.com or call 856-397-3167.
While raising money for the organization to help those families with a pet with an urgent need, Robert reflects on the inspiration of the organization.
“The first thing that comes to mind is he was a unique dog,” she said. “He had a big heart. More importantly, he was my son.”