March of Dimes

On July 31, 1969, "Operation Second Chance" was underway. On this day, ten handicapped children from March of Dimes Birth Defects Treatment Center at Orthopedic Hospital arrived at Ann Street Animal Shelter to select an animal of their choice. (Press Release- March of Dimes (Item A.14.14)). As can be portrayed by the photos, kittens and puppies were popular ones. The Department facilitated the process of gifting the pets, but also ensured that owners knew to do their part of licensing and inocculating the pets against rabies after reaching the age of 4 months.

The event was given this particular name because this group of children were thought to be early terminal cases, however, due to medical and scientific advancemets, they were given a second chance at life. The pets were also granted a second chance, because they got a new home with loving owners (Polio and Rabies Vaccination Immediate Release (Item B.37.76))

This event has been made possible by an open fund that the Department had. There were also namely two contributors to the event, Mary Typist Bernard of the East Valley Animal Shelter and Systems Analyst, Napa Dumriwat of Administration. Together they raised $650 on behalf of the March of Dimes walk.(Draft Meeting Minutes, Administrative Appeal Hearing (Item A.5.6)).

Programs like these are essential for educating children on the importance of loving animals, treating them kindly, and forming bonds with them. It also further reinforces the idea that animals are a form of therapy. And in a broader perspective, these programs are ways in which animal euthanasia rates can be reduced. Ten children adopting pets means ten animals being saved of possibly being put to sleep —if left unadopted.