Local Resident Aims to Help Pet Parents in Need

If you're a pet parent, there's a chance you've been faced with buying expensive medication for your pet or paying for a costly medical procedure.
 
According to the American Pet Products Association, Americans spent $53.33 billion on their pets in 2012, $13.67 billion of which was spent on veterinarian care. Americans spent $12.65 billion on items like supplies and over-the-counter medicine for their pets in 2012. 

But what if you're unemployed, on a fixed income or otherwise unable to pay for your pet's medication or medical procedure? What then? That's where Grayslake resident Brenda Ford and her not-for-profit organization, The Merlin Fund Foundation, step in. 

Ford started The Merlin Fund Foundation in 2011 following the death of her beloved Leonberger, Merlin. Through the foundation, she aims to provide financial assistance to pet owners who are having trouble caring for their pets due to a variety of circumstances. Ford said she has encountered a few situations where older people on fixed incomes have been unable to pay the $40 or $50 a month for a pet's medication. 

"That's why all of this started. It just broke my heart," said Ford. "I couldn't deal with people having to give up their pets because they can't afford the medicine or treatment."

She found herself on the receiving end of assistance many years ago when Merlin needed $2,800 worth of medical treatment. The owners of the puppies Merlin had fathered stepped up and helped Ford pay for Merlin's treatment.

"I felt like I needed to give back after what had been done for me years ago," she said.

While she can't always provide the full amount that a pet parent needs, she gives as much as she can. Ford recently sent $500 to a woman whose dog is suffering from oral melanoma. Though the total bill was $12,000, the woman appreciated the $500 Ford provided, Ford said. 

"That's the thing. Everyone appreciates it, even if you can't give them 100 percent," said Ford. 

In the case of a dog named Kele in Florida, Ford was able to raise $3,000 to get the dog a prosthetic leg. Kele was born with her umbilical cord wrapped around her leg. 

Money for Merlin

Much of the time, Ford and her husband dig into their own pockets to give money to pet parents in need. 

"There's a lady we've been supporting for six months now and the medication is $48 a month, and we just pay that out of our own pocket," said Ford. "My husband and I are both employed, and we try to help as much as we can."

She also seeks donations from individuals and organizations.

Ford is now in the midst of a capital campaign on the crowdfunding site Indiegogo. She is hoping to raise $100,000 for The Merlin Fund Foundation through her Indiegogo page, where people can donate money directly through PayPal or purchase items like handmade cards and jewelry. 

If you'd like to contribute to Ford's cause, visit her Indiegogo page or The Merlin Fund Foundation website.