The Gray Muzzle Organization of Northeast Wisconsin was created in 2019 as a grant-based organization providing resources and opportunities for senior dogs through grant funding to nonprofit rescues and humane societies.

It quickly became clear that there was also an enormous need for community-based programs. Gray Muzzle began supporting food pantries for senior dogs as well as offering yearly wellness clinics in partnership with local nonprofits that provide services for people, like LEAVEN. Those organizations’ clients are often socially isolated, and their dogs are their closest companions.

Senior dogs of current LEAVEN clients receive veterinary exams, vaccines, grooming, nail clipping and additional surgeries as needed. Gray Muzzle is also working with Pillars to provide these services for their clients.

This spring, the George & Gussie Balck and Art & Mary Leske Charitable Fund within the Community Foundation awarded a $9,000 grant to Gray Muzzle, its largest grant to date. With the rise in costs of supplies, pet food and medical bills for veterinary care, along with the rising numbers of dog owners surrendering their pets they adopted during the pandemic, Gray Muzzle has seen an increased need for services both for dogs in homes with owners and dogs in shelters whose needs extend beyond what the shelter can provide. Funding from the grant provided items for a pet food pantry the organization houses, vaccination clinics, medical supplies, dental work, heartworm treatment and surgeries for dogs.

Veterinarians Dr. Sue DePhillipi and Dr. Pat Mahoney volunteer their services, providing dogs with a brief physical and vaccinations at no cost to the owners.

“As a nonprofit agency that helps people who are in financial crisis, LEAVEN sees the difficult decisions our clients make to meet their basic needs,” says Mary Parsons, executive director at LEAVEN. “Dog owners have the added responsibility and financial burden of caring for their pet. These economically vulnerable pet owners must negotiate the sacrifices and trade-offs of not having enough money to cover the needs of both them and their pets. As a result, their dogs may not receive the medical care they need. Gray Muzzle’s wellness clinics are a godsend to our clients. They provide preventive care and, if issues are diagnosed, generously cover the cost of veterinary services.

Parsons says many LEAVEN clients are socially isolated and their dogs are their closest companions. The generosity of Gray Muzzle can be literally lifesaving to the dogs and figuratively lifesaving to the pet owners.

Here are what some clients who used one of the wellness clinics shared:

• “I have been out of work due to Covid. My dog Axl is my best friend forever and makes me feel better with his unconditional love. He deserves spoiling. Thank you so much for food!”
• “For months I’ve been going through a disability that has caused me to stop working temporarily. My disability benefits ended and now I’m going through a hardship. My dog and I are very appreciative of the donation. Thank you!”
• “Thank you very much. I have a 13-year-old Golden Retriever with special needs.”
• “Thank you so much! We saw you for Sage’s shots and couldn’t be more grateful at this time!”

The Gray Muzzle Organization operates completely by volunteers with donated dollars going directly to support their mission. For more information, click here.

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