When a medical crisis or unexpected bill hits, some older adults face an impossible choice: pay for their own essentials or pay for a pet’s care.

Harley’s Hope Foundation exists to make sure seniors on fixed incomes can keep and care for the animals they love, even during life’s hardest stretches.

“We’ve always leaned toward helping seniors, but the need for help at all ages is overwhelming,” said founder Cynthia Bullock, 68. “Once people learned of us, the requests started coming in regularly, and it was hard to turn any animal in need away.”

Harley’s Hope ultimately decided to focus exclusively on older adults statewide, Bullock said, because of how quickly Colorado is aging and the unique challenges older pet parents can face.

“Limited income, limited mobility to take on a second job, get to a pet food pantry, etc.,” she said.

The organization is named for Harley Jane, the rottweiler-heeler mix Bullock and her husband, David, first fostered, then adopted.

 When Harley was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma, an aggressive cancer, the Bullocks were devastated. They understood that many families facing the same diagnosis might have had no choice but to euthanize, but that was never on the table. They pursued treatment, but after three months of chemotherapy, Harley passed away. 

KEEPING FAMILIES TOGETHER

Realizing chemo and other costly treatments aren’t always an option for other pet parents, the Bullocks chose to turn their grief into action by launching Harley’s Hope in 2010. 

 The Colorado Springs-based nonprofit offers emergency foster care when a pet parent is hospitalized, transportation to and from veterinary appointments and help with pet deposits and major or emergency veterinary expenses.

Volunteer J.D. Donaldson, the board’s vice president and a receptionist at Bijou Animal Hospital, said he was inspired to get involved after seeing the organization’s work with patients at the clinic. Harley’s Hope is the group Bijou staff refer clients to most often, he said.

Donaldson recalled a cat that recovered after Harley’s Hope funded a feeding tube. Bullock also shared Molly’s story, a dog with mast cell tumors throughout her body whose surgery the nonprofit helped cover, a lifeline for her owner because Molly was her only family.

Harley’s Hope checks in with clients for six months after providing help. Donaldson said 92% of animals that receive major services are still alive and in their original homes.

“Almost all the pets we’ve helped have fully recovered,” he said.

The nonprofit has helped more than 13,000 animals and provided more than $1 million in assistance.

 GIVING THAT HONORS LOVE

Donor support makes the work possible, but funding remains a challenge, Bullock said. 

“We’re competing against traditional animal charities and people tend to be drawn to helping homeless animals rather than keeping pets with homes in those homes,” she said.

The organization also needs volunteers for fundraising and administrative tasks, as well as foster caregivers who can take in a pet while its owner is in the hospital. Harley’s Hope provides food, supplies and veterinary care. 

Harley’s Hope urges pet parents to keep up with routine veterinary care. If an animal has not received routine care in more than 24 months, the organization will not consider an application.

“Animals may be showing signs of illness months in advance,” Bullock said. “If you wait until the animal is at death’s door, it may be too late.” 

HOW TO APPLY

If you're a Colorado resident over 50 apply online:
Harleys-HopeFoundation.org
Quesions? Call 719-495-6083

HOW TO DONATE

Supporters can give online or mail a check. The nonprofit also accepts legacy gifts through wills and estate planning and offers memorial gifts through its Memorial Wall on the website.

Mail checks to:
Harley’s Hope Foundation
PO Box 88146
Colorado Springs, CO 80908

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: