{"id":11191,"date":"2018-09-20T10:17:14","date_gmt":"2018-09-20T14:17:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/?p=11191"},"modified":"2022-01-12T12:10:54","modified_gmt":"2022-01-12T17:10:54","slug":"local-resident-donates-almost-50k-treat-dogs-heartworm-orange-county-animal-services","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/2018\/09\/local-resident-donates-almost-50k-treat-dogs-heartworm-orange-county-animal-services\/","title":{"rendered":"Local Resident Donates Almost 50K to Treat Dogs with Heartworm at Orange County Animal Services"},"content":{"rendered":"

One can safely say Orange County resident Jackie Webb is an avid animal lover. About a decade ago, Webb started donating food and money to the Orange County Animal Services (OCAS)<\/a> shelter. When OCAS began its Heartworm Treatment Sponsorship Program<\/a> in 2016, Webb saw it as a perfect opportunity to expand her contributions.<\/p>\n

Through her company John B. Webb & Associates, she has paid $19,600 to sponsor 97 dogs for heartworm treatment so far in 2018, with another $14,350 pledged in the future. In 2017, she also sponsored 36 dogs with a total donation of $12,600. Webb\u2019s generous donation equates to a total of 133 dogs sponsored and a lifetime giving of $46,550 so far.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cMy experiences at a young age shaped me into someone who was always going to be involved in charity work, and especially with helping animals,\u201d Webb said. \u201cMy love for animals has always been there, and I\u2019m in this for the long haul.\u201d<\/p>\n

Born in Scotland, Webb began volunteering at Glasgow\u2019s Cardonald Cat and Dog Home<\/a> as a young child. At the age of 12, she won the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh\u2019s Award for her charity work. When Webb moved to Winter Park 27 years ago, she got involved with Orange County Animal Services, \u00a0the only open-admission shelter in Orange County. OCAS has identified heartworm disease as a deterrent to adoption and created the program to offer local businesses the opportunity to sponsor treatment for heartworm-afflicted dogs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t want heartworms to be a barrier to adopting any shelter dog,\u201d said Alyssa Chandler, OCAS public information officer. \u201cTo help increase adoptions and ease the costs associated with heartworm treatment as a burden to adopters, as well as increase awareness of this disease, we launched the sponsorship program.\u201d<\/p>\n

Heartworm is a parasitic roundworm that spreads from host to host through the bites of mosquitoes. When a dog is bitten by an infected mosquito, the transmitted larvae mature into adult heartworms. They then begin reproducing in the heart, lungs and surrounding blood vessels. It can be fatal if left untreated, though it is a curable disease once contracted. It is also highly preventable.<\/p>\n

Local businesses have stepped up to sponsor shelter dogs. Sponsors pledge $350 per dog, which is the cost of heartworm treatment. Many businesses generously choose to sponsor one animal per month. Other businesses have become regular heartworm sponsors including Power Design<\/a>, Wean & Malchow, P.A.<\/a> and Franchina Law<\/a>. Like many other OCAS partners, Webb is committed to helping as many dogs as she can.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fortunate to own a business so we have the means and the desire to help these animals,\u201d she said. \u201cThis program is making a difference because many people aren\u2019t aware of heartworm disease or don\u2019t have the money to treat it. Animals deserve a chance to live, and the heartworm program has really helped in this regard.\u201d<\/p>\n

The heartworm program as a whole has sponsored a total of 419 dogs and counting, since its conception in November 2016. There are approximately 20 sponsors who contribute to the program.<\/p>\n

If you are interested in becoming a heartworm sponsor, email HeartwormProgram@ocfl.net<\/a> or visit http:\/\/ocnetpets.com\/GetInvolved\/HeartwormSponsorships.aspx<\/a>. All heartworm sponsorships are $350 and may be applied to specific dogs, if desired. Sponsor a dog with heartworm disease and save a life.<\/p>\n

Common Misconceptions about Heartworm Disease:<\/strong><\/p>\n