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Monday, October 12, 2009
Eagles launch $500k animal welfare grant program

The Eagles today launched a $500,000 grant program to assist animal welfare organizations in the Philadelphia area and beyond.

That's about one-third of what the man who got a sports team into the animal welfare business -  Michael Vick  - will receive in the first year of his two-year contract.

The first three $50,000 matching grants were announced at a news conference this morning by team owner Christina Lurie and president Joe Banner.

They are:

 

End Dogfighting Program - The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) will bring their grassroots, preventative method to tackle dog fighting to Philadelphia. Vick already has a role in that program. He has been speaking to inner city students here and elsewhere as part of a controversial arrangement he made with HSUS following his release from federal prison where he served 18 months for his role running a brutal dog fighting ring.  

Low-cost Spay and Neuter Facility - Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) to support the construction of a low-cost spay and neuter facility in Philadelphia.

Mobile Veterinary Clinic - Berks County Humane Society (BCUS) to support their new mobile veterinary clinic that will serve neighborhoods in Reading, Chester and parts of Philadelphia, PA.

The Eagles also announced the launch of the Eagles TAWK series to bring animal experts to elementary and middle schools to educate children on responsible pet ownership, a public service campaign that will involve Eagles players advocating on animal welfare issues and a dedicated website through the www.philadelphiaeagles.com site.

 

The Eagles also will support animal welfare organizations in their fundraising and awareness programs by committing various Eagles personnel and resources to expand their efforts.

 

Posted by Amy Worden @ 2:22 PM  Permalink | 18 comments
Comments   
Posted 03:11 PM, 10/12/2009
scargosun
Far too little, to late. This could have been a start a few months ago but it is clear the Eagles waited to see haw bad the public backlash was before doing anything. The money will help but the way it was given sets a poor example.
Posted 03:28 PM, 10/12/2009
Shelterviewer
I agree that the delay was probably longer than should have been, but this is a start, and what I am most pleased about is the fact 2 out of the 3 initial grants involve setting up programs that are vital to improving animal welfare and sheltering (medical care and spay/neuter). Setting up these services alone where they can be used regularly to make a real difference is a step in the right direction. I just hope it is the start of real change in the city and beyond. Dr. Bryan Langlois, DVM "The views expressed in these comments are mine and mine alone and do not represent those of the Humane League of Lancaster County or any other public or private organization"
Posted 05:52 PM, 10/12/2009
ptahan
Does this mean that the Eagles will pay the $80,000. in back taxes owed to the city?
Posted 06:41 PM, 10/12/2009
cancer36
How come the people so concerned couldnt come up with this money beforehand? If they're so into dog welfare, they should have given their all...like nuns to the church, devote their entire existence to the care of dogs and ending dogfighting. They shouldn't need anyone to give them money, they should be swimming in it because they have been giving so much all along.
Posted 07:18 PM, 10/12/2009
Mr.Sinatra
i would like to see an endowment created, that anyone could give to, where the money itself [contributions] is never spent, but the interest or earnings on it is. that would be a gift to animals that would last forever. imo mike vick can never do enough to repay the harm he caused, however i am gratified that he and the eagles are doing SOMETHING, ANYTHING, that could help out animals in the present and the future. if they ever create such an endowment, i would be happy to give to it.
Posted 09:20 PM, 10/12/2009
Vick4Real
Vick paid 1 million to rehabilitate his dogs and is reaching out to youths and dog fighters. What he did was extremely bad, but don't hold the Eagles accountable for financing America's animal care initiatives when all they did was give a man a 2nd chance. Better now than never!
Posted 10:12 PM, 10/12/2009
Poohiebear
They need to send some of the grant to the people who are still caring for Vick's animals. Listed below. It also says it is a matching grant - where does the other match come from? It is also only 1/3 of Vick's salary, good start but not enough. http://www.bestfriends.org/dogtown/ http://www.badrap.org/rescue/ http://www.spcamc.org/rescued-dogs.htm http://www.recycledlove.org/ http://www.ral.org/ http://www.georgiaspca.org/ http://www.ourpack.org/ http://artanimals.org/ Court documenting how many dogs went where: http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/ajc/pdf/1211vickjudg.pdf
Posted 10:33 PM, 10/12/2009
PaulDeon
The Eagles should stick to football and leave the guilt to the professionals. Sort of pathetic.
Posted 10:40 PM, 10/12/2009
didderbops
It's all just PR cover for the Doggie Drowner.
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Posted 11:08 PM, 10/12/2009
ryno5
Chase Utley thinks Mike Vick needs to "step his game up".
Posted 12:04 AM, 10/13/2009
TJones
What a joke. Remember, the dogs did not get a second chance. And they didn't have the Philadelphia NAACP agitating for them.
Posted 01:37 AM, 10/13/2009
MimiC
I agree with didderbops, just PR... Now lets watch the money and make sure it goes where its supposed to.
Posted 11:34 AM, 10/13/2009
horsegirl
The Eagles asked for all this trouble when they decided to sign an ex-con named Michael Vick, and since it was a highly visible case being that he is an overpaid and underapprecating athlete it's even bigger news. Now, the fact that he was making crazy $$$, more than any of us combined will ever see in three lifetimes and he still chose to fight and KILL hundreds of mans best friends (Dogs), and bankroll an interstate dog-fighting operation is just plain stupid, cruel and inhumane..it's not like he needed the money people. Its about time the Eagles are putting their money where their mouth is...I hope it helps a lot of animals all over Philthy, Lord knows they need all the help they can get. And Vick visited a CHARTER school and a church. That's not really talking to "inner-city" kids at risk...he needs to go into the worst parts of the city, the worst schools in the city and tell kids "Do as I say, not as I do" what a disgrace..Vick is a hypocrite.
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About Amy Worden
Amy Worden is a politics and government reporter for the Inquirer. In that capacity she has explored a range of animal issues from dog kennel law improvements and horse slaughter to the comeback of peregrine falcons and pigeon hunts. From hamsters to horses, animals have always been part of her life. Today Amy lives on an apple orchard near Gettysburg with her husband and a feline menagerie. A search is underway for the right “dawg” and they hope the barnyard will soon house endangered geese and other animals.
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