Tom Hickey, Sr. noted animal activist, leaves $100K gift to Saved Me pet rescue
Nothing - not even a stroke or cancer - could keep Tom Hickey Sr. from caring for rescue dogs. Hickey, who was instrumental in passing legislation to improve conditions in Pennsylvania puppy mills, was a regular dogwalker for Saved Me, an animal rescue at Third and Popular Streets in Philadelphia. After he became ill he would still stop in to bring treats and pet the dogs.
Nothing - not even a stroke or cancer - could keep Tom Hickey Sr. from caring for rescue dogs.
Hickey, who was instrumental in passing legislation to improve conditions in Pennsylvania puppy mills, was a regular dogwalker for Saved Me, an animal rescue at Third and Popular Streets in Philadelphia. After he became ill he would still stop in to bring treats and pet the dogs.
Hickey, 61, died on Sunday. His wife Sharon, 59, also an animal lover, died in January.
On Thursday at their father's memorial service in Broomall, his children announced a $100,000 gift from Hickey's estate will be donated to Saved Me.
"They were so young when they died," said Kimberly Cary, the couple's daughter, in a phone interview. "They both were such huge animal lovers they would have done so much more if they stayed here. Now they will get the chance."
Saved Me rescue played a very important role in his father's life, said Tom Hickey Jr, in a phone interview.
"He believed deeply in their no-kill mission and approach to sheltering and rescue," Hickey Jr. said.
The building where the Saved Me is located at 860-862 N. Third Street, will be christened the Tom and Sharon Hickey Adoption Center.
"We will be able to save hundreds if not thousands of animal in Tom and Sharon Hickey's name," said Howard Nelson, chairman of the board at Saved Me.
Although plans are in the beginning stages, 20 percent of the donation will be used to renovate and upgrade the shelter with an intensive care unit and improved kennel space, Nelson said.
The remaining funds will be used to provide medical care for shelter animals that would otherwise be euthanized, he said.
"My dad would be so incredibly proud," said Hickey Jr.
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