Economy forces AAHA to suspend charitable fund

Lakewood, Colo.

-- Effective immediately, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) suspended all grants from its Helping Pets Fund.

Funding requests have tripled since November 2008, AAHA says, causing the AAHA Foundation to disburse the available funds more quickly than anticipated.

"By temporarily suspending the grants, we will help provide long-term stability for the AAHA Helping Pets Fund," says Dr. Kate Crumley, chair of the AAHA Foundation Board of Trustees.

Grant disbursements are expected to resume in July 2009 - sooner with additional financial support, AAHA says.

AAHA members, individuals and corporate donations have allowed the AAHA Helping Pets Fund to award more than $800,000 in grants to provide health care for more than 3,000 pets since the program was started in 2005.

Donations are being accepted online, by phone at 1-866-443-5738, or by mail at: AAHA Helping Pets Fund, 12575 West Bayaud Avenue, Lakewood, CO 80228.