In The News – Saving Lives, One Pet at a Time: The Village Pet Foundation’s Impact in the Tahoe Basin
October 2, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 10/02/2025, Written by Zoe Meyer
For pet owners in the Tahoe Basin facing unimaginable choices between costly veterinary care and losing their companions, the Village Pet Foundation (VPF) is a lifeline. Since its founding in July 2023, this volunteer-run nonprofit has saved 120 pets—and counting—by providing funding for emergency veterinary care that prevents euthanasia. In just under a year, VPF has far surpassed its original goal, bringing relief and hope to families in need.
Operating across the Tahoe Basin and beyond, VPF partners with six veterinary clinics to fund critical treatments for animals at risk of being put down. The average cost per case is $2,000, a sum many pet owners simply cannot afford. Funding comes from thrift stores, community fundraisers, and private donations. The need is urgent—95% of the pets VPF assists would not have survived without this intervention.
Chairperson Pat Abbey, motivated by the overwhelming number of pets euthanized due to financial hardship, has vowed to never turn away an animal in need. As the demand for services grows, so does the foundation’s reach. For Abbey and her dedicated team, the impact of their work is evident in the lives they save. Every rescued pet represents a family kept whole. Among the stories that have recently come to light, three remarkable cases—Remmy, Stitch, and Gordo—stand out as powerful examples of survival, resilience, and the difference VPF is making.