Since my wonderful vet started this foundation, I can personally vouch for it’s stupendousness. If you don’t have time to read about them, just click HERE and your Facebook “like” is magically transformed into a $1 donation by a supporter. Fast, easy, free–please do it!
The Animal Wellness Foundation was started by my fantastic veterinarian, Dr. Annie Harvilicz, thus I can tell you from personal experience that there’s a lot of wonderful wellness going on there. Besides witnessing expert care given to the animals, I’ve also witnessed the abundance of warmth, heart and soul Dr. Annie and her staff can’t help but lavish on the critters.
Speaking of critters, here’s one speaking his endorsement…
Loosely translated, my dog Enzo said “Dr. Annie’s real nice, takes good care of me and smells good too. Gimme more jerky.”
photos © Gregory Mancuso
Enzo has been expertly repaired by Dr. Annie whether he’s fallen from great heights, done battle with cancer or have arthritic joints soothed with her acupuncture. Since I’ve done photography for them too, I’ve seen behind the scenes and can tell you everything’s ship-shape and A-OK.
But enough of me and Enzo telling you about the foundation. I’ll let them tell you themselves…
How Can I Save A Life? – cool video made by 14 year-old volunteer
About Animal Wellness Foundation
The Animal Wellness Foundation sees each animal as a unique individual. We strive to ensure all animals receive the medical care they require and the caring homes they deserve.
Each year millions of companion animals are euthanized in the United States due to overpopulation and owner relinquishment. Our goal is to keep companions in their loving homes by assisting low-income families with medical expenses while also finding forever homes for lost, abandoned, and neglected animals.
Animal Wellness Foundation emerged from the trenches of the veterinary hospital Animal Wellness Centers in Marina del Rey, CA. The veterinary hospital staff often found themselves treating patients out-of-pocket when clients lacked the necessary funds to save their pets in emergency situations. After realizing the problem was larger than the animal hospital could handle, Animal Wellness Foundation was formed.
Animal Wellness Foundation helps animals in many unique ways…
Raising funds for companions of low-income families
Rescuing animals found in situations of abuse, neglect, or abandonment
Fostering animals from animal shelters in the LA area
Funding spay, neuter, and vaccination programs.
Please help us in the fight to save these amazing animals. Each individual deserves a chance for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness!
Animal Wellness Foundation Founders
Chantelle Moffatt-Blue – Co Founder
Chantelle graduated from California State University Long Beach with a BS in Molecular and Cellular Biology. During her senior year of college, she started to volunteer with Kitten Rescue, a Los Angeles based, non-profit cat rescue group dedicated to saving homeless cats.
Her experience in rescue revealed her passion for helping animals in need, spurring her decision to pursue a career in the field of veterinary medicine. Chantelle now has several years of experience as a technician and receptionist. She especially enjoys educating clients on how to best care for their pets and is the Animal Wellness resident cat expert!
Outside of work, Chantelle still spends a lot of free time volunteering with rescue groups, but also enjoys hiking in the local mountains with her husband, cooking, and downhill skiing. And, of course, playing and cuddling with her fabulous felines!
Dr. Annie Harvilicz – Co Founder
Dr. Annie Harvilicz is the Chief Medical Officer of the veterinary hospital Animal Wellness Centers Venice. Previously she appeared on the Discovery Channel’s Animal Precinct television program during her tenure at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in New York City.
Her private veterinary practice has spanned across the country with high-profile clientele from New York to Los Angeles. She also has donated significant pro bono time to low-income communities, including, for example, service at a free spay and neuter clinic in rural Minnesota.
Dr. Annie’s rescue background was catapulted during her time in veterinary school. She rescued dozens of dogs during her four-years at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. She is the recipient of various awards and distinctions including, among others,
the Sherrie Clark Compassion and Caring Award and the Tobey Award for helping lost, abandoned, or homeless dogs.
Dr. Annie practices integrated medicine, taking the best aspects of both Eastern and Western medicine. Her passion is preventative medicine and treating the underlying cause of disease. She is excited to get back to her rescue roots with the Animal Wellness Foundation.
Animal Wellness Foundation Allies
Moby
Richard Melville Hall, known by his stage name Moby, is an American musician, DJ, and photographer. He is well known for his sample-based electronic music, vegan lifestyle, and support of animal rights. Worldwide, Moby has sold over 20 million albums. Allmusic considers him “one of the most important dance music figures of the early ’90s, helping bring the music to a mainstream audience both in the UK and in America.”
Moby gained attention in the early 1990s with his electronic dance music work, which dabbled in the techno and breakbeat hardcore (also known as “rave”) genres. With his fifth studio album, the electronica and house-influenced Play, he gained international success, eventually selling over 10 million copies worldwide. Moby has also co-written, produced, and remixed music for The Smashing Pumpkins, Michael Jackson, David Bowie, Daft Punk, Brian Eno, Pet Shop Boys, Britney Spears, New Order, Public Enemy, Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, and others.
Moby is an advocate for a variety of causes, working with MoveOn.org and The Humane Society, among others. His MobyGratis.com website, which licenses film music for free for non-profit and independent films, funnels proceeds from films which do go on to produce revenue to The Humane Society.
Gigi Levangie Grazer
Gigi Levangie Grazer, an American novelist and screenwriter, is the author of five novels: Rescue Me (2000), Maneater (2003), which was turned into Lifetime miniseries, and The Starter Wife (2006), which was adapted for 2007 miniseries on the USA Network. Its success led to a regular series that lasted one season. Her fourth novel, “Queen Takes King,” was released in 2009 and is being developed by Lifetime for a T.V movie.
Her fifth novel, “The After Wife”, released in July of 2012. She has written numerous magazine articles, featured in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and Glamour. She recently published “Wasbands and Wives, Seven Reasons to Stay Married”, in Huffington Post.
Gigi is also an active supporter of the National Resource Defense Council, Grazer, who has served on environmental action committees, routinely writes letters and calls members of Congress and the Senate for the NRDC in order to pass legislation to protect the oceans. Grazer co-hosted an NRDC “eco-salon” with Kelly Chapman Meyer called “Responding to the Crisis in Our Oceans.” Speakers were ocean experts from the PEW Oceans Commission, Fishing Center of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and the NRDC.
John Mackey
John Mackey is the current co-CEO of Whole Foods Market, which he co-founded in 1980. Named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2003, Mackey is a strong supporter of free market economics.
He is one of the most influential advocates in the movement for organic food.
Whole Foods was the first grocery chain to set standards for humane animal treatment.
John Mackey studied issues related to factory farming and implemented these findings at Whole Foods Market. Since 2006 he personally has followed an entirely plant-based diet and advocates tougher animal standards. Mackey is the “driving force” behind significant changes in animal welfare. He is on the Board of Directors of Global Animal Partnership, and has been a member of the Board of Directors for the Humane Society of the United States since 2009.
Wayne Pacelle
“We need more veterinarians like Dr. Annie who put the well-being of animals above all else. I am very impressed by her approach to veterinary medicine… I look forward to Dr. Annie’s continued involvement in the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HSVMA). And I look forward to building a strong partnership with AWC going forward.”
-Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of HSUS, February 11, 2010
Wayne Pacelle is the president of The Humane Society of the United States, the nation’s largest and most effective animal protection organization, backed by 11 million Americans.
The HSUS helps animals by advocating for better laws to protect animals; conducting campaigns to reform industries; providing animal rescue and emergency response; investigating cases of animal cruelty; and caring for animals through sanctuaries and wildlife rehabilitation centers, emergency shelters and clinics.
.
How You Can Help Animal Wellness Foundation
Adopt
Have a little extra room and love to spare? Animal Wellness Foundation is in need of homes for dogs and cats of all ages. Whether you are looking for a new addition to your family, or you can provide a temporary foster home, the little furry ones would be forever grateful!
View Our Adopt Me Page or send an email to: emylia@animalwellnessfoundation.org Thanks!
Foster
Fostering is a fantastic way to make a difference in the life of a homeless companion! By fostering an animal, you are providing a warm and loving temporary home until they can find their permanent family. Getting the animals out of a kennel and into a home prevents unwanted behavior, and ensures that they are getting the exercise and attention they need and deserve. It also enables them to adjust to life at home, and helps us learn more about their personalities, which helps in matching them with an adopter. Under our foster program, medical care is covered by our organization.
All you need to do is provide lots of love and transport to our adoption events and, when necessary, to our veterinary hospital in Marina del Rey. Our organization will even provide you with pet care supplies if you do not want to donate your own supplies. As a foster parent, you can choose which animal in our organization you would like to foster. If at any point you decide the animal you are fostering is not a good match, we will take the animal back and try to find one that is a better fit for your needs and lifestyle.
Volunteer
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Animal Wellness Foundation. As a private, nonprofit organization, we rely on the assistance of dedicated and caring volunteers to help us care for our animals and find them loving, permanent homes.
Volunteer opportunities are constantly changing as we grow and develop new programs. Below is a list of current opportunities.
• Animal Care / Socialization: Assist AWF with care of cats and dogs housed in our hospital in Marina del Rey. Animal care shifts are scheduled in 1-hour intervals and duties include walking dogs, supervising doggie play area, socializing cats, laundry, cleaning, etc. Opportunities are available 7 days a week.
• Adoption Event Support: Assist AWF adoption counselors at offsite weekend adoption events. Duties include: transporting cats and dogs to adoption events, assisting with set-up and break down of adoption venue, handling dogs, and showing cats to prospective adopters. Great opportunity for individuals who can only commit to volunteering on the weekends.
We ask that all volunteers commit at least 4 hours per month for a minimum of 6 months.
Donate
Your contribution is 100% TAX deductible.
Donations help us save more animals! By far the biggest expense of rescuing animals is veterinary care. Each animal brought into the Animal Wellness Foundation requires vaccinations, deworming treatments, flea treatments, parasite checks, FeLV/FIV testing (cats) or heartworm testing (dogs), a spay or neuter surgery, and microchipping before they can be adopted into their forever home. In addition, AWF does not shy away from rescuing sick, injured, or neglected animals, which require extensive treatments and sometimes surgery to help make them ready for adoption. Also, donations help us to pay for food and boarding expenses until a foster or permanent home can be found.