3-Degree Guarantee: PALS Atlanta provides ongoing support for pets and their owners

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Each month, Atlanta News First donates to an organization doing good in our community as part of our Three-Degree Guarantee program.

The amount of money we donate depends on the accuracy of our First Alert Weather Team, and our partners at Coolray match it.

This month, Atlanta News First is highlighting Pets Are Loving Support (PALS) Atlanta. Since 1990, the organization has provided ongoing care and support for the pets of Atlanta-area residents with disabilities or critical illnesses.

Thomas Lazaro, PALS’ executive director, is a pet owner himself and knows just how expensive it can get. In addition to the typical upkeep, when certain life struggles get in the way, keeping a pet can become an even bigger challenge.

That’s when PALS Atlanta steps in.

“Today we provide free dog food, vaccinations, heartworm preventions, and our goal is to help people keep their pets,” Lazaro said.

The group started in 1990 during the AIDS crisis after its founders saw people struggling to care for their pets during serious health challenges.

“The AIDS crisis isn’t what it used to be,” Lazaro said. “It’s no longer a death sentence, and the medicines are a lot cheaper. So even though the majority of our client base is still people with HIV, we have extended it to people with disabilities, cancer and veterans and the elderly.”

After several success stories, PALS Atlanta continues to help the community decades after its founding.

“We had a lady, a couple years ago, who was forced to live in her car because of her cancer treatments,” Lazaro said. “We were able to help her keep her pets. and she was very grateful. Unfortunately, she passed away a few months after that, but we feel like we helped her last months be happy since her pets stayed with her.”

To qualify for PALS Atlanta services, visit their online website here.