Pawsitive Progress: May’s Wins

We’re excited to bring you updates from a truly inspiring and impactful month. From life-saving medical care to new community spaces for our four-legged friends, May has been filled with moments that remind us why we do what we do.

In this edition, we’re sharing highlights from our Rabies Vaccination Clinic, Zelda’s brave medical journey, and the grand opening of the new Cedarville Dog Park. You’ll also find a reminder about our upcoming 5th Annual Golf Tournament—registration opens next week! 

Let’s dive into all the good your support is making possible…

Rabies Clinic at IndieFirm

We had a wonderful turnout at IndieFerm Brewery for our Rabies Vaccination Clinic! Huge thanks to Dr. Norm Stillman and Dr. Emma Stillman for donating their time and vaccine supplies, and to Rose and Paul of IndieFerm for hosting us.

 Thanks to our community's support, we raised $565 in vaccine fees and donations and collected pet food for local pet owners in need. We met so many sweet dogs (and a few brave cats)—and are hoping to make this an annual tradition! And don’t forget—IndieFerm is a dog-friendly brewery with fantastic craft beer and kombucha. Stop in with your pup!

Grand Opening: Cedarville Dog Park!

We’re proud to announce that Plymouth’s first dedicated dog park is officially open! This park became a reality thanks to the hard work of the town's Dog Park Committee, which included several of our own amazing Helping Hands' volunteers: Deb Balboni, Laurie Silva and Diane Walsh.

Grand Opening & Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony: June 5th at 11am

Location: 2199 State Road, Plymouth

The park features separate play areas for small and large dogs, shaded seating, water stations, and plenty of room to run. A few of our volunteers will be there on opening day—stop by, say hello, and come celebrate this exciting milestone with us! 

Golf For A Cause: Registration Opens Next Week!

Mark your calendars and shine your clubs—our 5th Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser is just around the corner! Enjoy a fun-filled day with raffle prizes, good food, great company, and friendly competition. Whether you're a golf pro, a weekend duffer, or just love our Helping Hands cause, this event is for you.

When: Saturday, September 13, 2025, 9:00 am Shotgun Start

Where: Squirrel Run Country Club, Plymouth, MA

 Stay tuned—registration opens next week! Proceeds directly 
support pet food, medical care, and emergency aid for local animals in need. 

Speaking of animals in need…

Zelda's Story

Zelda is an 8-year-old mutt with a story full of resilience and love. Rescued from a high-kill shelter, she’s been a loyal and joyful companion to her parents, Justin and Audra. Recently, Zelda was diagnosed with a rapidly growing spindle cell tumor on her head—a serious and aggressive condition that required urgent surgery. The plan was to remove as much of the tumor as possible, including her ear, and send the tissue off for testing to determine if the cancer was malignant.

 Justin and Audra had already faced significant medical bills for diagnostics and initial treatments and were struggling with the mounting expenses. That’s when they reached out to Plymouth Helping Hands for Animals for assistance.

 Thanks to your generous support, we were able to contribute to Zelda’s surgery and care at Wareham Animal Hospital, easing the financial burden on her family during this critical time.

Justin and Audra shared this heartfelt note with us:

“Beth, I could never in a lifetime thank you enough for helping save Zelda's life. I’m so overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support for our precious girl I don’t even have the words. You’re doing the most important work and I’m blown away at what a difference you’ve made for everyone and us. I know this illness will probably come back for her, hopefully later than sooner. But this dog has kept us laughing through some extremely dark times and I’m grateful for every extra minute with her. Thank you thank you, Audra & Justin.”

Zelda is now recuperating at home and doing well, with her family treasuring every moment with her. Stories like hers remind us why this work matters so much and why your support is vital—
helping local pets get the medical care they need to keep loving and being loved. 

It Takes a Village—And You’re a Vital Part of Ours

Every story we’ve shared in this newsletter—from Zelda’s life-saving surgery to a successful rabies clinic and the joy of opening Plymouth’s first dog park—was made possible because of you. 
But behind each success is the quiet, tireless work of our all-volunteer team, who show up every single day for the pets and people who need us.

Take this past Tuesday as just one example: our volunteers delivered cat food to a homebound senior, picked up donated supplies, restocked and staffed our pet food pantry at American Legion Post 40, and responded to urgent calls for financial aid—including a dog with lymphoma, a puppy having seizures, an elderly dog with anxiety who had stopped eating, and a cat suffering from severe dental disease. Volunteers also visited Veterinary Urgent Care and Vetco Total Care Clinic to pick up invoices and pay bills for: Tinka the cat who broke her leg; Bella, a 14-year-old dog who crossed the Rainbow Bridge; Sophie, who needed ear drops and antibiotics; and Max, who had a suspicious growth surgically removed. And through it all, we continue providing emotional support to struggling pet owners—and to one another—as we carry out our mission. All in a single day. 

But we need your help now more than ever. Due to an unprecedented volume of assistance requests this month, we’ve reached an all-time high in monthly expenditures to cover veterinary care for pets in need. The demand is real—and growing.

If you believe in this work and want to be part of the village that makes it all possible, please consider making a donation today. Your support keeps pets in loving homes and helps pet owners when they need it most.

Thank you for standing with us and making a real difference in the lives of animals who need it most.