Maryland SPCA receives $1 million gift
When I read yesterday about Kenneth Munzert, who instructed much of his $1 million plus estate go toward the care of dogs whose owners had died, I wondered how that gift compared to what other shelters have received. Munzert lived in Federal Hill but had ties to Richmond, Va., and left the money to the Richmond SPCA.
I learned that the Maryland SPCA received its most generous donation ever just this year. Caroline Fisher, who was a modest giver during her life, left more than $1 million to the Maryland SPCA in her will, said Aileen Gabbey, executive director of the shelter.
"As with most bequests, we did not know about it, so it was a pleasant surprise," she said. She's not certain how the money will be used yet but said it will go a long way.
Gabbey said that the Maryland SPCA has begun a program called Legacy of Care, where owners can plan ahead and leave funds for the care of their animals after they're gone. (The animals would go to a foster family and then an adoptive home.)
At Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter Inc., a dog was brought in several days ago because its owner had died. "More and more people are thinking of their animals ahead of time. That's great," said Jennifer Mead-Brause, executive director of BARCS. "But it's not nearly enough."
SUN ARCHIVE PHOTO/Family members meet their new dog, Sage, at the Maryland SPCA on Falls Road.
Comments
I had no idea about Ms. Fisher's gift. What a terrific legacy. Would love to find out more about her. Please keep up the good work.
Posted by: PeterJ | March 12, 2009 4:15 PM
What a wonderful gift to the animals! I adopted my dog from the MD SPCA and they will always be a part of my giving. I'm delighted to learn this news!
Posted by: Audrey | March 12, 2009 8:26 PM
I wish i could thank her for her kindness and generosity. If her family is reading this, please accept my condolences and appreciation for the amazing gift that Ms. Fisher has left to BARCS.
Posted by: Shireen Gonzaga | March 12, 2009 9:46 PM
I, too, would love to learn more about Ms. Fisher. Very generous of her.
Posted by: Sandra Crockett | March 13, 2009 9:29 AM
Hi Shireen - To clarify, Ms. Fisher left the money to the MDSPCA, not BARCS. These shelters are often confused. BARCS is the city shelter behind the stadium and they certainly could use a $1 million donation! Hopefully they will be blessed with such generosity one day.
Posted by: strawberry | March 13, 2009 12:26 PM
Big donations like these are so wonderful, as are the small, consistant ones. These days shelters are more stressed than ever as people have to leave their homes and cannot find rental spaces that allow their animals.
I answer questions for the Veterinary Advice Line and Allexperts. I am saddened by the number of health questions I receive about litters of kittens and puppies people have just purposefully produced. With all the extra animals going to the shelters, every person needs to have their animals spayed and neutered and not breed right now unless they are expertly improving the health of their breeds (and I feel the holistic approaches are the best way to improve health).
Posted by: Christina Chambreau | March 16, 2009 6:41 PM