About Us and Our Pets

  Welcome to the Honey Ferlin Foundation.  Thank you for taking a few moments of your time to browse our website. We hope you find it informative and helpful.  

Our names are Rich and Sandi. We are a husband and wife team who has been touched by the lives of our pets and the people at Great Lakes Veterinarian Specialists (GLVS).  If it weren't for their compassion, inspiration and support the Honey Ferlin Foundation would not exist.   

Rich likes to tell people he lives at the zoo and sleeps with the zoo-keeper.  That is because  I have a passion for all animals, wild and domestic.  Our yard in Munson Township is a designated wildlife habitat, certified by the National Wildlife Federation.

Rich and I both love animals and that concern and passion we extend to others with the Honey Ferlin Foundation, which is geared to help people who cannot afford extreme health-care bills for their pets.

In 2008 our 7-year old cocker spaniel, Honey, became ill, and we were willing to do anything to restore her health.

Our regular vet, Dr. Ramsey (West Geauga Vet in Chesterland) sent us to Great Lakes Veterinary Specialists in Bedford Heights where Dr. Bercovitch stayed late and confirmed Dr. Ramsey's prognosis. Honey had autoimmune hemolytic anemia, a blood disorder.  We spent a couple of thousand dollars, but Dr. Bercovitch had Honey stabilized and ready to come home where she did well for a few months.

Then over the next couple of months Honey had relapse after relapse and developed diabetes then seizures.  After further tests, treatments and medications, on August 21, 2008, Honey went into cardiac arrest and died.

By that time, our costs were $12,000.00.

That is when we began to wonder, "How do people who love their animals face bills of thousands of dollars?"

I recalled when my 11-year old golden retriever developed cancer in 1997 and I could not afford treatments at that time as a single mother.  I had to euthanize Shilo and it broke my heart..  

I know how devastating it is to lose a pet because you cannot afford treatment.

Our concerns led to the Honey Ferlin Foundation, to assist people in paying for emergency care for pets.  In order to be eligible, animals must be in an emergency or life-threatening situation and be referred to GLVS by their regular veterinarian..

Owners must have exhausted all means of financing and cannot afford treatment, forcing the animal to be euthanized.  All the cases must be referred to us through the Great Lakes Veterinary Specialists.

As of October 2008 we have granted close to $20,000. for 12 cases. (Please see our Photo page)

We have donated operating costs, attorney fees, and materials to the foundation.  I donate proceeds from my nature photography sales to the foundation as well.

We are trying to help people and pets who don't have the money or wherewithal and need cash to save their animals.  We need to raise funds.  We are trying to generate interest and awareness.

We are working hand in hand with Great Lakes Veterinary Specialists because we were touched by the staff and their compassion for what they do.

Please read about our experience with GLVS on our "About GLVS"page.

The Honey Ferlin Foundation is also in memory of my father, Ralph Worden who loved animals and loved helping people.  My world hasn't been the same without him.

                                           

 "Dogs have an internal spirit that keeps them aware of their companion's presence even when that particular companion is not present. Dogs are aware that the people caring for them were there because of you, and while you couldn't physically be there your dog's spirit felt your presence".

"One of our greatest sorrows when losing a dog is that we again realize that as humans we are not capable of the totally unconditional love given to us by our dogs. We try to meet that love with care, love and faithful companionship but we fall just short of a full understanding of how a dog's trust and love are so complete and without condition. Part of the grief is the feeling that we somehow let the dog down. That we didn't completely meet our responsibilities. After all, they depend on us. But, I believe we do meet our responsibilities as best as humanly possible (most of us anyway), and our canine companions understand our shortcomings as their part of their commitment to us".

"Dogs do not judge, they just love".

Thank you Ron Leuth www.pgaa.com