Buster’s Brigade meets basic, emergency needs of area dogs, cats

Buster’s Brigade, an Austintown-based nonprofit organization, is committed to providing financial and material assistance for the basic and emergency needs of dogs and cats in Mahoning County and surrounding areas.

The goal of Buster’s Brigade is to work within the community to help families keep their pets healthy and at home. The 501(c)3 organization received its tax-exempt status in 2018.

The organization’s board of directors include Jacquelyn LeViseur, president; Trish Collins, vice president; Rodd Coonce, secretary; and Donna Sekman, treasurer. Board members include Christopher Sekman and Dr. Jennifer Anderson, doctor of veterinary medicine.

Contact information: Buster’s Brigade, P.O. Box 4050, Austintown, Ohio 44515. Website: www.bustersbrigade.org…:

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Buster’s story

From the organization: “Buster was a beautiful dog who was tragically misunderstood and, therefore, not given a chance at a happy life. At Buster’s Brigade, he is our inspiration to give every dog and cat in need a chance at that happy, healthy life.

Our mission is to supply community members with preventative medical care and food, in times of hardship, for their dogs and cats, as well as assist with rehoming when needed. 

Buster reminds us to advocate for those who need help and to educate the public on ways to get that help. He is our motivation to show that if we all work together, we can be the hearts that hug, the hands that seek to provide for and protect, and the voices who speak up for the dogs and cats in our community.”

Mission

The nonprofit’s mission is to help the community in the following areas:

• The Buster’s Brigade pet food pantry focuses on making sure families who need temporary pet food assistance receive help through local food pantries associated with Second Harvest Food Bank. To date, Buster’s Brigade has donated 28,000 pounds of dog and cat food.
• The organization works with families that can no longer keep their dogs or cats due to illness, age or financial constraints. To date, the group has helped 51 pets find new homes.
• Buster’s Brigade continues to help pay veterinarian bills for pets whose owners cannot afford the treatment necessary to bring their pets back to health. Buster’s has helped 97 families with $38,000 in veterinarian expenses since its inception.
• Through grants from Ohio Pet Fund, Buster’s Brigade has spayed or neutered 50 pets, in addition to its veterinarian program.
• Buster’s Brigade continues to work within the community by providing resources to local law enforcement. In response to requests from local police departments, the organization has provided 14 microchip scanners, repaired kennels for two police departments, and built two additional kennels for a third police department. Buster’s has donated and continue to supply all necessary equipment needed for the kennels.
• The organization has partnered with Youngstown State University’s Pre-Veterinary Society to provide low-cost vaccine clinics twice a year. The clinics include free wellness exams by licensed veterinarians, as well as low-cost tests and vaccines. The organization has serviced 438 dogs, cats, ferrets and rabbits. 

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Pet Clinic set for Saturday, April 23 at YSU

The Marjorie Hartman Family Foundation Pet Clinic is scheduled for 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, April 23 at YSU Lot M32, located at the corner of Adams and Walnuts streets in Youngstown. The event will be hosted by the YSU Pre-Veterinary Society and Buster’s Brigade.

During the clinic, licensed veterinarians will administer vaccines and do blood tests. All vaccines and services are cash only. All animals are welcome, but pets must be on a leash or in a carrier.

The following vaccines and tests will be available:

• Rabies, $5.
• Bordetella, $15.
• Dog combo: distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, parvo and lepto, $15.
• Cat combo: rhino, calici, panleukopenia, chlamydia and feline leukemia, $15.
• Heartworm test, $10.
• Fecal flotation, $5.
• Microchip placement, $25.
• FeLV/FIV, $10.
• Nail cutting, free.

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