The Sasha-Bean Memorial Fund
Sasha-Bean was a senior stray at Wake County Animal Shelter in May 2017. Her owners never came for her, despite having a microchip for just such a situation. CCONC co-founder Colleen was asked to foster this sweet girl due to her love of and experience with Cocker Spaniels.
Bloodwork and urinalysis helped the rescue's veterinarians quickly discover Sasha-Bean had Fanconi Syndrome. In September 2017, Sasha-Bean's kidney values improved enough for anesthesia, so she was spayed and went to an approved adopter.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Sasha-Bean was returned to rescue just one week later. Colleen happily welcomed her back into her home. For the next six months, Sasha-Bean remained a foster with rescue until Colleen and her husband Keith "foster-failed" and adopted her on St. Patrick's Day 2018.
With the guidance of Dr. Shana Silverstein at Shiloh Animal Hospital in Morrisville, Sasha-Bean enjoyed good health until she succumbed to her disease on Christmas morning 2019.
CCONC created the Sasha-Bean Memorial Fund to honor the joy for life Sasha-Bean exuded and the passion for reducing pet overpopulation to which Colleen devotes her time and energy.
Previous Awardees
2024 - Harmony Animal Rescue Clinic
Harmony Animal Rescue Clinic is the only nonprofit animal rescue clinic on the east coast that caters exclusively to rescue groups, helping animal rescue organizations save more lives by providing timely, low-cost veterinary care. This year's grant will help them continue meeting the increased need in our community for spay and neuter.
2023 - Rocky's Bridge
Rocky's Bridge was formed to raise funds for spay and neuter, TNR and medical cases. Our grant helped them with medical cases and spay/neuter for special cases.
2022 - Friends of Wake County Animal Shelter
The Friends of Wake County Animal Center put the funds to work as part of their Pit Stop Spay/Neuter program, which makes spaying and neutering affordable for pit and pit mix dog owners in Wake County.
2021 - Saving Grace
Saving Grace Animals for Adoption, a nonprofit organization dedicated to lowering euthanasia rates and promoting adoption in North Carolina, aspires to foster lifelong connections between well-deserving dogs and families, placing them in successful, nurturing homes. Through support, guidance, education, and service their compassionate volunteer-powered group commits to create a positive, sustainable impact within the community.
2020 - Granville County Animal Shelter
Granville County Animal Shelter is working hard to save dogs in the surrounding areas. We love their spirit and dedication and that’s why were the recipients of the first Sasha-Bean Memorial Grant. Funding was used on spay/neuter initiatives, helping to reduce the number of homeless dogs.