Dear Tripawds Family,

From our earliest days as a global community, we've enjoyed the privilege of being a refuge from politics, religion and controversial current affairs. We believe this unspoken rule has enabled every member to feel safe and supported on their amputation journey. But have they really?

Today we are breaking our no-politics or controversial topics rule, out of respect for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and thousands of other people of color who have died at the hands of institutional racism, police brutality and an unjust country that devalues their lives.

This is not about politics or hot-button issues. This is about taking a stand in a nation that denies millions of citizens basic rights that many of us take for granted. This is about looking in the mirror, and re-examining our own attitudes about race.

This is about doing our part toward making things right.

This community cannot claim to be a haven from the ills of society if we do not take action to put an end to the violence, the oppression and the hatred experienced by millions. For if people of all races, ethnicities and backgrounds do not feel safe, supported and valued in their own neighborhoods, workplaces and schools, then why should they trust us to provide emotional comfort when their cat or dog needs a leg amputated? 

We want to be the trusted community we say we are. Tripawds is speaking up to take a stand against racism and injustice.

We stand for inclusiveness and non-judgmental help for every member who needs it.

We support grass-roots organizations doing the hard work to create an equitable, fair and inclusive America and are looking for ways to effect change in our own communities.  We hope you will too.

Please take time to learn how you can help kick-start change in your community by checking out the following:

• Anti-Racism Resources
• 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice
• Dear White People: Here Are 10 Actions You Can Take To Promote Racial Justice In The Workplace
• 4 Steps That I and Other White People Can Take to Fight Racism

Thank you for reading this far. But please don't just read, DO SOMETHING! Stand up for justice, do your homework, donate to organizations making a difference, help spread peace.

Your thoughts and feelings are valued and respected, but in the interest of staying true to our focus on helping amputee pets and their people, we are turning off comments and ask that you do not start a new forum topic about this matter. This is not the place. Instead we hope you will keep this discussion going with your families, and in your home community.

Sincerely,

The Tripawds Foundation Board of Directors

Rene Agredano
Jim Nelson
Ralph Kanz
Martha Lowe