We sent the following letter out to subscribers to our e-mail updates on April 12th.If you would like to receive updates via e-mail, sign up here!

Dear Friends to Animals,

It has been said that “no good deed goes unpunished” and it seems to fit the efforts of the Associated Humane Societies and Patrick.

The Society has received several complaints from donors who are upset that we have had to copyright Patrick and his likeness. The rescue of this dog took place almost a month ago. It was not our intention to copyright this subject for if it was, it would have been done a few weeks ago. The Society has received over 200-300 e-mails requesting Patrick's photo. Of that number, many want to use it to solicit funds for their own purposes. Many are selling t-shirts, keychains and other items. There are other entities that are using it to raise funds for Patrick's care but are not using it for that purpose. We have found it necessary to not only protect Patrick and the consumer but to protect our interests. The Society has a huge budget and needs to raise the necessary funds as there will be more such dogs like Patrick that will come along and we need our funds to continue our work.

When a corpse-like skeletal figure was brought to the Society, the near-death dog was stabilized after many hours before he went for critical care treatment at an outside facility.

Because he had been thrown down a garbage chute from the 19th floor and was so emaciated, he needed to be saved by us. It would have been easier to euthanize this pathetic dog, but true to our mission, we wanted to save this dog. If he had the will to live, he would survive. We never realized that he would become a cause célèbre to our state … the nation and the world. Through various websites, we are being harshly criticized that this was done for the money. Sadly, many individuals, entities and groups are using Patrick’s story and pictures to raise money for their own purposes. Many so-called animal rights people have hurled baseless charges at us – even though they have never been at any of our facilities.

We could never have known what a symbol this dog has become. Many of the dogs rescued by the Associated Humane Societies were treated badly and abused, and we opened our doors and our hearts for all of them. Patrick is the man of the hour – just as so many that have come before him.

In honor of Patrick, our Res-Q Fund will now be called the Patrick Rescue Fund – one life, one purpose – to help other animals and to end cruelty. Won’t you join us.

Thank you for your wonderful support.

All of us here at AHS/Popcorn Park