Meet “Chase” Davis, the beloved Pit Bull mix adopted 12 years ago from the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter by Patrick and Jill Davis of Grand Island, NY. Chase lost his battle with brain cancer during the week of Thanksgiving 2020.
The employees of Utilant, an enterprise software company based in Buffalo, NY have helped to drive this
GoFundMe effort to donate to the Friends of the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter in memory of Chase, their beloved office pet. Chase came into the Utilant office almost daily for the past 11 years, contributing to Utilant’s company culture with his welcoming personality and fun loving spirit.
As you can see, the
GoFundMe effort honoring Chase has raised over $15,000 since it launched on December 9. The Davis’ and Utilant’s employees have given over 75% of the money, with the remaining support coming from friends and family. The Davis‘ have matched all donations both internal and external to the company to date, and have committed to a continued 100% match until a sum of $20K in total donations is reached. Donations will be accepted through December 25, 2020, however, donation matching will stop when $20K has been reached.
At a time when shelters, rescues, and breeders nationally have reported increased demands due to American’s seeking the comfort of a pet during the pandemic, the Davis’ have taken the opportunity to allow those impacted by the loss of Chase to remember him in a meaningful way.
Mayor Byron W. Brown stated, “The COVID-19 global health pandemic has touched everyone in some way, including our pets, who for many, are a constant source of comfort. I thank Utilant CEO Patrick Davis and his wife, Jill, as well as Utilant employees, for honoring the memory of their beloved “Chase” by raising over $15,000 to date for the Friends of the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter.”
Raising support for the Friends of the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter will enable the financial support of the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter and its services to the Buffalo community and neighboring areas. The city animal shelter has fewer resources than the SPCA and can use your help this holiday season!
“The Friends of the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter is an all-volunteer organization whose primary mission is to raise funds and provide financial support for the Shelter through critical and preventative veterinary care, training for Shelter dogs in need, and management of the volunteer and foster care programs,” said Jill Re, Board member.
More information about Friends of the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter: Friends of the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter exists to promote the health and welfare of animals cared for by the City of Buffalo. Priorities include promoting and funding critical & preventive vet care, adopting dogs and cats, foster care, hospice & palliative care, and community education services. Website:
Friends of CBAS Website With this fundraiser, we are supporting the following programs run by Friends of the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter: Medical Fund - This is the general medical fund that pays for all the needs of the animals above and beyond basic medical care. Sometimes there are several traumas coming through the door in just one day, and the shelter needs additional funding to pay for it. We're proud to say we've never had to say no to funding one of these emergencies.
Special Paws and Silver Whiskers - This program benefits animals that have lifelong medical needs or are seniors but still deserve to be adopted. Reduced or waived adoption fees are provided and often pay for a short period of the animal's needs after adoption to get their family started.
Train-A-Bull - Every animal deserves a chance to be adopted, and some pets need more work than others. If a dog needs additional work, they work with reputable local trainers to give that animal everything it needs to succeed, including a formed committee of dedicated volunteers. This ensures that these select volunteers train the same way and continue the work each day.
Adoption Vehicle Fund - This is a fund dedicated to purchasing a new adoption wagon for taking dogs and cats to adoption events all around WNY.
More about the Davis’:
About Chase: He was a very good boy that spent many of his days at the office sleeping and getting biscuits from co-workers. On his days off, he enjoyed boating, sleeping, and eating. He will be missed by everyone that knew him.
About Chase's parents: Jill and Patrick Davis reside in Grand Island, NY. Patrick is the CEO of a local technology company named Utilant LLC with a headquarters in Buffalo, NY. We care for our companion animals and implore everyone to adopt instead of purchasing your next dog or cat. Many animals in shelters need homes, and for each one that gets adopted, that's one more spot open for an animal stuck on the street to have a chance.
PAST UPDATES: UPDATE 12/15/2020: We have a new sponsor, my company, Utilant LLC, who will be helping with the campaign, and our employees have so far donated a large portion of our total so far. As the CEO and founder, my wife and I will continue to match donations up to $20,000 in total donations at 100% matching. We have updated the goal to $20,000 and will re-share the campaign on Friday 12/18 to try and hit our goal by 12/24!
UPDATE 12/11/2020: WOW! We reached our goal of $13,000 in less than 24 hours! Thank you everyone for your generous donations. From $14,000K - $20,000 we will extend our matching but at 100%, donate $100 and we will match $100 for a total of $200.
UPDATE 12/09/2020: To accomplish this, Chase and his family will match your donation by 300%. For example, if you donate $100, our family will match you an additional $300 for a total donation of $400, if you donate $50 our family will match you $150 for a total donation of $200. This allows your donation to have 4x the impact this holiday season! This matching will occur until we hit the combined goal of $13,000 in donations. The city animal shelter has fewer resources than the SPCA and can use your help this holiday season!
