DEAR PAW’S CORNER: Last year, pandemic lockdowns, job losses and financial instability caused many families, along with their pets, to experience food insecurity. Because groceries are a higher priority for families than pet food, many pets got less to eat or lived off table scraps, which can be unhealthy over the long term.
In 2020, local shelters, businesses and other groups came together to collect donations of food or money to purchase food and supplies for pets. These were a great help. However, we’re not out of the woods yet. Rising prices due to inflation and supply chain issues, plus continued financial instability, means that many pets will go hungry again this year. Can Paw’s Corner readers rise to the occasion again this year and help neighbors and their pets to stay fed and healthy? — Shelter Volunteer in Wichita, Kansas
DEAR VOLUNTEER: You’ve done just that, and I thank you! This holiday season, I know my readers will make the effort to help pets through donations of food, supplies and cash.
But maybe you’re a new pet owner or have never donated before. Maybe you don’t even have a pet right now, but want to help. There are so many choices out there. My advice is to pick just one way to help, because no contribution is too small. Pet food supplier Chewy has a great article on its website with ways to help: https://be.chewy.com/pet-food-banks/
Local shelters often do community outreach to help feed pets, so owners can keep their pets and not surrender them. Contact the nearest pet shelter, either by email or phone, and ask what type of donations they need. Your contribution will go directly to that shelter, so you’ll know the impact you’re making.
Send your questions, comments or tips to [email protected].
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