Veterinarians are witnessing some sad situations.
In this difficult economic time, some veterinarians said people are having to make tough decisions, and one of those is giving up their pets.
Dr. Kristy Williams and Dr. Barbara Butchko of Meadows Veterinary Clinic, along with Joy Belsley, treasurer of Food 4 Paws, want to help people keep their pets.
The trio, along with other veterinarians, business owners and concerned citizens, formed Food 4 Paws, an organization dedicated to collecting pet food to distribute to needy pet owners.
The mission statement of the group is “to provide ... food (temporarily) for dogs and cats whose owners might otherwise be forced to surrender their pets to a shelter. We believe that pets are important members of many families. By helping to keep those pets in their homes, we hope to maintain the human-animal bond that is so important — especially in difficult times.”
Food 4 Paws will open March 1 at the Meadows Veterinary Clinic. Williams, who is now retired, said she is donating the space to store the donated pet food.
Ironically, Williams said the reason she has the extra space is because people are not boarding their pets as much because they cannot afford to go on vacation.
“As the economy is struggling, animals are one of the first casualties. Shelters are seeing an increase of people giving up pets and not adopting,” Butchko said.
Nationwide, 84 percent of shelter officials said they are seeing an increase in the number of pets that are being dropped off, Williams said.
Locally, Butchko said the shelters are no different.
“They said people just can’t afford their pets anymore.”
Especially sad, Butchko said, are the elderly clients who cannot afford to feed their pets.
“They’re feeding them human food,” Belsley said.
Williams said the pantry will offer pet food for up to two dogs and two cats for each qualifying owner. Owners must complete an application, provide proof that their pet has been spayed or neutered and has an up-to-date rabies vaccination and provide proof there is a financial need.
A two-week supply of food, based on the pet’s weight, will be distributed every other week for up to six months. After that time, pet owners have to reapply for the program.
If approved, pet owners will be able to pick up the food from the clinic from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.
In order to make the program successful, Williams said they will make the food pantry a 501(c)(3), or non-profit organization, so donations are tax deductible.
Donations will be an integral part of ensuring the program’s success. Butchko said they have received some monetary donations, but they will place money barrels around town for additional funds. People are also asked to donate unopened dog or cat food, pet food coupons, brown paper sacks, Ziploc bags, labels and new 33- to 50-gallon garbage cans.
Volunteers are needed to help distribute food, place and pick up donation barrels and organize fundraisers.
Before they open March 1, Williams said their goal is to collect $10,000. Checks can be made out to: Food 4 Paws, 573 Pheasant Trail, Metamora, IL 61548.
“We feel like we need stocked shelves before we open. We don’t know what the need is,” she said.
Eventually, Williams said they would like to get corporate sponsorships for the program.
“I’m not doing this for competition. I’m retired. I want to give back to the community that’s been so good to me,” Williams said.
For more information, call 573-7087.
East Peoria, Ill. —
