HELP FEEDING THE PETS These tough economic times are hard for everyone, not just the humans. The stories are mounting. Animals left in foreclosed homes, only to be heard by neighbors or found by real estate agents. More and more animals being surrendered to shelters and rescues or worse abandoned to the streets. What if it were you? How bad would it have to get before you have to give up your pets? We would all like to say “never” but what does that mean? Suze Orman can tell you how to cut back on non-essentials to trim your budget. What do you do when pet food goes on that list? In Dallas fortunately, you can make a call and get some help. In Dallas fortunately, you can help make a difference and help a pet family stay together. Here are a few programs going on right now trying to fill the needs of our community. The Hungry Snout In conjunction with the North Texas Food Bank, The Velvet Snout in Richardson starts the “Hungry Snout” Pet Food Donation Program on May 1st. -The program is designed to help-provide pet food donations to families that are suffering through tough economic times, and to stop more family pets from ending up in our local shelters. Velvet Snout General Manager Diana Hall says “I think it’s important for us to remember that when we suffer hard economic times, our pets do too, and when people have to choose between feeding their families or their pets, often, many family pets end up at our already over-crowded shelters.” “The Hungry Snout Program just seemed like a logical alternative.” “In our business we hear far too many tragic stories where Mom or Dad have gotten laid off, and sadly are no longer able to afford to feed and care for their pets.”--“ As a small business, we felt that we had to do something to help out where we could, so we decided a pet food donation program might offer a viable alternative for those pet owners who just need a little help.” Starting May 1st, 2009, anyone who stops by The Velvet Snout at 1230 E. Beltline Rd. in Richardson and donates a new bag of pet food (unexpired and unopened) will be given a certificate for a free day of dog daycare as a thank you. The North Texas Food Bank has agreed to help get those donations to the people that need it. Velvet Snout Owner Laura Couch says “The Velvet Snout is going to run this program as long as there is a need for it.” “We really hope someday soon that there’s no longer a need, but for now, sadly, that’s just not the case.” For additional information on how you can donate to the Hungry Snout Program please contact The Velvet Snout Canine Adventure Center, call 972-907-3647 or visit www.thevelvetsnout.com. To obtain the food donations, contact the North Texas Food Bank at 214-330-1396. www.ntfb.org or go to the Food Bank directly at 4500 S. Cockrell Hill Road Dallas, Texas 75236. Help for Pets of the Homeless Many of the homeless who own pets are have elected to stay on the streets because shelters will not take pets. Rather than give up their “fur-children”, they continue the commitment made when they became “pet parents”. Without this help, pets may be surrendered to animal shelters and never find another owner, many times resulting in euthanization. Many homeless are not homeless because they desire it. They are homeless due to natural disasters (such as Rita and Katrina), spousal abuse, loss of jobs, foreclosed homes, and other unexpected and unprepared for events. At some time in everyone’s life, most need a hand up, help with belief in ourselves and our future. Pets give unconditional love and are often the reason homeless persons are able to believe in themselves again. The homeless soon begin to think that if the pet loves them, perhaps they are worthy of love after all. Imagine that same person receiving help through food for his pet and what that can accomplish. Feeding Pets of the Homeless handles donations of pet food from the public for domestic pets of the homeless at gathering points throughout the county. The organization picks food up from specific locations and delivers to distribution locations near where the homeless congregate. The homeless come with their pets to pick up their pet’s needed food supply. Our donation stations are located within pet businesses, such as vets, groomers, pet day care facilities, etc. Our business, The Pet Chauffeur, now partners with “Feeding Pets of the Homeless” in the Dallas and Tarrant counties to distribute the foods for the pets of the homeless. All food donated in Dallas County stays in Dallas County for the benefit of the pets of the homeless in that area. In the next several weeks we will be contacting different pet services to ask for a small space where a small bin for food donations and jar for cash donations can be positioned. A volunteer from Pets of the Homeless will arrive weekly to pick up the donated food and maintenance the bin area. Individuals can also call us at 469-360-2774 to pick up a donation directly and give a receipt. Money donations are also welcomed. However, the focus is on canned and bagged animal food. 100% of proceeds go to feed the pets of the homeless. Both sealed and open bags are accepted. The group needs your help. Even without a personal donation of food or money, they need your strength and help in loading and transporting food from place to place. For more info email Executive Director, Genevieve Frederick, at info@petsofthehomeless.org go to www.petsofthehomeless.org or contact Julie Grant, Area Director of Dallas and Tarrant Counties at 469-360-2774. Network of Community Ministries Gives pet food to those in need. For more information on getting pet food call 972-234-8880. They are also in need of additional donations of unopened, unexpired pet food. For either, head directly to Network at 741 S. Sherman Richardson, TX 75081. All Networks’s services are free of charge serving these zip codes: 75042-75044-75080-75081-75082-75083-75231-75238-75240-75243-75248-75251- 75252-75254. www.thenetwork.org. How You Can Help: Donate dog and cat food. * Unopened bags for the North Texas Food Bank. Deliver to the Velvet Snout in Richardson and receive a gift certificate for doggie day care. * Opened or sealed dog and cat food bags and unopened cans for the Pets of the Homeless. Call 469-360-2774 for a drop of location near you. * Unopened, unexpired pet food to Network at 741 S. Sherman Richardson, TX 75081. 972-234-8880. Volunteer to help * Delivery and/or pick up of pet foods. No car necessary, just strength! Call Julie at 469-360-2774. * Call the North Texas Food Bank 214.330.1396. www.ntfb.org or go to the Food Bank at 4500 S. Cockrell Hill Road Dallas, Texas 75236. They are busy and always need a extra set of hands. Create Pet Food Collection Points * Consider letting your business become a collection point for pet foods. Let your local pet businesses know about Help for Pets of the Homeless. Call Julie for more details 469-360-2774. If You Need Help to Feed Your Pets Call: * North Texas Food Bank 214.330.1396 * Pets of the Homeless 469-360-2774 * Network 972-234-8880 Any way that you can help is appreciated by so many. A special thank you to all of those volunteers helping in and around our community. If you know of other organizations reaching out, please let us know at City + Country Pets Magazine, 214-368-3658 or email miller@ccpets.com. By Elizabeth Miller. This article was made possible with special help from our very own Santa. Thank you.