Recent grant from the Petco Foundation funds crucial department during this time
Many families are struggling to make ends meet, but the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) of Wake County is working to keep families and their pets together by expanding their pet food assistance programs.
SPCA Wake’s Community Initiatives Department does its best work where pets and people meet. Over the past few months, this department has been crucial in SPCA Wake’s response to COVID-19, because it is responsible for the organization’s pet food assistance programs.
Said Darci VanderSlik of SPCA Wake: “We are honored to announce a $9,000 grant from the Petco Foundation has helped in furthering our outreach initiatives, allowing lifesaving programs to continue running. Because of the department’s continued existence, staff has been able to increase pet food assistance to reflect the growing needs of the community.”
SPCA Wake’s AniMeals program was started in 2011 and provides pet food and supplies to low-income, homebound seniors. The program allows participants to care for their beloved pets without cutting their own meals or medications to pay for pet food. One AniMeals recipient said, “This program is helpful especially for low-income seniors like me, who struggle and use their food stamps for pet food.” Recently, SPCA Wake partnered with Meals on Wheels of Wake County and the Food Bank to provide assistance to even more pet owners. Since late March, SPCA Wake’s monthly pet food assistance programs have more than doubled.
SPCA Wake’s Pet Adoption Center is closed to the public due to COVID-19, but adoption appointments are still being scheduled over the phone. For more information, visit spcawake.org/appointments.
________
The SPCA of Wake County serves the central region of NC, actively working in 25 NC counties through collaborative partnerships that save pets and help people. Significant activities include: Decreasing the number of animals entering animal shelters, increasing the number of animals leaving these shelters, and changing the hearts and minds of our community to value all companion animals. SPCA Wake’s mission is to transform the lives of pets and people through protection, care, education, and adoption. Their vision is to create a humane community.
The Petco Foundation believes that every animal deserves to live its best life. Since 1999, they have invested more than $280 million in lifesaving animal welfare work to make that happen. With more than 4,000 animal welfare partners, The Petco Foundation inspires and empowers communities to make a difference by investing in adoption and medical care programs, spay and neuter services, pet cancer research, service and therapy animals, and numerous other lifesaving initiatives. Through the Think Adoption First program, the foundation partners with Petco stores and animal welfare organizations across the country to increase pet adoptions. So far, we’ve helped more than 6.5 million pets find their new loving families, and we’re just getting started. Visit www.petcofoundation.org to learn more.
Source: Beth Schulman, SPCA of Wake County
