For many seniors, fur babies are like a best friend. They smile with their tails and love you just the way you are. But for some people, it’s not always easy to get to the pet store, and vet bills can add up. That’s why the Council on Aging of Central Oregon offers the Pet Pals Program. We deliver monthly pet food and supplies and assist with basic veterinary care for Meals on Wheels clients.
This September, we’re hosting our Food Fur All fundraiser to benefit this program. Your donation will support our free clinics, in-home veterinary care, dry and wet food, as well as supplies like beds, cat litter, treats, and carriers.
We do this to ensure that seniors like Phillip never have to choose between caring for themselves or their cherished pet.
Pets provide physical and mental support to seniors, especially to those who are homebound. Having a cat, dog, or even a cockatiel has been shown to significantly reduce the feelings of loneliness and social isolation, lower stress and anxiety, and increase cognitive engagement.
When you support our Food Fur All campaign, your donation goes a long way. Not only are you helping to improve the well-being of Meals on Wheels clients and their pets, but you will also be matched by anonymous individual donors and Cascade Natural Gas, who is providing a grant through the Oregon Low-Income Bill Assistance program.
Here are some ways to donate:
- Visit www.councilonaging.org/donate and write a comment that it’s for Pet Pals.
- Send a check and note that it’s for Pet Pals. Please send your donation to:
The Council on Aging, 1036 NE 5th Street, Bend, OR 97701. Please include your email address, phone number and return address so we can thank you! Our tax identification number is: 93-0661229
If you’d like to learn more about our Pet Pals program or volunteer to deliver food, visit www.councilonaging.org/pet-pals.
Thank you for helping seniors and pets in our community!
