For someone who is homebound, their pets can be the most important companion in their life. These furry friends ensure that people have something that brings them delight and love.
As animal lovers, we are committed to helping homebound people and their pets thrive in their homes. That’s why the Council on Aging has a program called Pet Pals. The program provides pet food, supplies, and veterinary care to Meals on Wheels recipients to make sure that they never have to choose between taking care of themselves or their companions.
We’re hosting a Food Fur All donation drive to help seniors on fixed incomes afford their pet food and supplies.
Rising costs are putting financial strain on the many of the seniors we currently serve. We currently donate pet food and supplies to 73 seniors with 110 pets ranging from dogs and kittens to a cockatiel. Over the last year, we have covered $26,000 in food and vet expenses.
Having support from Pet Pals is a lifeline for seniors.
This program is necessary because:
- We don’t want seniors to have to choose between feeding and caring for themselves or their companions. Nearly one third of Meals on Wheels clients nationwide say they have gone without their own medical care or other personal needs to provide for their furry friends.
- We want pets to stay in their homes with their people. 88% of our participants said that the Pet Pals program helps them keep their pets, meaning that they don’t have to make those tough decisions.
- 92% of our participants said their pets help with their mental health and physical health. One client with sleep apnea says her cat pounces on her chest when she stops breathing at night, and he has likely saved her life.
Check out this video to see how Pet Pals has helped our clients.
Why we need your help:
- As prices continue to increase, our budget is stretched thinner each day. We have had to reduce the number of pets per household we serve.
- Our funding only covers Meals on Wheels participants in Bend, Sisters, and La Pine, and we know the need exists across Central Oregon. Help us expand out to Madras, Prineville, and Redmond.
- According to the U.S. Surgeon General, isolation and loneliness has become an epidemic in our nation. We know that keeping pets with their people provides benefits to seniors’ mental health and is an effective way to combat the loneliness epidemic.
Here’s how you can help.
We are looking for unopened dog and cat food (cans, kibble, treats, etc.) and supplies such as leashes, collars, harnesses, cat litter, and litter boxes.
Donate pet food and supplies at our Senior Services Center at 1036 NE 5th St. in Bend, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
We are looking for additional funding to help cover the costs for spay/neuter, vaccines, wellness checks, microchips, and nail trims for 100 animals over the next year. Monetary donations will provide much-needed vet care to our furry friends.
Here are some ways to donate:
- Visit www.councilonaging.org/donate and write a comment that it’s for Pet Pals.
- Contribute through our fundraiser on Facebook.
- 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!
