Who We Are
The pantry began distributing pet food for dogs and cats in January 2016. We started with a skeleton crew of three volunteers (we now have 25 volunteers) and limited knowledge of how to run a pet food pantry and how to obtain donations of pet food. The first year we distributed a bit over 8,000 pounds of pet food. To date we have distributed well over 108,000 pounds (beginning of August 2020).
In addition to pet food the pantry now has various programs, free spay/neuter for both pets and feral/stray cats, a medical fund, free microchipping, and a fund to assist pet parents help their pets cross the Rainbow Bridge. (visit our Facebook page for a detailed description.)
We know that the pet parents who need financial help in caring for their pets would prefer doing it on their own if they could, so, we always try to make them feel comfortable, liked and respected. To this end we have (are and will) undertake small projects to achieve this objective. We have had many free of charge raffles where we donated gift baskets and gift cards, held small Christmas parties where the volunteers and some supporters provided gifts and cookies, had speakers, and a licensed massage therapist give chair massages.
In addition to pet food the pantry now has various programs, free spay/neuter for both pets and feral/stray cats, a medical fund, free microchipping, and a fund to assist pet parents help their pets cross the Rainbow Bridge. (visit our Facebook page for a detailed description.)
We know that the pet parents who need financial help in caring for their pets would prefer doing it on their own if they could, so, we always try to make them feel comfortable, liked and respected. To this end we have (are and will) undertake small projects to achieve this objective. We have had many free of charge raffles where we donated gift baskets and gift cards, held small Christmas parties where the volunteers and some supporters provided gifts and cookies, had speakers, and a licensed massage therapist give chair massages.
Willowick Pet Food Pantry by the Numbers:
Since September 2018, the Willowick Pet Food Pantry has issued 271 spay/neuter vouchers, representing 246 cats (of which, 33 were feral) & 96 dogs. Vouchers can cover multiple pets. The microchip program started in March 2020 & has issued 9 vouchers. The Pantry distributed 4,350 pounds of food in July 2020, for a total of 108,986 pounds since its inception in January of 2016! Since March 26, 2020, the Pantry's Medical Fund has paid $1,398 for the care of 19 cats (one feral) & 3 dogs.