There are so many up-sides to having pets – dogs, cats and a whole range of animals bring so much joy and happiness to their “people.” Our furry friends depend on their owners to provide them food, shelter and medical care.
But what happens when money is tight? Where can pet owners get help?
Amanda Arrington, with Access to Care of the Humane Society of the United States, spoke with WIZS’s Bill Harris on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny! to talk about some options.
Arrington said that HSUS has some long-standing programs – including Pets for Life and Rural Area Veterinary Services (RAVS) – that provide direct services to pet owners who live in poverty or in underserved areas of the nation.
There’s a new program called “More Than A Pet” whose mission is to address some of the inequalities that pet owners face.
“This is not a new problem,” she said, “but inflation and the pandemic have exacerbated the issues.” Barriers to basic care and access to resources include transportation, language, time and finances.
People love their pets and so many get treated like family, so when pet owners can’t provide food or medical care for whatever reason, it causes emotional and mental distress, Arrington said.
Pet owners who are facing any of these challenges should look for help locally, she suggested. Animal service providers and shelters may be able to offer some relief.
“We can’t promise access to everyone,” but the HSUS does have a list of resources on its website that could help.
The HSUS is working on a national level to distribute food and supplies across the nation to those in need. In 2022 alone, in partnership with Chewy, more than 500 truckloads of pet food valued at $22 million were delivered across the country.
Visit https://www.humanesociety.org/more-than-a-pet to learn more.
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