Grants provide over 7,000 pounds of pet food to the homeless in Reno, NV
Posted: 4/27/2010 by Genevieve Frederick
Pets of the Homeless received a grant for $2,584 from the WHC Foundation, a local private foundation that makes small grants exclusively to animal organizations that are 501(c ) (3) entities. Their hope is to inspire other private foundations to follow suit.
WHC Foundation expressed delight to know the money will be used locally to provide food for dogs and cats belonging to the homeless in Reno. A WHC director said, "Pets of the homeless are so overlooked by society. The homeless have countless challenges in their daily lives and their pets are one of their only comforts. Their pets need and deserve daily nourishment."
We contacted Paul Jolly, Vice President/Director of the PETCO Foundation. Mr. Jolly agreed to match the WHC grant with pet food from the Carson City PETCO store. This week volunteers picked up a partial shipment of over 1,700 pounds of dog and cat food at PETCO and delivered a number of bags to the Community Assistance Center on Record Street in Reno which has a Family Shelter, Men’s Shelter, Women’s Shelter, a Triage Center and tent city. Due to the small storage area where the pet food will be stored and distributed, volunteers from Pets of the Homeless will make weekly deliveries until such time as the estimated 7,000 pounds of pet food is exhausted.
Homeless coordinator, Krista Lee, explained that 7-10 pets living in the tent city and over 75 pets that live in nearby hotels will receive the donated pet food. Because of the grant and matching funds from PETCO, pet food will be provided daily instead of weekly for these pets of the homeless. Most possessions of the homeless are carried in a backpack so the center has volunteers who repackage the pet food into smaller bags.
The SPCA of Reno offers vaccine clinics and encourages spaying and neutering. It was interesting to learn how many homeless think breeding their dogs provides a way to make money by selling the puppies. Education is vital to stop this practice.
FUZE