Pet Pantries Help Those in Need
by Micaela Myers
Driving around Laramie, I noticed all the adorable “free little libraries.” I’d also heard of ones offering human food. I’m a big fan of programming that helps people keep their pets and avoid shelter surrenders. I thought, why not a “free little pet pantry” for those needing pet food? I knew the local food bank had requests for pet food, but that wasn’t their primary focus. I also knew the local women’s shelter needed pet supplies. And I was sure many other folks in our community did as well. I asked Laramie Animal Welfare Society if they’d be willing to have the pantry at their building, and they agreed!
I got a donated hutch, sanded it, painted it with outdoor paint, did a poly coat to help protect it from the elements, and added wallpaper. An employee at Bloedorn Lumber donated a tin roof, and PopUp Paint Party helped with our sign. I didn’t know what the demand would be like. I posted about the pantry on the various Facebook classified pages, took a flyer to the women’s shelter and made business cards with the info for the soup kitchen to distribute. At first, I thought I’d be able to stock it once or twice a week, but I quickly found the need was much greater than I’d anticipated! I found I’d need to check it daily, putting out small amounts each time. Laramie Animal Welfare Society donated extra food they had on hand. Community members have also been dropping off food and supplies, and I’ve purchased some myself. We’re only a couple months into it, but I hope it will become self sustaining.
While I haven’t found other communities who use this same type of pantry, it turns out many communities around Wyoming offer pet food to those in need. Here are a few responses I received to my inquiries (in alphabetical order):
Casper: “We have a pet food pantry in the shelter for those in need,” says Casper Humane Society Director Craig Cummings. “Availability depends on donations, but we usually have food that we can help with. We also provide food to Meals on Wheels for their participants. The panty is stocked strictly from donations.”
Cheyenne: “We offer assistance with little or no questions asked. The only thing we require is a photo ID,” says Cheyenne Animal Shelter Director of Operations Vanessa Woodin. “The person needing assistance fills out a form with their animal names, breed and weight info, and we hand out dry dog and cat food based on how many animals they have and those animals’ weight. The assistance can only be received once every three months, and the person receiving it agrees that they cannot adopt for six months after getting it. The food is usually given to us as a donation. When we have other extras such as cat litter or treats, we throw those items in as well.”
Cody: “3 Dog Rescue picks up donations of food, bedding, soaps, disinfectants, food containers, etc., from Walmart,” says Founder/President Kathy McDonald. “I work with our local Park County Animal Shelter in Cody and deliver all cat food and litter to the Powell Animal Shelter as well as dog food and supplies. Both shelters also give food and supplies to the public. Unfortunately, we have small towns in Park, Bighorn and Hot Springs counties with no shelters. There are several individuals in our area who will be trying to organize a donation drive for food for domestic animals in need, as our population is struggling to keep their families and pets fed!”
Dubois: “We have a successful Pet Food Bank, with food bought and delivered by our Western Fremont County Humane Society,” says Senior Warden and Vice President Mary Ellen Honsaker. “The Community Food Bank is housed and run by St. Thomas Episcopal Church, and the director calls me when the stock gets low. There is a rolling cart set aside to house the pet food.” Soon donations also poured in. “Now there is often canned food and treats available, as well as dishes, leashes, etc. We see that pets make a huge difference in people's lives that are struggling in some way, and we want to keep their pet with them!”
Jackson: “We have assisted One22 (a local nonprofit resource hub), with partnering them up with a local pet food supply store, Pet Place Plus, to fulfill any community needs for pet food,” says PAWS of Jackson Hole Program Director Jess Farr. “Currently, One22 has a food pantry, so this addition makes sense and keeps those involved streamlined. This new addition is now the consistent go-to for any who needs pet food.”
Lander: The Lander Pet Connection gives out pet food to those in need informally using donated supplies. Laramie: A free pet pantry cupboard is located at Laramie Animal Welfare Society.
Pinedale: If there aren’t animals in the shelter, the food can be donated to pets in need or sent home with adopters. Rock Springs: Petunia’s Pet Pantry, a community project through Second Chance to Dance Dachshund Rescue in Farson, gives out two weeks of emergency kibble twice a month at set times. Those in need are asked to fill out some brief paperwork. Supplies are reliant completely on donations.
Star Valley: “[People] come in, and we give out of our stock when they need it,” says Lucky’s Place – Animal Humane Association of Star Valley Founder/President Mary Ann Ahrens. “We also give extra to our food bank in our small community. We get our food donated from pet stores when it’s almost out of date and from people making donations of food to us. We usually have a good supply.”
WYCAP will be keeping an updated list of state pet pantries on its website. If you have a pet pantry in your community, email animal.protection23r@gmail.com
Micaela Myers is the writer/ editor of UWyo Magazine at the University of Wyoming. She has long been a pit bull and rescue advocate, volunteering with organizations such as Pit Bull Rescue San Diego, StubbyDog.org, Replace Denver BSL, Laramie Animal Welfare Society and WYCAP.
For more information contact WYCAP at animal.protection23r@gmail.com
