Pet Pantry Outreach is Launching!

Paws2Help Pet Pantry Outreach, founded in Casper, Wyoming, will reach its first milestone with the distribution of approximately 930 pounds of dog and cat food to citizens in need within the community on Saturday, March 2, 2013, commencing with Natrona County Meals on Wheels clients. The Pet Pantry Outreach will hold its official launch and reception at 1:00 p.m. hosted by Greiner Buick/GMA/Cadillac at 6302 East 2nd Street, Casper, WY 82609. The Keynote Speaker, City of Casper Mayor Kenyne Schlager, will be followed by guest speakers from Paws2Help Foundation, Paws2Help Pet Pantry Outreach, Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies, Altitude Veterinary Hospital and Natrona County Meals on Wheels.

It was after the tremendous outpouring of donated pet food for displaced pets of the Sheepherder Hill Fire in October 2012 that Paws2Help Foundation Founder & President Lisa Craft identified a lack of an in-place organization providing the fundamentals helping feed pets in crisis in Wyoming. That is when Craft came up with idea of forming Paws2Help Pet Pantry Outreach, an organization that provides donated pet food to pet owners served by Meals on Wheels or those seeking assistance through the Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies who are burdened by tough economic times, a health crisis or some other kind of emergency. Pet Pantry Outreach's mission is to help avoid the surrender of these animals to already overcrowded shelters, prevent them from being set loose to fend for themselves, or taken for euthanasia. Our purpose is to help pet owners keep their beloved pets, as pets are usually viewed as part of the family and often offer emotional support, which is essential to a person's well being. Our mission also addresses the very real problem of Meals on Wheels recipients saving and feeding a portion of their meals to their beloved pets, because of financial stress or the inability to shop for pet food.  We believe that this program will provide a quality pet food diet for the animals and keep the human food where it should be—with the humans who are owned by their beloved pets.

 A Message From The Paws2Help Foundation President

Lisa Craft

Paws2Help Foundation welcomes you on behalf of Pet  Pantry Outreach as we are especially proud of the ground breaking efforts that this special program is helping many families cope with enormously difficult times. Ensuring that our community's companion animals never go hungry is one of the most basic, and most critical, aspects of animal welfare. A person's inability to feed their pet could be due to unexpected bills or expenses, with the situation being temporary. By offering pet food assistance we hope to lessen the burden of homeless pets on local animal shelters and rescue groups. We hope families and individuals are rest assured they're able to keep their beloved pet during their hardship.

We expect to attribute increased donations and dispersals to increased awareness of our services by having several local food banks voluntarily post our advertising on their premises. Paws2Help Pet Pantry Outreach is sponsored by Paws2Help Foundation and a collaboration by the Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies, Altitude Veterinary Hospital, and Natrona County Meals on Wheels. 

The multi-organization collaboration supporting Pet Pantry Outreach's efforts is what is most exciting - the program has the support needed to sustain itself in the future as well as to expand throughout Wyoming. Towards the goal of expanding throughout Wyoming the Pet Pantry Outreach plans to expand its advertising efforts to increase services to the community.

Financial donations are essential for us to continue to carry out our mission. We are one of a relatively small number of pet food assistance programs throughout the US and have seen the effects of the importance of our mission on the local community. If you are interested in helping the Pet Pantry Outreach or would like more information, please see the Pet Pantry Outreach’s website at paws2helpwy.org or contact the Program Coordinator, Melissa Fenster.

Thank you,

          Lisa Craft, President, Paws2Help Foundation