Pets provide meaning and encouragement to struggling people
It’s hard to choose between feeding yourself and feeding your pet, a Gilmer Community Pet Food Pantry volunteer said.
But when that choice comes, most people who attend the food pantry would rather let their pet eat, volunteer Mindy Petzer said.
“No one should have to choose between feeding themselves or their pets,” she said.
In 2020, the Gilmer County Food Pantry (GCFP) created a program that purchased pet food so people wouldn’t have to fear these questions. But today, the program is low on money and donated foods.
Money and food donated to GCFP doesn’t go to the pet food pantry unless donors request this.
People can donate to the pantry in several ways.
Any donation to www.gilmerfoodpantry.org/donate that ends in .33 cents goes to the pet food pantry. There’s also a pet food and item donation bin outside the pantry’s location at 5273 Hwy 52 East. Finally, GCFP will be collecting donations to the pet food pantry at Bacon Fest at River Park. This event takes place Sunday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The donations buy food for pets, as well as some pet toys and pet beds.
If the pet food pantry doesn’t receive animal food or funds to buy it, it won’t have enough to continue through the end of the year.
“The only setback at this point is funding,” she said. “I have to pay retail. I don’t have a source that is discounted.”
Right now, the pet food pantry provides supplementary food to more than 1,100 dogs and cats.
“It gives them some sense of assurance that at least their pet is going to have some extra food for the month,” she said.
The shelter also refers visitors to programs like Homeward Bound’s discount spay and neuter program.
If the people who own these pets have to give them up, the Gilmer County Animal Shelter is already extremely crowded.
“There would definitely be far more loose animals in this county if this program weren’t here,” Petzer said. “I’ve had people come up here in tears. They just don’t know what to do.”
Often, people who have very little to feed themselves feed stray dogs and cats abandoned on their street, Petzer said.
“A lot of them are the victims of people dumping pets,” she said.
Sometimes, despite their best efforts, people have to admit they can no longer care for their pets. When this happens, Petzer has helped them find families willing to adopt their pet.
“I would not be here doing this unless I really loved pets,” she said. “Their owners are so appreciative. It makes all the hard work worth it.”