CHA Pet Food Pantry offers to help through tough times - Ashland Daily Press

CHA Pet Food Pantry offers to help through tough times - Ashland Daily Press

The Chequamegon Humane Association has come up with another way to support their mission “to promote and support the humane treatment of animals in the Chequamegon Bay area,” with their new Pet Food Pantry.

According to CHA Executive Director Kari Olinger, the program is a way to provide free, supplemental cat and dog food – when available – to individuals facing economic challenges.

“It’s a place where people can come if they are in need of assistance,” she said.

“People that have fallen on hard times or are just low-income status,” said CHA senior kennel staff member Kendra Hoffmann adding that it’s as supplies last.

“We take food that is donated to us that we can’t use directly … and pass them along to pets in need in the community,” she said. “If it’s a food quality of Science Diet or greater we keep it and use it … If it’s a food quality that’s lesser quality than Science Diet we would prefer not to use it and would rather pass it onto the community in need.”

There are certain brands of food that they are unable to give to the animals at the shelter because – as Olinger explained — the kennel environment can be stressful and the animal’s digestive systems tend to be more sensitive.

“They get an upset digestive system, so they start having diarrhea, they start throwing up … and then that stresses them out and then they stop eating and then they get sick because they’re not eating,” she said, pointing out that it seems like those products with red food dye in them tend to be the biggest offenders.

In the past, when the CHA has received food they are unable to use they have donated it to The BRICK. However, about a month ago when the shelter received a large donation of pet food from a local grocery store, Hoffmann said she had the idea to simply start offering pet food to those in need through the shelter and Olinger agreed.

“We brought some to The BRICK and kept half so that kind of kick started this,” Hoffmann said.

“(We’re) trying to spread the wealth and help animals in the process to make sure that people aren’t starving their animals,” Olinger said mentioning that they have had people surrender animals because they couldn’t afford to take care of them.

“We’re here to curb that if we can,” she said, adding that the CHA does try to offer people help when someone is surrendering an animal due to financial difficulties if they can rather than have them give up their pet.

The program is open to anyone in the bay area although there are some stipulations.

“People may be asked to bring proof of income … if they keep coming back … then we also ask to make sure the animals are spayed and neutered,” Olinger said, adding that if someone needs assistance getting their animals fixed the CHA can help with that too.

“We’re trying to lower the unwanted pet population by spaying and neutering,” she said. “It’s low cost, like under $50 and if they can’t afford it we will work with them.”

The programs tie together as ultimately, Olinger said they would like to help pets find homes and then keep “spayed and neutered pets in their homes.”

“It goes hand in hand,” Hoffmann said. “If we can lower the unwanted pet population, then it’s easier to feed them all. It kind of all ties together.”

The Pet Food Pantry is well stocked right now Hoffman said cautioning people not to abuse it and take advantage of the service.

“We do have a plentiful amount right now so if people need it now is the time to come,” she said reiterating that the Pet Food Pantry will only open when they have food available.

“In the long run, it’s serving the animals but it’s serving the people at the same time. They get to keep their animals, they don’t have to worry about am I going to choose between my groceries and my pets groceries.”

Both Olinger and Hoffmann encouraged people who feel like they are in a spot where they might need to give up their animals to talk to the CHA first.

For more information on the Pet Food Pantry or Low Cost Spay/Neuter Program call the shelter at 715–682-9744 or stop on in 923 Rail Drive in Ashland.