CLARKSBURG — The Progressive Women’s Association’s latest venture in serving the community, Peppy’s Pet Food Pantry, helps ensure that pet owners in need have proper nutrition and other necessities for their special member of the family.
PWA Assistant Director Kelli Hagerman came up with the idea of a pantry after noticing a need in the community.
“There’s lots of people that have to give up their animals because they can’t afford to take care of them. We want to make it possible for them to keep their animals because some of them are like children to them,” she said.
The pantry, she said, will house items such as dog food, cat food and kitty litter, as well as accessories such as leashes, dog bowls, collars, toys and bandannas. The pantry is the only one of its kind in the area, Hagerman said.
“We have support from the Humane Society in Harrison and Marion County,” she said.
Proper nutrition is just as important for pets as for people, Hagerman said.
“They deserve to be able to have a good life and live that life as well as humans do. They are just as important as we are,” she said.
Rosalyn Queen, president of the Progressive Women’s Association, said even though the pantry is meant to help all those in need with pets, the pantry will especially have an impact on the seniors in the area who have pets and are on fixed incomes.
“On fixed incomes, it’s hard. (Sometimes) someone has to do without — them or the pet,” she said. “We are in walking distance to a lot of (senior) places, and it will meet a need for these people.
“We will be serving everybody, but we realize the importance that pets are in older people’s lives and want to make it easier for them to continue to have their pets.”
Some individuals cannot leave their home, and if they live close by, Hagerman said Progressive Women’s Association volunteers will help make certain deliveries to ensure a pet is getting the proper items.
Hagerman said there is a stipulation that people who use the pantry must agree to have their pet spayed or neutered to help reduce the pet population.
Hagerman said the PWA is working to obtain a few vouchers that can be used for spaying or neutering, but Humane Societies do offer discounts.
Support from the community thus far has been great, Hagerman said. She noted the pantry has received items from both the Harrison and Marion County Humane Societies, several individuals’ donations and monetary contributions.
Though the support has been great, more donations are always welcome.
“We take anything and have a need for cat litter, more cat food and more canned food,” she said.
Hagerman said the first day of the pantry’s operation is projected to be Friday. Once it’s open, it will operate from noon to 4 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays at 305 Washington Ave., inside of the Progressive Women’s Association building.
Hagerman said she already sees an opportunity for the pet pantry to grow.
“A lot of people are saying they would support and need it. I have a feeling it’s going to pick up and take off,” she said.
Donations can be dropped off anytime between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For information, call 304-624-7951.
