According to SPCA of Texas volunteer Jorja Williams,
“My wish this holiday season is that no family in North Texas will have to surrender their beloved family pet because of financial hardship.
“Did you know that the primary reason families surrender their family pets in North Texas is because of financial hardship? SPCA of Texas understands that the best place for a pet is with its loving family and firmly believes that a lack of financial resources should never be a reason for separating pets from their owners. To stand behind this belief, one of the SPCA of Texas’ pillars is ‘Keep animals in their homes,’ and the organization devotes an entire department to Community Impact.
“That’s why I love volunteering with the Community Impact team to help with our monthly Drive-Thru Pet Food Pantries. This is one of many ways we can help families and their pets stay together through the tough times. We regularly have 300 to 400 cars lined up through the parking lot and around the block to receive dog and cat food, leashes, and collars.
“But no matter how much food we think will be enough, it never is. Oftentimes, staff members must go to the nearest store and purchase small bags of pet food just so everyone gets some food to tide them over until the next food pantry Sunday.
“SPCA of Texas needs your help to keep our pet families together during these challenging economic times. It only takes one run of bad luck before any of us is living paycheck to paycheck and must make one of the hardest decisions of our lifetime.
“Our Community Impact division also partners with social services agencies to help unhoused individuals with beloved pets. We provide medical support for these vulnerable pets, including spay/neuter, vaccinations and exams. I know many volunteers who have served as ‘crisis fosters’ for these pets so that individuals experiencing homelessness in North Texas can enter shelters knowing that their beloved pets are safe and loved. SPCA of Texas crisis fosters provide care and support for these animals while their people work with human service organizations to find stable housing, keeping the owners updated with pictures and videos showing the animals thriving.
“Sometimes, SPCA of Texas creates temporary holding kennels for dogs at the homeless shelters and ensures that all the animals are vaccinated. Because shelters offer so many resources for individuals to get back on their feet, SPCA of Texas also helps individuals financially by paying pet deposits once an unhoused person does find housing.
“Donate to help beloved pets stay in their loving homes, keeping families together through difficult times here, or visit www.spca.org to learn more about our Community Impact initiatives.”
* Graphic/photo provided by SPCA of Texas
