October 2007 Vol. 26. No. 10

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

Day of Caring
Grand Jurors still needed
October is Mobility Month
InfoCenter moves to new Wellness Center
Two programs help pin down health issues
AniMeals
Walkathon

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AniMeals
Volunteers and PETCO bring food to the critters
by Carole Beaton

I’ve been helping people get their cats and dogs “fixed” for the past ten years. That’s why Alice Millington and I started Bless the Beasts more than nine years ago. With the help of donations, countless grants, and our third board member Muriel Spencer, we have facilitated the spay and neuter surgeries of more than 4,000 animals.

But it’s not all about “fixing.” It’s about feeding, too.

I found out about AniMeals when we attended a convention sponsored by Best Friends Animal Sanctuary a couple of years ago. After attending a session on AniMeals, a program to provide quality pet food for seniors and disabled people who receive home-delivered meals, I was excited about starting a similar program in Humboldt County.

Last fall I contacted the Humboldt Senior Resource Center. Kim Laney, then the activities coordinator, was ready to get going on Ani–Meals. I contacted several stores and pet food suppliers about supporting this program and got a positive response from Paul Jolly, the director of PETCO Foundation, the charitable arm of PETCO.

I wasn’t at all surprised that PETCO would support this program. The company has regular fundraisers to provide financial assistance for most of our animal nonprofits. Bob Stewart, the manager of PETCO, worked with the foundation. AniMeals would not be happening without PETCO’s weekly donation of Purina pet food.

By the first week in June, the food was on its way to hungry critters.

Every Monday, I pick up the food from PETCO, and then volunteers Pat McCann and Pat Clark, who is blind, bag the food for each person’s animals and get it to the route drivers from McKinleyville to Fortuna for distribution.

The drivers who deliver the pet food say their clients are thrilled to have quality food for their furry friends.

I know how important pets are in the lives of everyone, especially elderly or disabled folks who must spend a lot of time alone. Research has clearly shown that having a pet improves health and the quality of life for many people, and I am thrilled to be a part of making it more affordable. It’s a pleasure working with the great people at the Humboldt Senior Resource Center as well as our PETCO store at Bayshore Mall.

Carole Beaton is one of the founders of Bless the Beasts. Her e-mail is carole.beaton@sbcglobal.net and phone is 444-1532 days only.