Michigan Humane, the state’s oldest and largest animal welfare organization, offers a number of services to support our community which includes a pet food pantry. The demand for pet food and supplies at the Judith Caplan Phillips Pet Food Pantry has been more than double then that of prior years, and a community of corporate and individual donors have ensured that families and their pets are not turned away. The team at the pet pantry are on track to give away the millionth pound of pet food the week of November 9, 2020.
“We know the difficult position many members of our community are in right now- they’re having to make decisions that can impact the care and well-being of the pets in their home,” says Katie Franklin, director of volunteers and community solutions. “We want to support folks who are struggling or having a hard time by making sure that they can continue to care for their pets, which is where our pet pantry and other programs come into play.”
The Judith Caplan Phillips Pet Food Pantry, as part of the Community Solutions program at Michigan Humane, provides more than just dog and cat food. Program participants also have access to pet supplies when available, including leashes, collars, dishes, cat litter and more. They are able to connect with other Michigan Humane services including preventative medical care and sterilizations for their pets. The Community Solutions program also aims to aid folks by connecting them with needed resources for their families, whether that is through relationships with organizations such as Forgotten Harvest or with human health services.
Among the countless donors who support the pet pantry, significant contributions have come from Ralph Caplan, Forgotten Harvest, Purina and Greater Good Charities. Matthew Pepper, Michigan Humane president and CEO, noted that, “Our pet pantry and its associated programs are crucial to our mission of creating a more humane community. It is incredible to see the number of folks who have taken this program, and the people and pets it supports, into their hearts and continued to create opportunities for us to help even more animals.”
As the COVID 19 pandemic continues to have significant impact on the community, Michigan Humane is committed to continuing to provide resources for pet parents. Residents in need of pet food assistance are encouraged to call Michigan Humane at (313) 324-8512 for further information.
Gifts to support Michigan Humane’s programs and services, which include the pet pantry, animal cruelty investigation, low cost veterinary care and more, can be made at www.michiganhumane.org/donate or by calling 866-MHUMANE.
