TAMPA, Fla. — After seeing an increase in the number of people surrendering their pets over the last month due to financial issues, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay is reminding residents of the various programs they offer to help people and their pets through hard times.
What You Need To Know
Humane Society of Tampa Bay opens its Pet Pantry on Tuesdays and Saturday’ for families in need, providing free pet food and other pet necessities
It is also waiving the exam fee at its animal hospital for the entire month of November
Another initiative, Animeals, is like Meals on Wheels for pet food, delivering free pet food to homebound seniors
Nicole LaDue visits the Humane Society of Tampa Bay’s Pet Pantry every Tuesday, stocking up on food for her dogs and cats. The pantry is open two days a week, on Tuesday and Saturday, providing free pet food for anyone in need, and it’s just one of the programs the Humane Society of Tampa Bay offers.
“Of course, we’re an animal organization, but that includes the families that have these animals as well,” said the Humane Society’s Regan Blessinger.
“So we want to make sure that everyone in the home is covered,” she said. “It’s a really hard decision that no one should ever have to face whether to feed themselves, or their pets, so if we can help at least take that off someone’s shoulders when they’re dealing with all these other issues that is so helpful.”
Blessinger says that in addition to the pet pantry, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay is also waiving exam fees for the entire month of November at their animal hospital. She says with the government shutdown, and issues with SNAP benefits, some families feel forced to make tough decisions about their pets, and they want to prevent that.
“If we can keep families together, it’s less pets getting surrendered, and then filling up the shelters, so all around it’s a really good thing for the community and we’re really glad people are using it,” said Blessinger.
The Humane Society of Tampa Bay also offers Animeals, a program similar to Meals on Wheels where they deliver pet food and supplies to elderly homebound people in need. (Spectrum News/Fallon Silcox)
Alexandra Cruz says she appreciates the extra help right now. She was picking up food for her dog and cat at home. “It helps a lot with the food, the little toys and stuff,” Cruz said. “I mean, I’m already a single mom, so it helps me a lot. It helps a lot of people in this area.”
And LaDue says the Humane Society of Tampa Bay’s support has made all the difference for her family. “What you’ve personally done for my family, my children and I have been victims of domestic violence and what has helped us get through that time is our animals. They have helped us heal, and you’ve kept my pets fed.”
The Humane Society of Tampa Bay also offers Animeals, a program similar to Meals on Wheels where they deliver pet food and supplies to elderly homebound people in need.