Imagine losing one’s job, one’s health insurance, maybe even one’s home.
Unfortunately this is the case for too many local residents as the poor economy continues to take its toll.
Now imagine that one source of comfort for one in this situation is the family cat or dog, but the lack of income makes it harder and harder to provide the food one’s pet needs.
Love of that pet may force one to make the difficult decision to give the pet up, adding the pain of loss to the economic pain. Veterinarians and humane society administrators across the country say that this is a choice many people feel they have to make.
Members of Damariscotta United Methodist Church, after weeks of prayer, felt called to do something to help pet owners keep and care for their pets. That something is starting a pet pantry.
A pet pantry is a food pantry that gives away cat and dog food, plus litter and treats. The Damariscotta Pet Pantry will be open for business Tues., April 3 in the hall of Damariscotta United Methodist Church on School Street in Damariscotta.
The church and a private donor are seeding the start-up costs of the pantry, but the help of the public is needed. Monetary donations can be made to the pet pantry by writing a check to DUMC Pet Pantry and sending them to P.O. Box 1053, Damariscotta, 04543.
These monies will go exclusively to buy cat and dog food at cost, or reduced cost, stretching every dollar given.
If donors prefer, donations of cat litter, cat and dog treats, and cat food may be dropped off at the church any Sunday between 9 and 11 a.m. or brought to the pantry when it opens in April.
The pantry will be open on the first and second Tuesdays of the month between 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. All donations are tax deductible.
Janet Wynne and Edie Jordan of the church spent two Tuesday mornings at the Newcastle Food Pantry talking with clients about the need for a pet pantry in this area. Over 50 people filled out a survey indicating that they could use such a service.
