Animal Welfare Professionals

We just started our non-profit in January 2024.  We have had UNBELIEVEABLE success in the first four months of the year.  We are, however, finding that our services are being used by people who do not fall within our category of eligibility.

We were too vague when we started out with just saying, "anyone who is experiencing financial difficulties - whether that's permanent or temporary."  (Our aim was to attract low income individuals and also anyone who had a sudden job loss.

We provide free pet food and free spay/neuter services.  We are finding that people sign the form saying they fit the criteria but there's a ton of evidence they don't.

Normally we wouldn't care because the greater good is taking place - feeding an animal or sterilizing an animal again overpopulation.  However, currently it is just me and the other co-founder handling everything (along with a small number of volunteers helping here/there).  We're working 24/7 to run the programs, do the administrative work, track the finances, organize the inventory, write the grant proposals, and create and staff the fundraisers -- and we both have full time jobs doing other things.  We do all of this to raise money for these services to help the animals and the community.  We need a better system.

What types of eligibility are others who offer Pet Food Pantries or Spay and Neuter Services using?

#PetSupportServices*

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Karen Kirsch
Founder
Spayed and Aid
KY
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We just started our non-profit in January 2024.  We have had UNBELIEVEABLE success in the first four months of the year.  We are, however, finding that our services are being used by people who do not fall within our category of eligibility.

We were too vague when we started out with just saying, "anyone who is experiencing financial difficulties - whether that's permanent or temporary."  (Our aim was to attract low income individuals and also anyone who had a sudden job loss.

We provide free pet food and free spay/neuter services.  We are finding that people sign the form saying they fit the criteria but there's a ton of evidence they don't.

Normally we wouldn't care because the greater good is taking place - feeding an animal or sterilizing an animal again overpopulation.  However, currently it is just me and the other co-founder handling everything (along with a small number of volunteers helping here/there).  We're working 24/7 to run the programs, do the administrative work, track the finances, organize the inventory, write the grant proposals, and create and staff the fundraisers -- and we both have full time jobs doing other things.  We do all of this to raise money for these services to help the animals and the community.  We need a better system.

What types of eligibility are others who offer Pet Food Pantries or Spay and Neuter Services using?

We just started our non-profit in January 2024.  We have had UNBELIEVEABLE success in the first four months of the year.  We are, however, finding that our services are being used by people who do not fall within our category of eligibility.

We were too vague when we started out with just saying, "anyone who is experiencing financial difficulties - whether that's permanent or temporary."  (Our aim was to attract low income individuals and also anyone who had a sudden job loss.

We provide free pet food and free spay/neuter services.  We are finding that people sign the form saying they fit the criteria but there's a ton of evidence they don't.

Normally we wouldn't care because the greater good is taking place - feeding an animal or sterilizing an animal again overpopulation.  However, currently it is just me and the other co-founder handling everything (along with a small number of volunteers helping here/there).  We're working 24/7 to run the programs, do the administrative work, track the finances, organize the inventory, write the grant proposals, and create and staff the fundraisers -- and we both have full time jobs doing other things.  We do all of this to raise money for these services to help the animals and the community.  We need a better system.

What types of eligibility are others who offer Pet Food Pantries or Spay and Neuter Services using?

We just started our non-profit in January 2024.  We have had UNBELIEVEABLE success in the first four months of the year.  We are, however, finding that our services are being used by people who do not fall within our category of eligibility.

We were too vague when we started out with just saying, "anyone who is experiencing financial difficulties - whether that's permanent or temporary."  (Our aim was to attract low income individuals and also anyone who had a sudden job loss.

We provide free pet food and free spay/neuter services.  We are finding that people sign the form saying they fit the criteria but there's a ton of evidence they don't.

Normally we wouldn't care because the greater good is taking place - feeding an animal or sterilizing an animal again overpopulation.  However, currently it is just me and the other co-founder handling everything (along with a small number of volunteers helping here/there).  We're working 24/7 to run the programs, do the administrative work, track the finances, organize the inventory, write the grant proposals, and create and staff the fundraisers -- and we both have full time jobs doing other things.  We do all of this to raise money for these services to help the animals and the community.  We need a better system.

What types of eligibility are others who offer Pet Food Pantries or Spay and Neuter Services using?

We just started our non-profit in January 2024.  We have had UNBELIEVEABLE success in the first four months of the year.  We are, however, finding that our services are being used by people who do not fall within our category of eligibility.

We were too vague when we started out with just saying, "anyone who is experiencing financial difficulties - whether that's permanent or temporary."  (Our aim was to attract low income individuals and also anyone who had a sudden job loss.

We provide free pet food and free spay/neuter services.  We are finding that people sign the form saying they fit the criteria but there's a ton of evidence they don't.

Normally we wouldn't care because the greater good is taking place - feeding an animal or sterilizing an animal again overpopulation.  However, currently it is just me and the other co-founder handling everything (along with a small number of volunteers helping here/there).  We're working 24/7 to run the programs, do the administrative work, track the finances, organize the inventory, write the grant proposals, and create and staff the fundraisers -- and we both have full time jobs doing other things.  We do all of this to raise money for these services to help the animals and the community.  We need a better system.

What types of eligibility are others who offer Pet Food Pantries or Spay and Neuter Services using?

Karen,

We have a small pet food bank at our sanctuary. We are in a very rural area with many low income families. We do not evaluate the individuals. We do require they register and self-certify. We too are looking at a better way to determine eligibility. The idea is to help these families make ends meet but several have told us how they have "adopted" new animals since starting our program. I am not even sure how to respond to them. We currently have wording in our registration that says we can help up to three animals per household a month. I'm wondering if we need to limit the amount of consecutive months they can receive help as well. 

We just started our non-profit in January 2024.  We have had UNBELIEVEABLE success in the first four months of the year.  We are, however, finding that our services are being used by people who do not fall within our category of eligibility.

We were too vague when we started out with just saying, "anyone who is experiencing financial difficulties - whether that's permanent or temporary."  (Our aim was to attract low income individuals and also anyone who had a sudden job loss.

We provide free pet food and free spay/neuter services.  We are finding that people sign the form saying they fit the criteria but there's a ton of evidence they don't.

Normally we wouldn't care because the greater good is taking place - feeding an animal or sterilizing an animal again overpopulation.  However, currently it is just me and the other co-founder handling everything (along with a small number of volunteers helping here/there).  We're working 24/7 to run the programs, do the administrative work, track the finances, organize the inventory, write the grant proposals, and create and staff the fundraisers -- and we both have full time jobs doing other things.  We do all of this to raise money for these services to help the animals and the community.  We need a better system.

What types of eligibility are others who offer Pet Food Pantries or Spay and Neuter Services using?

Have you asked them how/where they got the new animals? We track this in our program and noticed that only a tiny percentage were acquired from breeders, shelters, or otherwise purchased.

On average about 25% of pets were strays/found, which means people are helping pets who need help even if they might struggle to do it. Another 55% of pets came from neighbors/friends/family.  It's common for folks to take in pets for others who can no longer keep them. Neighbors who got evicted, people who were forced to move into housing where pets aren't allowed, their cousin went to jail, dad went into the nursing home, dog was now too strong for an older person to care for, daughter found a puppy on the street and two years later is going off to college and can't take it, a neighbor found yet another kitten and already has 5 cats and doesn't want anymore, etc.

Karen,

We have a small pet food bank at our sanctuary. We are in a very rural area with many low income families. We do not evaluate the individuals. We do require they register and self-certify. We too are looking at a better way to determine eligibility. The idea is to help these families make ends meet but several have told us how they have "adopted" new animals since starting our program. I am not even sure how to respond to them. We currently have wording in our registration that says we can help up to three animals per household a month. I'm wondering if we need to limit the amount of consecutive months they can receive help as well. 

We just started our non-profit in January 2024.  We have had UNBELIEVEABLE success in the first four months of the year.  We are, however, finding that our services are being used by people who do not fall within our category of eligibility.

We were too vague when we started out with just saying, "anyone who is experiencing financial difficulties - whether that's permanent or temporary."  (Our aim was to attract low income individuals and also anyone who had a sudden job loss.

We provide free pet food and free spay/neuter services.  We are finding that people sign the form saying they fit the criteria but there's a ton of evidence they don't.

Normally we wouldn't care because the greater good is taking place - feeding an animal or sterilizing an animal again overpopulation.  However, currently it is just me and the other co-founder handling everything (along with a small number of volunteers helping here/there).  We're working 24/7 to run the programs, do the administrative work, track the finances, organize the inventory, write the grant proposals, and create and staff the fundraisers -- and we both have full time jobs doing other things.  We do all of this to raise money for these services to help the animals and the community.  We need a better system.

What types of eligibility are others who offer Pet Food Pantries or Spay and Neuter Services using?

Maria,

No we don't but that is a good idea. I will start asking and keeping track as well. I bet we find the same results. I get it, our area shelters are over capacity and there are so many people struggling and needing to rehome their pets. The concern I have is that the idea of the food bank is to help them keep their pets at home and help reduce their financial struggles. Taking in new animals kind of defeats the purpose.   

Have you asked them how/where they got the new animals? We track this in our program and noticed that only a tiny percentage were acquired from breeders, shelters, or otherwise purchased.

On average about 25% of pets were strays/found, which means people are helping pets who need help even if they might struggle to do it. Another 55% of pets came from neighbors/friends/family.  It's common for folks to take in pets for others who can no longer keep them. Neighbors who got evicted, people who were forced to move into housing where pets aren't allowed, their cousin went to jail, dad went into the nursing home, dog was now too strong for an older person to care for, daughter found a puppy on the street and two years later is going off to college and can't take it, a neighbor found yet another kitten and already has 5 cats and doesn't want anymore, etc.

Karen,

We have a small pet food bank at our sanctuary. We are in a very rural area with many low income families. We do not evaluate the individuals. We do require they register and self-certify. We too are looking at a better way to determine eligibility. The idea is to help these families make ends meet but several have told us how they have "adopted" new animals since starting our program. I am not even sure how to respond to them. We currently have wording in our registration that says we can help up to three animals per household a month. I'm wondering if we need to limit the amount of consecutive months they can receive help as well. 

We just started our non-profit in January 2024.  We have had UNBELIEVEABLE success in the first four months of the year.  We are, however, finding that our services are being used by people who do not fall within our category of eligibility.

We were too vague when we started out with just saying, "anyone who is experiencing financial difficulties - whether that's permanent or temporary."  (Our aim was to attract low income individuals and also anyone who had a sudden job loss.

We provide free pet food and free spay/neuter services.  We are finding that people sign the form saying they fit the criteria but there's a ton of evidence they don't.

Normally we wouldn't care because the greater good is taking place - feeding an animal or sterilizing an animal again overpopulation.  However, currently it is just me and the other co-founder handling everything (along with a small number of volunteers helping here/there).  We're working 24/7 to run the programs, do the administrative work, track the finances, organize the inventory, write the grant proposals, and create and staff the fundraisers -- and we both have full time jobs doing other things.  We do all of this to raise money for these services to help the animals and the community.  We need a better system.

What types of eligibility are others who offer Pet Food Pantries or Spay and Neuter Services using?

We just started our non-profit in January 2024.  We have had UNBELIEVEABLE success in the first four months of the year.  We are, however, finding that our services are being used by people who do not fall within our category of eligibility.

We were too vague when we started out with just saying, "anyone who is experiencing financial difficulties - whether that's permanent or temporary."  (Our aim was to attract low income individuals and also anyone who had a sudden job loss.

We provide free pet food and free spay/neuter services.  We are finding that people sign the form saying they fit the criteria but there's a ton of evidence they don't.

Normally we wouldn't care because the greater good is taking place - feeding an animal or sterilizing an animal again overpopulation.  However, currently it is just me and the other co-founder handling everything (along with a small number of volunteers helping here/there).  We're working 24/7 to run the programs, do the administrative work, track the finances, organize the inventory, write the grant proposals, and create and staff the fundraisers -- and we both have full time jobs doing other things.  We do all of this to raise money for these services to help the animals and the community.  We need a better system.

What types of eligibility are others who offer Pet Food Pantries or Spay and Neuter Services using?