Imagine if you can’t afford to feed or care for your best friend – it’s a situation for hundreds of Californians every month as they struggle to care for their pets.
When pet owners need help, Pet parachute is ready to intervene.
The charity was founded by Melissa David in 2018 when she noticed a gap in support for pet parents who were having financial difficulties caring for their animals.
“I researched resources in Calgary for help with pets and found there wasn’t much available,” David said.
“I wasn’t sure I could make a difference, but I had to try.”
David says that before the pandemic, the organization received between 30 and 40 requests for help each month; then, COVID-19 arrived and jumped to 600. Now, it is established between 350 and 400 requests per month.
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Parachutes for Pets Helps Animal Owners Fighting During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Parachutes for Pets helps owners each month by providing pet food baskets, veterinary care, and grooming. Free vaccination clinics generally fill up within 24 hours of being advertised.
Since the pandemic began, the most required food is pet food.
The organization said fixed-income seniors are the highest demographic requesting help, followed by requests for homeless pet packages and pet baskets from people experiencing or escaping domestic violence.
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Calgary seniors bring pets to a free vet clinic
David is a true believer that pets are an important part of the family.
“It is critical to our mental health, our physical health and I think the pandemic really showed it to us,” he said.
For the second year in a row, Global Calgary is virtually partnering with four holiday charities, including Parachutes for Pets, as part of our Month of Giving campaign.
Charities were chosen for this year’s campaign because of their involvement in mental health and food safety.
Parachutes for Pets is 100% funded by donors, and Month of Giving hopes to raise funds to make sure all pet support requests can be met, keeping pet families together during tough times.
Read more:
Month of Giving 2021: Global Calgary Focuses on Mental Health and Food Safety with 4 Local Charities
Click here to donate to Parachutes for Pets as part of Global Calgary Giving Month.
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Reference-globalnews.ca