Maintaining and strengthening the animal-human bond is at the heart of creating a More Humane Society. When pet owners are struggling to afford pet food or basic supplies, the stress can test this bond.
To help, the Oregon Humane Society partnered with Crossroads Church to host Resource Days back in late June. Pet food, cat litter, collars, leashes and other supplies were distributed throughout the two-day event. OHS Board member and local veterinarian Dr. Bob Mack was also on hand to distribute flea medication, answer questions and offer advice.
“I am glad we could help so many people,” says Dr. Mack. “People were very appreciative to have a veterinarian to talk to. Lots of questions about skin issues and some on GI problems came up.”
This was the third Pet Food Bank / Community Resource Day that OHS has hosted since the beginning of the pandemic, but the first event in partnership with Crossroad Church. Their location in Southeast Portland regularly distributes food to people, so resources for pet owners was a welcome addition.
OHS and Crossroads Church volunteers were key to making the event a success. Throughout the two-day event, they helped hand out more than 20,000 pounds of food, 4,000 pounds of cat litter, 500 doses of flea medication and hundreds of collars and leashes. Representatives from Outside In and the Salvation Army Female Emergency Shelter also came by to pick up supplies for their clients.
OHS will be hosting additional Community Resource Days later this year — including one on #GivingTuesday, Nov. 30.
