{"id":2651,"date":"2020-08-17T20:08:45","date_gmt":"2020-08-17T20:08:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/?p=2651"},"modified":"2020-08-17T20:14:05","modified_gmt":"2020-08-17T20:14:05","slug":"learning-from-our-clients","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/?p=2651","title":{"rendered":"Learning From Our Clients"},"content":{"rendered":"
By: Suzanne D’Alonzo, Community Outreach Programs Manager for Humane Pennsylvania<\/em><\/h5>\n

Our Community Outreach Team meets many pet owners facing complex issues, and Spike\u2019s Pet Pantry lets us repeatedly connect with clients.\u00a0 Before social distancing protocols were put into place, we knew a fair amount about the pets, situations, and families of our pet pantry clients.\u00a0 We\u2019ll get back to a time when our client connections will again be more interactional and conversational, less transactional.\u00a0 And thinking about the conversations that currently have to be skipped as we limit client interactions got me thinking about conversations I\u2019ve had.\u00a0 And I realize I\u2019ve learned a lot from those I serve.<\/p>\n

Spike\u2019s Pet Pantry clients are motivated to find ways to meet their pets\u2019 needs.\u00a0 While every client and their situation is unique, similar threads crop up in the stories:\u00a0 pets are considered family and the fear of not being able to provide weighs on pet owners.\u00a0 No matter the situation that led them to our program, our pet pantry clients have a variety of ways to stretch their limited resources.\u00a0 They do their best and that keeps their beloved pets in their homes.\u00a0 Frankly, it\u2019s impressive.\"\"<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also universal.\u00a0 A colleague is publishing his multi-city study of how pet owners cope with pet food insecurity. \u00a0The lessons I find here in Berks and Lancaster counties match those of pet owners around the country.\u00a0 Effort and ingenuity keep animals in their homes and out of the shelter system; that\u2019s a win for everyone.\u00a0 Knowing details about how owners provide for their pets means our program has important facts.\u00a0 Having these details means the opportunity to improve our program so it\u2019s the best fit for pet owners in need.<\/p>\n

Owners tell us about how they forgo other purchases so they can provide for their pet.\u00a0 Sometimes it\u2019s the stuff that makes life easier- pre-made meals from the grocery or a restaurant after a tough week, a favorite treat, or a little something new.\u00a0 Sometimes it\u2019s a tougher decision, with pet owners juggling which bills get addressed right away or deciding which prescriptions can wait.\u00a0 It\u2019s usually about making things work on a fixed income, even creating a timeline for purchases of all the things that are needed- the family\u2019s food, school supplies, gas for the car, pet food, etc.<\/p>\n

We hear about future plans for purchases of pet-related items- which stores have what on sale, what coupons can be used, the best places for online pet-supply shopping, etc.\u00a0 That might leave room for vet care or grooming supplies when they\u2019re needed.\u00a0 Often it comes down to strategy: supplement pet food with what comes from Spike\u2019s Pet Pantry, purchasing only a small amount if the month\u2019s allotment isn\u2019t enough.\u00a0 Or consolidate pet supply purchases, getting only a larger, cost-effective bag for when more food is needed.\u00a0 Switch to a cheaper brand when possible.\u00a0 Save some of the brand or flavor a pet really likes in case it\u2019s needed to convince pets to eat a flavor they don\u2019t like, so no food goes to waste.\u00a0 Many creative ideas are shared with us and we see the amazing budgeting people use for their pets!<\/p>\n

Clients will stretch dog food by adding cooked rice, sometimes vegetables, to their dogs\u2019 meals.\u00a0 They\u2019ll convince finicky cats to eat with a few choice bits of their own dinner meat added in.\u00a0 And we\u2019ve learned about how pets other types of pets\u2019 meals get managed when things are tight (did you know the best place to get a bale of hay for a rabbit?\u00a0 I didn\u2019t either until I got the scoop).\u00a0 We also know that pet owners will skip meals themselves or share whatever they have with their pets if they aren\u2019t able to secure an ample amount of pet food.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve heard clients trading babysitting favors with relatives for a bag of dog food.\u00a0 I\u2019ve known owners to jointly purchase a big bag of pet food and split it, benefiting from the savings of bulk buying. Others borrow money or directly ask for pet food from friends or relatives.\u00a0 I know folks who \u201cshare custody\u201d or have sent pets to temporarily stay with an ex or a relative so pets\u2019 needs get met.\u00a0 It all works: the pets get fed and are still with the people who love them.<\/p>\n

We even hear about some of the choices that, initially, seem to make less sense but that are logical in the long run.\u00a0 Some of our clients may have long walks to get food home, or may be facing an eviction or upcoming move, or may have trouble lifting or storing larger amounts.\u00a0 These are times we\u2019ve come to realize when pet owners may need to take smaller quantities than they\u2019d like to, or, when purchasing additional pet food, have to purchase smaller quantities at higher prices given their circumstances.\u00a0 I recall one pet owner who knew she would likely be living in her car between rentals and did not have the space for a large amount of pet food.\u00a0 Another had to get a ride from a friend while the friend made work deliveries.\u00a0 Only so much would fit in the car at the same time as the other delivery items.\u00a0 Yet another was a senior citizen taking care of her older sister.\u00a0 Her elderly two dogs and cat were her world.\u00a0 She was only able to lift about 5 pounds at a time, and she planned carefully as to how she could manage to get, then unload, a larger amount.<\/p>\n

Since Spike\u2019s Pet Pantry permits someone other than the client to make the monthly food pick up it\u2019s pretty common that neighbors come together, sharing a ride.\u00a0 That saves on gas, letting limited funds be wisely used.\u00a0 There are a number of clients who pick up for relatives- one vehicle that will make the circuit between granny\u2019s, an uncle\u2019s, and home.\u00a0 This works to get pet food to those who don\u2019t have reliable transportation, who don\u2019t have the time to make it to our pantry, or who physically cannot get out to pick up supplies.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been inspired listening to clients share what works for them.\u00a0 I hear different perspectives, and one is not more \u201ccorrect\u201d than another.\u00a0 Some clients who own both a dog and a cat will skip getting food for one type pet if they still have a supply at home, in hopes this helps everyone in the program get what they need.\u00a0 I find this seems common with pet owners of a single cat or a petite dog.\u00a0 Other clients go home with with the maximum we are able to provide, even if they still have some food, in hopes they might skip coming the following month if they have enough.<\/p>\n

Pet owners facing pet food insecurity are doing a good job with what they have.\u00a0 As I continue to meet clients- and get to know them, their families, their pets, and what\u2019s happening in their lives- I really appreciate what they tell us. \u00a0Sharing your life and its challenges is uncomfortable, which makes the information all the more valuable.\u00a0 Understanding how solutions to challenges can be cobbled together holds lessons.\u00a0 It\u2019s that information that help us modify and improve current programs.\u00a0 It also lets us consider future projects or programming that could further assist wonderful pet owners who are finding ways to keep their pets in their homes!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By: Suzanne D’Alonzo, Community Outreach Programs Manager for Humane Pennsylvania Our Community Outreach Team meets many pet owners facing complex issues, and Spike\u2019s Pet Pantry lets us repeatedly connect with clients.\u00a0 Before social distancing protocols were put into place, we knew a fair amount about the pets, situations, and families of our pet pantry clients.\u00a0 …
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