{"id":3237,"date":"2023-07-25T20:23:44","date_gmt":"2023-07-25T20:23:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/?p=3237"},"modified":"2023-07-25T20:34:13","modified_gmt":"2023-07-25T20:34:13","slug":"national-feed-a-rescue-pet-week-july-24-30-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/?p=3237","title":{"rendered":"National Feed a Rescue Pet Week: July 24-30, 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>Written by Alexandra Young, Humane Pennsylvania Community Outreach Programs Manager<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Feed a Rescue Pet Week was created by <a href=\"https:\/\/greatergood.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Greater Good Charities<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com\/clicktogive\/ars\/home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Animal Rescue Site<\/a> in 2017 to raise awareness that food is one of the most critical supplies of animal shelters and to urge people to donate pet food to their local animal welfare organizations.\u00a0 At Humane Pennsylvania (HPA), as an active partner with The Greater Good Charities GOODS Program and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">donors like you<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, we are able to provide comprehensive pet feeding programs:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We feed the shelter animals an adequate and consistent diet\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We assist pet owners experiencing temporary hardship through <a href=\"https:\/\/humanepa.org\/services\/spikes-pet-pantry\/\">Spike\u2019s Pet Pantry<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As the designated <a href=\"https:\/\/humanepa.org\/services\/emergency-response-and-disaster-relief\/\">County Animal Response Team<\/a> (CART), we provide basic supplies and food to evacuation centers so owners can stay with their pets during emergencies<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Why helping pet owners matters!<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-3032 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Untitled-design-31-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"213\" height=\"213\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Untitled-design-31-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Untitled-design-31-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Untitled-design-31-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Untitled-design-31-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Untitled-design-31.png 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 213px) 100vw, 213px\" \/>I don\u2019t like to admit it, but as an independent rescuer for decades, I became judgmental of people who struggled to give basic care to their pets. When I met pet owners who did not match my level of pet care, it was easy for me to immediately deem them as uncaring and irresponsible without knowing any further details! However, when I started working professionally in animal welfare, I met people who had the same empathy for the animals, but with far less resources. They were rescuing outside kittens, helping injured strays or inheriting pets from friends\/family that can no longer care for them and sometimes, they need a little help.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every week at the pet pantry, volunteers and I meet wonderful pet caretakers who are deeply attached to their pets and want to do what is best for them. Just because they cannot feed their pets an optimal diet now <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">does not<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> mean they love the animals any less, nor does it mean they shouldn\u2019t have those pets. For some people, their pets inspire them to get up every day, to power through pain and to think about someone other than themselves.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>When our community helps all pet owners, we keep more pets with their loving families and out of the shelters.\u00a0 This, in<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3240 alignright\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/DSCN0131-scaled-e1690212411350-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"240\" height=\"240\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/DSCN0131-scaled-e1690212411350-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/DSCN0131-scaled-e1690212411350-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/DSCN0131-scaled-e1690212411350-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/DSCN0131-scaled-e1690212411350-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/DSCN0131-scaled-e1690212411350-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/DSCN0131-scaled-e1690212411350.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px\" \/> turn, leaves more space at the shelter for the animals that really need a safe place, vet care and possibly a new family (or are reunited!).\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Years ago, Humane Pennsylvania developed the Animals on Wheels program to ensure pet owners did not sacrifice their own food for their pets. About five years ago, this transitioned to the current <a href=\"https:\/\/humanepa.org\/services\/spikes-pet-pantry\/\">Spike\u2019s Pet Pantry<\/a> as part of the <a href=\"https:\/\/humanepa.org\/healthy-pets\/healthy-pets-initiative\/\">Healthy Pets Initiative<\/a> department, operating under these principles:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Respect for the human-animal bond<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Empower all pet owners by being a trusted partner, free from judgment<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Access to accurate information and relevant services &amp; products<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Help pet parents make choices that improve their lives and their pets\u2019 lives<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read more details about Spike\u2019s Pet Pantry here: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/humanepa.org\/healthypets\/spikes-pet-pantry\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/humanepa.org\/healthypets\/spikes-pet-pantry\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Feeding shelter animals is a big job!<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the flipside, the animals that do come into <a href=\"https:\/\/humanepa.org\/abouthpa\/locations-contact\/\">Humane Pennsylvania Adoption Centers<\/a> (in Lancaster and Reading) are fortunate enough to<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3239 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/SID_3271-300x220.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"250\" height=\"183\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/SID_3271-300x220.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/SID_3271-1024x750.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/SID_3271-768x562.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/SID_3271-1536x1124.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/SID_3271-2048x1499.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/> benefit from our organization\u2019s enrollment in a food program that provides the same brand and type of food to everyone. Ongoing participation in this program results in a win-win situation:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Much less digestive upset, associated veterinary care &amp; expenses and stress for the shelter animals<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improvement in staff morale and ability to care for\/handle the animals<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increased adoptions, resulting in more space for other needy animals<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite today\u2019s economic roller coaster, if you are fortunate enough to be able to feed your pets \u201cas usual\u201d, please consider <a href=\"https:\/\/humanepa.org\/donate\/ways-to-give\/wish-list\/\">making a pet food donation to Humane Pennsylvania<\/a>.\u00a0 The positive ripple effect of such a donation will directly impact our community, more than you may have realized.\u00a0 Learn more about the Healthy Pets Initiative and how you give back to animals and their caretakers at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/humanepa.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HumanePA.org<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Written by Alexandra Young, Humane Pennsylvania Community Outreach Programs Manager National Feed a Rescue Pet Week was created by Greater Good Charities and The Animal Rescue Site in 2017 to raise awareness that food is one of the most critical supplies of animal shelters and to urge people to donate pet food to their local &hellip;<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/?p=3237\">Read more <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,32,24,31,28,25,23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3237","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-animal-health","category-animal-rescue","category-animal-welfare","category-emergency-preparedness","category-healthy-pets","category-healthy-pets-initiative","category-humane-pennsylvania"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3237","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3237"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3237\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3241,"href":"https:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3237\/revisions\/3241"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3237"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3237"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.humanepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3237"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}