pawspetpantry-blog

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Leashes as Lifelines

Note: We love when our volunteers want to be deeply engaged in our mission. The following is an essay written for a class by one of our volunteers, who allowed us to post it here. All sources are linked via the appropriate in-text citations. 

On every major street you see them; they are always there, sitting on stoops, standing in medians, or walking with their packs. The homeless are often considered “invisible people”, but driving through town you find them hard to ignore; stoplight after stoplight you pass them by. Some “fly the flag,” holding cardboard signs as silent pleas for help, while others are more vocal, imploring passersby to spare a quarter, a dollar – anything. Eventually a fortunate streak of green ends, and as yellow fades to crimson you are forced to stop alongside one of these less fortunate fellows. While like many you may attempt to avoid his gaze, it’s hard not to look.

The man is bundled up, with multiple layers of shirts, jackets and hoodies making him appear larger than he is. His sign is leaning against his legs, the arms of this disheveled array of clothing hanging limp at his sides; for the time being, he’s withdrawn his arms into his shirts. Assuming he’s just trying to keep warm your gaze may begin to wander, disinterested; but movement catches your eye. After a moment, a second head pops through his collar– not that of a man, but that of a dog, bundled within the hoodies as temporary shelter from the cold.

A new flash of green forces you to break your gaze and move on, but as you continue to drive, you pay closer attention. Down the road, a woman stands with a sign, a dog sitting at her feet; across town, a man bikes with a pack on his back and a dog perched precariously upon his shoulders.  It becomes clear that Springfield’s homeless have pets – but how can they possibly care for a pet, when they can hardly take care of themselves, you wonder?

Estimates of just how many people face homelessness are difficult to make, but most suggest over half a million homeless on any given night, and up to 3 million facing homelessness – chronic or temporary – throughout any given year (“Counting”; Johnson; Nat. Student Campaign Against Hunger & Homelessness).  Counts in Missouri’s Greene County alone average 750 homeless individuals, with at least 250 of those without any source of shelter (Mosley). The sheer number of these “invisible people” are staggering; for most, the life they live is unimaginable. They face extreme heat, extreme cold, violence, and crime. Their camps are often flooded, stolen from, and forced to move. Inevitably, some will be lost; exposure, unattended medical conditions, addiction, and suicide steal them away before their time, and their loss is felt deeply throughout the homeless community.

To cope with this often draining lifestyle, some of the homeless elect to keep pets. Estimates of just how many of the homeless own pets range from five to twenty-six percent, with variance between different regions (Panning et al. 222; Rhoades et al. 238). Most commonly these pets are cats or dogs, though the occasional fish, bird, reptile, or small animal may be spotted. Some of these pets are animals that were found on the streets, abandoned or neglected and in need of care. Scott, a formerly homeless man in Springfield, says that he found his best friend when he fed a stray half of his sandwich; this stray, now called Rookah, and was a vital part of Scott’s life on the road and his determination to find housing. Others are pets that remain from an individual’s domiciled life; Rebel Star lived with her owner in a house, then a van, and now camps off and on. Regardless of how or when they were acquired, these animals are a huge part of their owners’ life.

Homeless youth and adults alike reported that their pets provided them with a sense of security, companionship, unconditional affection, increased social interaction, and responsibility (Rhoades et al. 238). They are friends, family, defenders, and unconditional supporters; as researcher Aline Kidd explains, a pet “doesn’t tell on you, talk back, doesn’t care about the drool when you take pills. It loves you as you are. People are not like that” (Associated Press). These qualities make pets excellent motivators; because they provide a constant, reliable social attachment and a dependent to consider, they can change lives – even save lives.

For some, pets act as a “suicide barrier” – their owners feel they must stay alive because the animal depends on them for care and would otherwise be left alone (Irvine “Animals” 19). Trish, who had been homeless (meaning, for her, not living in a car or sleeping in the back of a store she worked at) off and on for ten years, claims her dog Pixel saved her life: “I was totally at rock bottom. I just wanted to die… But I couldn’t give up because I had something else to take care of besides myself. So he kept me alive… I didn’t care about myself, but I had to care about him” (Irvine “Animals” 16). Scott knows how Trish felt, though he keeps a strong outer appearance. In discussing Scott and Rookah, friend and outreach provider Terra Salinas wrote the following: “… He has a pet because he suffers from debilitating depression, and she helps to keep him calm and focused… because she gives him a sense of responsibility, which keeps him from searching for his drug of choice... because she needed someone to care for her, and he needed a reason to care... She is a lifeline” (Salinas).  Life on the road is lonely; this is undeniable. It is all too easy for those who have no support system to fall into despair. However, homeless pet owners score in the “normal” or nonclinical range on the Beck Hopelessness Scale – higher than non-pet owning counterparts – indicating they are not clinically depressed or hopeless despite their circumstances (Singer et al. 856). It is evident that pets like Pixel and Rookah help to ensure that despite the hardship, their owners live to see better times.

For those that may not be at high risk for suicide, pets still provide great motivation. In a study of homeless youth, a 20-year-old male stated “[Having the dog] makes me feel like I gotta stay healthier so the dog’s okay. I mean, if I just sit there and kick off somewhere the dog’s going to be stuck by herself” (Rew 129). In Leslie Irvine’s interviews with homeless and formerly homeless pet owners, a woman by the name of Donna claimed that for the sake of her dog she gave up drinking, heroine, and cocaine – cold turkey. “I realized Athena meant everything to me… my dog comes first in my life,” she stated (Irvine “Animals” 10).  Locally, many homeless pet owners report similar experiences. Their animals give them reason to continue, to be better. Scott now has housing, having worked hard to get himself and Rookah off the streets. For Sarah, Doc provided a reason to stay sober and work hard. Doc is a mix of Australian Shepherd, Pit Bull, and Corgi – and despite being “bull-headed,” as Sarah describes it, he is a loving companion who does not judge her past, but inspires her to work toward a better future.    

Pets of the homeless also provide an access point for outreach and service providers that may not otherwise be able to reach them; because the homeless pet owners are often unable to stay in shelters and may be suspicious of people they are unfamiliar with, they are more difficult to reach than those utilizing shelters and other services (Irvine “Animals” 7; Irvine et al. 29; Panning et al. 222). However, their pets’ needs often come before their own needs, and services providing assistance for their pets are often a gateway to getting the homeless help for themselves.  In Canada, veterinarians working under the concept of “One Health” help to connect veterinary care with human health and education services. Canada’s Community Veterinary Outreach first provide a veterinary appointment, then works in questions that may relate to human health; for example, to begin a smoker in a smoking cessation program, they might ask about a pet’s second-hand smoke exposure, explaining the impact of smoking on their pet (Panning et al. 222). Through this clever system, they are able to get people connected with beneficial services that they might otherwise miss out on, and bring about healthy changes that they might not make for themselves, but that they are willing to make for the health of their beloved pets.

While up to twenty-five percent of the homeless have pets, keeping pets in less than desirable situations is not always easy. The pets of the homeless still require food, water, exercise, and veterinary care. In Springfield, PAWS Pet Pantry is the sole provider of assistance for homeless pet owners, providing food, vetting, and other supplies. PAWS attends street outreach twice a week to meet their homeless clients, assess their animals, and provide for their needs. In other cities, similar outreach services are provided, and fortunately are becoming more and more frequent. Homeless pet owners may also benefit from donations and the kindness of passersby. Nearly everyone in a sample of 59 homeless pet owners from Colorado, California, and Florida reported receiving food from others; one even stated “I’ve actually taken back dog food that I’ve spent my own money on, ‘cause later in the day, somebody would buy me a better brand of dog food” (Irvine et al. 38). Countless outreach providers in the Springfield area keep dog and cat food in their cars for this very purpose. It is evident that while it may be difficult to take care of pets on the road, it is not impossible.

However, the pets of the homeless can create a barrier between owners and valuable resources. Few shelters allow pets, for reasons stemming both from health and liability issues; those that do allow animals on the property often require the animal to stay outside (Associated Press; Kidd and Kidd 718; Singer et al. 856). Only one shelter allows pets in Springfield, Missouri, and it’s a day shelter – it is not open all day, let alone for overnight stays. Dogs at this shelter must be tied outside, and kept within the limits of the city’s tethering law (tethered for no more than 30 minutes unattended) to avoid citations. Dogs must be in PAWS Pet Pantry’s program to be at this shelter, up-to-date on vaccinations, and approved by the shelter’s manager. While this is at least something, it still leaves all homeless pet owners out in the elements for extended periods of time with no hope for relief without abandoning what they consider to be family.

This is a critical issue; homeless pet owners often refuse housing, medical help, or other services that will not accommodate their pets (Kidd and Kidd 721; Singer et al. 856). Because their pets are often considered to be their family, leaving them behind even to utilize valuable resources is deemed unacceptable. It has been found that homeless youth will stay in potentially dangerous, violent situations for the sake of their pets, as will many victims of domestic violence; they cannot bear to leave their animals in a situation that risks their safety (Rhoades et al. 242). PAWS Pet Pantry has a partnership with C.A.R.E. Animal Shelter that allows them to house pets temporarily, but it is only for short-term stays and only for homeless pets at risk during inclement weather; the partnership cannot be utilized to assist domestic violence victims or others needing more long-term assistance.  The need for a better system of shelter is needed – but it is difficult to achieve, especially in a city with breed-specific legislation. Many of the homeless have pit bulls or pit bull mixes, which require additional registration with the city of Springfield’s Animal Control. Rabies vaccinations for homeless pet owners are often difficult to afford; additional registration fees (fifty dollars every year in Springfield) and supplies (muzzles, strong leashes, etc.) to avoid violations of the breed-specific legislation are nearly impossible.

While better sheltering systems are without a doubt needed, the thing homeless pet owners most desperately need is compassion. While a majority of homeless pet owners in Irvine’s report discuss the kindness of strangers, they also discuss negative confrontations from the public. The reports come from all walks of life: a young man who stays in a pet-friendly shelter and simply sits with his dog and reads during the day is told he should not have a pet if he does not have a place to stay; a middle-aged woman sleeping in her van due to a recent eviction is told she could have gotten rid of her dog; a woman in her mid-20s is told she simply doesn’t deserve a dog and surely cannot take care of him (Irvine et al. 30). These are only a few of the accounts listed.

Irvine herself admits having once tried to buy a dog off of a homeless man, hoping to give it a better life, only to be refused. The subsequent call Irvine made to Animal Control brings about perhaps the most important of points. The officers asked three things: if the dog was being harmed, if the dog was in distress, and if the owner had food and water for the animal; the answer to each was yes, and Animal Control stated he was doing nothing wrong (Irvine My Dog Always Eats 3). This is the reality for most of the pets of the homeless. They are well-loved, well cared for, and protected from the elements as much as possible by their human handlers. Locally, it seems that Clover, Dozer, and Shadow may be the perfect example.

Clover, Dozer, and Shadow all lived together with their humans in a little encampment just on the edge of Springfield. A terrier mix, a Lab mix, and a Border Collie mix, the three were pampered by their owners; Clover rode around in her owner’s coat, while Shadow and Dozer had coats of their own (Dozer’s even had cute little cows on it). They were kept in a tent heated with a propane generator, and had their own sets of blankets. When it was too cold, their owners contacted PAWS to have them taken to C.A.R.E. – not necessarily so their owners could take shelter, but so the dogs did not have to walk in the cold. When Clover was picked up, her owner (called Mama Kat) sent a sweater of her own so Clover would have something that smelled like “home.” The little terrier mix was spoiled rotten; at C.A.R.E., she did not eat until volunteers realized she was used to sitting on Mama’s lap, being hand-fed. Once this was realized, the situation was quickly corrected, and Clover was hand-fed lunch and dinner, getting the love she was so accustomed to until she could be returned to Mama.

This is the reality that innumerable bystanders simply do not see. They believe that the animals should have a house, air conditioning, heat – but these animals are happy with the lives they lead, and miss their owners when they are separated, just as their owners miss them. Because people believe that what homeless pet owners are doing is wrong, they scold them, try to buy what they consider to be their children – even steal the animals from them. In a heartbreaking video from 2015, members of French animal welfare group Cause Animale Nord stole a homeless man’s puppy as the puppy shrieked and the man screamed and cried after it, claiming he was a Roma beggar who was simply exploiting it; while the animal was later returned, it is a situation that never should have happened (Hall; Samuel). Irvine et al. stated “Pet ownership is considered nearly a birthright in contemporary Western societies. In most people’s everyday lives, the right to animal companionship and the ability to provide care are uncontested. The homeless are likely the only group criticized and stigmatized for having pets” (31). The homeless that have pets, like any domiciled person, generally have them because it is a responsibility they are capable of balancing. Stealing animals and belittling people for having a pet they can take care of when so many pets in homes are neglected is truly uncalled for.

Perhaps the concept that the homeless do not deserve to have animals stems from a fact that seems too often forgotten, or at least conveniently ignored – homeless people are, indeed, people. They are not necessarily homeless because they are lazy; people’s lives can change in an instant. Some may have mental illnesses that, untreated, keep them from getting jobs – and without jobs, their mental illnesses must remain untreated. Others have fled domestic violence. Some simply hit hard times after losing their job. Few choose to become homeless; life on the streets, in the heat and the cold, is not ideal for anyone. It must be understood that those that do choose to become or remain homeless do not do it for their own amusement; they do it because it is better than the alternative, for them; it is an alternative few have had to live or can even begin to imagine.  

The pets of the homeless provide responsibility, security, and unconditional love and loyalty to owners that desperately need it. Homeless pet owners suffer from less loneliness, depression, and isolation than their non-pet owning counterparts, benefiting from increased interaction and improved mental health. The animals they keep are either lifelong friends brought with them from their domiciled lives, or animals found on the streets that needed someone to care for them as much as the homeless needed someone to care for. These animals are not neglected, but are taken care of as best their owners can manage, and with a little help from generous donors and outreach services these pets thrive in their “home” with what may be their first real family. They may not be housed, but they play all day, are fed before anyone else, and are rarely if ever separated from the people they love; if that neglect, sign me up.

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Living Paycheck - To - Paycheck

We believe in being honest and down to earth in this blog. This was submitted by one of our volunteers and we asked permission to share.

At any given time, I have been $2 away from being homeless. A late paycheck that wasn't my fault; the loss of a long-time job, late fees upon late fees stacking up so much that it seems like I will never get caught up. Hit after hit and the stress keeps coming. I've lived in Springfield for 10 years and for 10 of those years, I've lived paycheck to paycheck. I have a college education (and degree) but not in factory work or medical care, which seems to be the only open well-paying jobs in Springfield. When I moved here, it was because my grandmother was struggling with her health. She ended up passing away a year after I moved here. I wouldn't trade that year for the world but when I moved here, I started over. I gave up my job, my life and my lifestyle to help take care of her when she needed it. Because to me, family is everything. Since then, it seems like I've been unable to catch up.

I have two cats who have been with me for 7 years and 15 years respectively. They have moved with me their whole lives and I wouldn't give them up for the world. There are some months they eat well, some months that they eat a lesser brand. Either way, they always eat better than I do.

I am one of many. We all have stories, hardships we have overcome and those we struggle to overcome daily. I try to give back when I can afford it, and when I can't, I volunteer one of my most precious remaining resources, my time. It is all worth it to be able to speak to a new client, or deliver to one, and be able to say “I know what you are going through. I've been there and we will get through this together” and mean it.

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BSL? Boo.

Did you know that Springfield, Missouri has Breed Specific Legislation (BSL)? BSL has been repealed in communities all around the United States. BSL ranges from restrictive measures to total breed bans, and can effect German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Chihuahuas, Pit Bulls... really any breed, depending on the legislation. The BSL in Springfield currently restricts owning a “Pit Bull,” which (in Springfield’s case) means American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, or any dog displaying the majority of physical traits of any one or more of the above breeds. Dogs that fall under BSL have a laundry list of requirements for ownership within the city limits of Springfield.

Springfield ordinance requires that BSL dogs be: 

registered ($50/year per animal)

muzzled while in public

spay/neutered

microchipped 

kept in an enclosure with a secure top and bottom (crated or in an enclosure set to certain specifications, meaning they cannot ride in cars without a crate, or enjoy playing in fenced back yards without being leashed and supervised)

There are also many other restrictions - just because of how these dogs look. From 2006 to 2015, the ordinance stated that if these dogs ended up running loose and the city picked them up, they were doomed if not reclaimed by their owners in 5 days. Luckily, advocate groups have been trying to change the ordinance, and while BSL still stands, they have succeeded in convincing city council to allow rescues to save BSL dogs from death row. Last year, only C.A.R.E. (Castaway Animal Rescue Effort) was allowed to save these dogs; now it's been opened up to any rescue that can afford the one million dollar insurance policy requirements. So far, no other rescues have stepped up to the plate, largely because a $1 million insurance policy is simply not affordable for most not-for-profit rescues. 

Would you want your dog taken away from you just because you didn't have the money to afford a muzzle? (We actually try to use Gentle Leaders instead.) What if you moved to Springfield without knowing about BSL and realized you didn't have the funds to get your dogs registered with the city for $50 each? Suddenly, your dogs are technically “illegal.” That's where PAWS comes in. We have helped as many BSL dogs as possible get compliant with the city laws.

Tonight at 6:30, City Council votes on whether or not to repeal BSL in its entirety! This would not only free more funds for PAWS  to put toward spay/neuter programs to prevent more litters, but also dissolve the discrimination these breeds receive in Springfield. It will allow an old dog who has done no wrong sunbathe in their yard unhindered; a sweet dog to go for a car ride without a kennel; a puppy to go outside for the first time without a muzzle or a gentle leader. We hope tonight will be life-changing for a lot of owners and BSL dogs in Springfield. 

Good luck!

[pawspetpantry-blog]

“She’s all I’ve got.”

“You all are angels.”

Four words – a message from an acquaintance from another agency, who had called upon us for help. Words that would be repeated, from that same acquaintance and from others.

I’m not an angel. Nowhere close. Perhaps my “partner in crime” is – but I think she’d disagree, too.

We were just called upon, and in the right places at the right times. But perhaps I’m getting ahead of myself – explaining just where we were might help.

Friday afternoon, we received the news that an old client of ours was going to the hospital unexpectedly. He is homeless, living from his car and bouncing place to place – and with him, his little dog. At eight or nine years old, she’s been with our client since she was a puppy. She adores him, and he her. A likely Chihuahua/Terrier mix, she’s all love and tail-wags – and her daddy has made sure that she’s certainly never missed a meal, even when times are tough. A car may not seem like the place for a man and his dog, to many - but to them, it is home.

So when her daddy had to go into the clinic, leaving her for just a little bit – like always – she curled up with his blankets and waited.  She had no way of knowing daddy was transported to the hospital as an emergency case – and daddy had no way of making arrangements for her.

So we were called – and we hurried to figure out a remedy to the situation.

As much as we would love to take in any of our friends’ fur-babies in times of dire need, we just can’t – we don’t have a location of our own, and our program just isn’t set up for it. The agency that contacted us knew this – but they hoped we might be able to at least point them in the right direction. We helped them with a list of other agencies that might be able to help them, and we hoped for the best right alongside them.

One by one, they went through the list - but one by one, things simply didn’t pan out.

Homeless with pets are unfortunately often chastised for having their animals. They’re put on the defensive. People question why they have animals when they can’t even take care of themselves. And though our client wanted to ensure his sweet little dog was safe, he grew fearful that if he allowed anyone to take her, he’d never see her again.

By 10pm, the list had been exhausted, the ice storm was coming, and that little dog was still in the car. Our hearts sank as we got the news. We began making calls of our own. Going through our contacts with other agencies, we were finally able to secure a temporary foster for the dog – we just had to get to her before the storm did.

Unfortunately Missouri has no state laws against dogs in hot or cold cars, so long as the dog has shelter, food, and water – nor does the city of Springfield. Animal control couldn’t do anything, at this point – because it was not an emergency based on city statutes, they could not come out after hours without permission to retrieve the dog - and our client was refusing to allow anyone the keys. Police weren’t able to help us unlock the car, either. We were told it was essentially hopeless – this man was not going to give up his keys, and we were not going to get to this little dog. The soonest we could hope for Animal Control or any other help was in the morning – and even then, it was only if they were granted permission.

With the ice storm looming, we couldn’t wait. We feared that if it hit as hard as people thought it might, no one would be able to get to her due to road conditions – and even if they did, the car would be encased in ice.

So we bundled up, and we headed for the hospital in hopes of doing the impossible.

When we got there, we were only allowed a short visit with our old friend. Staff were aware of the situation, and we were advised that there had been agencies here before us – we weren’t to get our hopes up. But we went back anyway, and we reintroduced ourselves. It had been a long time since our old friend had asked for our assistance – but he was a friend nonetheless.

At first, we received the same answer that those before us had received. He wasn’t going to give up his keys – he’d tend to her when he got home. But we talked to him gently about how long that might be, and the ice coming in. He hadn’t had time to give her extra food, extra water, and despite being sheltered and with blankets, it was getting cold.

We didn’t care about his situation, how much money he had, or how he and the dog lived.

Standing in that hospital room, not even a few hours out from the storm, we just cared about the dog.

Slowly, he opened up to us. She was his baby – she’d never been with anyone else. He didn’t want her to have to be. We assured him that she’d be returned to him as soon as he could leave the hospital – we just wanted him to be able to be well, and her to be safe.

And finally, he gave in.

Handing us his keys, our client pleaded we take good care of her – as he explained, “She’s all I’ve got.”

No one could believe it as we left that room, keys in hand.

We went to the lot where we were told he had parked, and we looked into the few vehicles there until we saw her. She was curled up with daddy’s blankets, lying in the middle of the van, staring up at us. When we got it open, she hopped seats, looking for daddy, worried about the strangers – but finally we were able to coax her out, taking daddy’s coat with her for comfort. We got her set up with her temporary foster, where she would be safe, warm, and fed until she and her daddy could be better again. She was nervous, at first – the people around her were strangers – but she quickly settled in.

Thankfully, just as quickly, she was able to go home.

We met up in another parking lot to return her – complete with a new coat, a collar, a leash, a squeaky toy, and a blanket. We had discovered she was missing some teeth – the only real sign of her age – and set her up with some softer food, too.

Her daddy was ecstatic to see her.

She was just as happy to see him – you’ve never seen a tail wag so fast! As she greeted him, her daddy explained that it had been the first night they had ever been apart. He was grateful for the love and care she had received - he even offered a Big Mac dinner for our efforts – but all we would accept were hugs.

Because we’re heroes. We’re not angels. This is just what we do.

We help as much as we can, and we keep families together.

Tonight this sweet pup and her daddy are back together again – and hopefully they will never have to spend another night apart. In the morning, they will pick back up where they left off, the best of friends on their own type of adventure.

And we will continue to do what we can to ensure friends like these are never parted.

We continue searching for a place of our own, and for new volunteers to help us grow to be the very best we can be. To join us, you don’t have to be an angel – we’re all gaining our wings as we go along. None of us are perfect – we just try to be in the right place at the right time, and to love our friends and their pets just as much as they love each other.

If you’re in the Springfield, MO area, you can e-mail volunteer.pawspetpantry@gmail.com to join our volunteer roster. If you aren’t in the Springfield area, but want to help, consider donating via our Amazon Wishlist, our Community Foundation of the Ozarks Account, or directly to our PayPal (pawspetpantry@gmail.com). If you can’t volunteer or donate, just follow our blogs, check us out on social media, and share - every share gets our story out to new readers, and you never know who might be looking!

- A. M.  

[pawspetpantry-blog]

Facing fears.

My first outreach, I was scared to death. I wasn’t a big people person to begin with. I liked animals – had always worked with animals. It was the people aspect that had me worried. I grew up as a military brat. I moved 8 times before I graduated high school. I have lived in multiple states, and even overseas. I learned about and adapted to other cultures with ease. One thing I never saw on a military base? Homeless. Going to this first outreach was like throwing me in a room full of crying babies: I had no idea what to expect, what to do, or how to handle it. 

 Another thing I learned as a military brat? How to face my fears.

So I drove to the outreach location and took a deep breath. I was early, and I had no idea where I was actually supposed to be. Outreach, at the time, was held in a dirt parking lot that was set a little back from a main road. There were cars parked in a gravel “lot” in front of an abandoned building in basically a warehouse district. There were people starting to gather together in a group, and I watched a few people with large backpacks on their backs making their way over the railroad tracks and towards that group.

It was time.

I met up with a friend of mine, Julie - the Director and Founder of PAWS Pet Pantry. She showed me what happened during the one hour outreach. There were two groups there, the Gathering Friends – who provided a meal for the homeless people – and PAWS Pet Pantry – who provided food, basic vetting, and collars, leashes, harnesses, and coats for the pets of the homeless. I met many people that night, but a few stood out as I followed Julie around that dirt parking lot.

Cave – a huge man who loves to give gentle hugs.

Pops – who is always recognizable because of the little dog (Gizmo) that rides on his shoulders as he walks.

Scott – one of PAWS’s first clients with his dog, Rookah.

It’s been over two years since I started with PAWS Pet Pantry and before every weekly outreach, I still take that deep breath. Sometimes there are so many new people needing help, both homeless and low income who find their way to us, that it is overwhelming. Sometimes it’s a “quiet” night, and we just have a few of the weekly regular “campers” (homeless who live in tents as their only shelter) who can only carry a week’s worth of food on their backs. Whether it is a quiet outreach or an insane one, I still leave each one knowing that we have helped. We have provided for those who need a helping hand up. We have broken the ice for owners who are unsure or struggling with putting aside their pride to ask for help when they need It by simply loving their animals with them. We have proven that we care as much about their animals as they do – and we are willing to help them if they need the help. We help them face their fears, just as I did that first outreach night. 

The goal is always for people to graduate from our program – to be able to provide food and shelter for themselves and their pets independently. But by the time they graduate, they know this: it’s okay to ask for help if you need it. Our volunteers love their pets as much as they do - our volunteers love them - and PAWS will always be there if they are in need. 

- L. K. 

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Scout isn't about to be left out - she says Happy New Year, too!

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Riley says Happy Mew Year!

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Counting down.

A year ago, Springfield was underwater. 

Not entirely - let’s not be dramatic - but there was certainly a great deal of flooding. I was new to PAWS, the baby of the group - as I still am - and still I felt the sheer hopelessness other homeless advocates felt. I was sitting in my studio apartment, watching the rain fall, as reports from just down the street drifted in. Tents gone. Belongings soaked. People freezing in the cold rain. 

Catastrophe. Blocks away. 

We responded as best we could. We rallied to warm those suffering from the chill. To launder clothes soaked by the storm. To rebuild. 

That’s when I met Clover. 

Clover is a Chihuahua / Terrier mix, spunky despite being nearly eight years old. She’s tiny, but she doesn’t know that - and you dare not tell her. When I met her, I hardly knew she was there - she was nestled in her mama’s hoodie, only to pop her head through the collar when called. Despite her stature she was convinced she was a little guard dog, willing to snap at anyone who got too close to Mama without permission. 

And somehow - some way - I was fortunate enough to become one of this little dog’s friends. 

A year ago, I sat on the floor with this little angel day after day, snuggling her like her Mama would. I fed her by hand, because it was what she was used to. I carried her when she demanded. And a year ago after giving her mama a few days to rebuild, I took her home. To a house, no. But home. 

Eight months ago, I was pulling on boots at midnight and throwing blankets in the car with haste, grateful that for once my nocturnal tendencies were good for something other than justifying my caffeine addiction. I met up with a fellow night-owl, and we went on a call we weren’t really meant to go on in the first place. 

We don’t do emergency vetting. We just can’t, as much as that breaks our hearts. But that night a dog had been hit by a car, and the dog’s owner was disabled. They weren’t asking us for vetting - just a ride. So we gave them one. As we loaded the dog - gentle as possible - we were told “the house, money - nothing matters but this dog.” 

We could tell it was meant.  We were honored to be trusted with such a treasure.  

Eight months ago, we left the emergency vet at two o’clock in the morning, the sweet dog sore but set to mend, her leg in a cast complete with an orange traffic cone to prevent future mishap.  Though we had needed no payment, the woman repaid us in stories - tales of as many grand adventures as would fit in the two hours.  And despite the exhaustion and the effort, I couldn’t help but to feel I got more out of the bargain than she had. 

Six months ago, I celebrated the one year anniversary of my first community event with PAWS. I attended the same Bare Minerals “Paws for the Cause” event at the local mall I had attended a year before, this time amidst friends instead of strangers. Those who had once been solely my superiors, guides to my volunteer efforts, were now my friends. 

And I was grateful. 

PAWS has become a large part of my life. I am a student, working toward a goal of becoming a veterinarian - but PAWS has shaped my journey. I have learned things I would never have learned without PAWS, and grown in ways I could not have imagined. 

Six months ago, I felt as though in this organization, I was home. And I still do.

But a month ago, we had to make a hard decision. 

Outreach is a major part of the PAWS program - it has been since I started. But we’ve moved locations, since I began. We’ve grown. We’ve worked in new programs that we have not had previously. And all of that’s great. 

But it’s cold. Too cold.  And the organization in which I am home - the organization that helps so many - is homeless itself. 

PAWS is boots-on-the-ground. It moves where we move. It lives in the hearts and souls of volunteers, board members - but it has not set location of its own. We work from our homes, our cars, on the streets - anywhere we can. 

But this year, we had to halt Outreach til the weather is stable. It was too cold to give vaccinations, too cold for volunteers to work to fill out forms with clients,  the weather too temperamental to properly prepare what our friends would need in the coming days.

A month ago, we stopped Outreach - but we started looking for a home. 

12 months, eight months, six months - one. 

And now we’re down to two. Not months, not weeks, but days.  Two days left in the year before we start all over again. 

In 2016, PAWS saw 4,000lbs - that’s two tons - of food distributed, 50 animals fitted with coats, 30 rabies shots, 17 spay and neuter surgeries, 66 animals vaccinated against Parvo and other serious diseases. 

What 2017 brings has yet to be seen. We want to be better. Get bigger. Reach further. To find our home. 

To do that, we need you. 

PAWS is 100% donation-based and volunteer-run. Without help from our community - from you - we would never be able to do what we do. 

PAWS can always use donations of food, collars, leashes, toys, and other items we distribute regularly. We accept donations of items for silent auctions and other fundraising efforts. And we can always use monetary donations to buy any of the previously mentioned. We have an Amazon Wishlist, a PayPal, and an account with Community Foundation of the Ozarks, all from which we accept donations. 

We can always use volunteers. They are the heart and soul of our organization. To join us, e-mail volunteer.pawspetpantry@gmail.com. 

And if you are too far away to volunteer, or unable to donate, that’s fine - we understand. You can make a difference, too, just by sharing this post and others like it. Help us reach your friends, your family, and beyond. The more people we reach, the more support we can receive. You never know where one share will lead. I’ve talked to friends about PAWS based on shares, and I’ve spoken to people across the world. It all starts with you.

This has been my very first full year with PAWS. I’ve met a tiny guard dog and gained in her a lifelong friend. I’ve made midnight rescue runs. I’ve met incredible dogs, come to know incredible people, and gained wonderful stories - many of which I hope to share with you. 

And I wouldn’t trade it for the world. 

However you can help, wherever you are, whatever you do - I hope you’ll spend the next year with us. 

- A. M. 

[pawspetpantry-blog]

So, this is Christmas.

So this is Christmas – and what have you done?

Another year over, a new one just begun…

Of all Christmas songs, it’s one that really makes you think (attaboy, John Lennon). Personally, I think it’s a great reminder in the midst of all of the holiday cheer; it’s important to not only enjoy our time with family and friends, but to think of all we’ve done, what we want to do, and all of the other lives that surround us.

PAWS Pet Pantry is a 501( c )3 non-profit dedicated to providing help to low-income, homeless, senior, and ill citizens of Springfield, MO with pet food, supplies, and vetting as donations allow. As Christmas settles in, looking back, we have done much. In 2016, we helped to provide those in need with:

Over 4000 lbs of pet food

Over 400 pet toys

More than 50 coats and blankets

66 Five-Way Vaccinations

30 Rabies Shots

17 Spay or Neuter Surgeries

17 Microchips

All in all, we’ve served over 200 families. And the need is still great.                      

As we enjoy our family and friends, we must remember that there are many less fortunate, not only locally but nation-wide – even worldwide. So long as there is a need, we must remember. As I spend my Christmas with friends and family, I know there are friends of PAWS who are spending the holiday in tents; while some of us might wish for a white Christmas, our homeless friends are surely grateful that they are not making their beds in and under snow.

Snow or not, it’s still cold.

But as the song said, this year is over. Our volunteers, board members, and friends are all settling in for the holiday however they can. But as we take these few days of rest, we look forward to the new year just beginning. We hope to reach out to the community in new ways, to serve and help more than ever before. This blog is just one step. We’ll be here to communicate with all of you, to answer questions, and to share stories.

Outside of the blog, we are striving to come up with new, fun fundraisers for our community, and ways to educate the public. We’re revamping our volunteer program. We’re looking for new ways to conduct outreach – and perhaps even a location of our own. We have gone farther than anyone could have dreamed we would in the beginning – and we are set on continuing to be the very best we can be.

We can’t be our best without you – our community. Near or far, you make a difference. Not only through kind donations, but by spreading awareness, sharing our stories, and making differences not only for us but in your own communities however you can, wherever they may be.

2016 has been a strange year for many, and for many reasons. But here’s to a new start, a new year – let’s band together and make it a good one.

From PAWS Pet Pantry to you, happy holidays. We send our love, no matter what you believe or what you may celebrate this time of year. May you have a great time with friends and family – or even simply time for peace and rest for yourself.

A very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year

Let’s hope it’s a good one, without any fear

- A. M. 

(Note: Lyrics from John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (War is Over)” – we claim no rights to this song)