THE PET PROJECT
http://www.thepetprojectmn.org/

Last week, we heard a presentation by Kimberly Carrier, founder of a nonprofit organization called The Pet Project. As all of the people present for Kim's talk, we were deeply moved by her cause and impressed with what she has accomplished.

The mission of The Pet Project is to help people keep their pets by providing pet food and basic supplies to those who are struggling. The Pet Project also provides connections to basic veterinary care and information on finding pet-friendly housing.

In today's economy people are being forced to choose between trying to keep their homes and pay their bills and caring for themselves and their pets. Kim told about animal shelters having people crying in their lobbies as they make the painful decision to surrender their beloved animal companions because they can no longer care for them properly.

A hairdresser by trade, Kim decided she had to do something about the situation of people losing their pets due to having fallen on hard times. She discovered that most food shelves don't provide pet food because it isn't part of their stated mission. Yet they accept donated pet food and distribute it to people who need it.

The Pet Project helps to keep pets with families by providing pet food to food shelves and working with veterinarians to provide basic, non-emergency services. It also has housing resources listed on its website for those facing foreclosure.

Kim says that she needs monetary donations to buy the thousands of pounds of pet food she donates each month. We were touched by her examples of children raising money for the organization by asking friends not to give them birthday or bat mitzvah presents but to bring a donation for The Pet Project instead.

If you haven't heard of this organization, we thought you'd like to have it brought to your attention. Visit the website and see if there's something you feel called to do to help.

We all listened to Kim's stories and her mission with gratitude for people like her who see a need and gather all the resources they can find to fill it. In addition to her full time job, she volunteers as much as 35 hours a week helping people take care of and keep their pets. She has plans to expand the program nationwide.

What charities that help people and animals have touched your heart?

Allen and Linda Anderson
ANGEL ANIMALS NETWORK
www.angelanimals.net

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