REGIONAL – With the long federal government shutdown that threatened to shut off SNAP food assistance, there has been a lot of focus on the dozens of food pantries for people in our area.
But what about food and supplies for pets?
Shayna Gatautis and Toni Knott, both residents of Georgetown, have launched the Essex County Pet Pantry, a not-for-profit organization that aspires to make pet food and supplies accessible to families that are struggling to keep their furry friends fed.
“Our hope is to build a sustainable, county-wide network that ensures no pet goes hungry and no family has to make the heartbreaking choice between caring for themselves or their furry loved ones,” Gatautis wrote.
Knott, who has fostered as many as 11 dogs, wrote: “The cost to love a pet is real. Food, vet visits and trying to keep up with their needs is overwhelming. The economy right now is terrible and getting worse. People are going without and pets are being surrendered because of the struggle.”
The two are working with a similar pet pantry in Central Massachusetts, which solicits donations, food and supply as well as financial contributions. The plan is to have central locations for drop off and pick up or delivery.
“Essex Country Pet Panty is here to help. We don’t want you to give up your pets or for them to go without. They are a part of our families,” Gatautis wrote.
Food pantries like the First Parish Newbury Food Bank in Newbury offers pet food, along with collecting and distributing food and supplies for humans. A partnership with these food banks, which have highly developed collection and distribution programs, could help solve the problem of pet lovers having to give up pets when the caregiver has problems.
Donors can order through our Amazon or Chewy wish lists, which ship directly to our volunteers’ homes. We also accept Venmo, PayPal, checks or cash.
“Every donation, big or small, helps keep local pets fed and loved,” Gatautis wrote.
For more information or to support the organization, its email is
Essexcountypetpantry@gmail.com
