If the first DFW Pets Are Family event of 2023 was any indication, it's clear these resources are essential lifelines for the community!
As volunteers arrived before sunrise to set up, a line of cars had already formed; pet families making their way to the event early to ensure their pets got what they needed. By the afternoon, the line of cars stretched more than a mile down the road, and even when this meant the wait for food and vaccines could last more than an hour, car after car flagged volunteers down just to say thank you - and to show off some of the cutest pets we've ever seen!
All told, more than 18,000 lbs of food were provided to pet families. The need for veterinary care was so great that supplies ran out! Luckily, clients were able to be directed to an upcoming vaccine clinic - another chance to form connections with these incredible families.
***CHECK OUT THE IMPACT REPORT IN THE UPDATES BELOW FOR THE FULL PICTURE OF EVERYTHING WE DID THAT DAY***
With more than 2,344 pets registered for the event but just 1,401 receiving services, we know more work is ahead of us. Perhaps some families couldn't get to this particular location, perhaps some other part of daily life got in the way...regardless, with THREE MORE EVENTS scheduled this year, we plan to connect with those 943 pets who didn't make it to us - AND MORE.
These events run off donations and the goodwill of those who believe that pets and their people are worth fighting for. Your donation today will help us reach even more pets at our next DFW Pets Are Family event in early June. Please consider sending an item or two off our wishlist and helping a community that so clearly loves its animals. And don't forget to scroll through our photos to see the pets and people we met!
👇 👇 Need a reminder of where we started? Take a look at our original wishlist plea below 👇 👇
Pets belong at home with the people who love them, not in shelters because times are tough. That's why we, and other Dallas Fort Worth area organizations are coming together to provide a day of food, supplies, and services to the community - BUT DONATIONS ARE DANGEROUSLY LOW!
At our last community event in Dallas, over 500 families in need showed up, some as early as 7am, to seek help. At a time when our local shelters are completely full, we simply cannot afford to let even one of these pet families slip through the cracks and their animal end up being surrendered. At just one shelter in our area, pet intakes increased by nearly 10%, last year, compared to 2021.
When families have trouble accessing resources and feel like there are no options, they are more likely to make desperate decisions and pets can end up being surrendered, even when they are so loved. We started these events last year, when a collective of area organizations, including ours, came together, with the support of CUDDLY. We provided almost 100,000 lbs of food over the course of several events, plus free medical services and supplies to local families. Even so, it was a drop in the bucket compared to the need and shelter intake continues to be sky high.
We commited to doing these events again because pets and their families need us. But we need you.
Please consider donating an item off our wishlist today to provide that help. A single bag of food can help keep a pet in their home for another month and can give a family the lifeline they so desperately need.
Sign up for Full Bowls Club at checkout to make a bigger impact by supporting these events all year long.