Building a new home for our Pet Pantry

When families turn to the Richmond SPCA because they are struggling to care for their companion animals, we make every effort to work with them on solutions that let the pet stay in the home with the people who love them. One measure to help cats and dogs remain in their homes is to provide temporary pet food assistance.

Donated supplies of dog and cat food are available to guardians who ask for help from our Pet Pantry, which assisted 140 people last year. Previously, food would be requested from our admissions department, for a counselor to make an appointment for guardians to pick up supplies.

Enhancing access to pet food

Scheduling is a barrier to some, whether due to embarrassment or inconvenience, so making the Pet Pantry self-service lets this program serve more guardians and their pets.

Kimber Reeves, a local Girl Scout, contacted the Richmond SPCA seeking a suitable project for her Gold Award. Creating an outdoor, weather-proof, self-service home for the Pet Pantry was a perfect fit to make the impact she had in mind for this award.

Working with our facilities department and Ulrich Lifestyle Structures, Kimber finalized plans for the site and design of a shed that will improve access to pet food for those who need it.

The next step: Fundraising

Kimber’s goal is to raise $3,500 for the shed, which was installed between the ramps to our humane center’s main entrance and the rear of our volunteer welcome center. Support this volunteer project by making a tax-deductible gift below.

Any funds raised above the project goal will be used to sustain our Pet Pantry program.