Banfield Charitable Trust donates for local pet food program

Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties recently received financial support through a grant from the Banfield Charitable Trust to help feed pets of homebound seniors who receive meals from Meals-on-Wheels.  “Ani-Meals,” which began in 2009, aims to help the needy homebound take care of their companion animals—primarily dogs and cats.

“The program has been very successful,” said Amy Jackson, Meals-on-Wheels director of development. “It is an added benefit to our home-delivered meal program.  We want to ensure that our clients are getting the proper nutrition through daily meals, and not sharing those (meals) with their furry friends,” she added.  

Meals-on-Wheels has partnered with local city animal shelters and the Ellis County SPCA to help with the collection and distribution of the pet food.  Donated pet food is delivered by volunteers on the first Saturday of each month.  Currently, the program is serving Burleson, Cleburne, Waxahachie and Ennis, and is looking to expand the program into surrounding communities. 

The Trust’s mission to facilitate solutions so that no one must ever face the heartbreaking decision of having to surrender a pet. This mission compliments and extends the Banfield vision of treating pets like family beyond our hospital walls by offering hope and support to pets and the people who love them.

“We’re thrilled to support dynamic organizations that put Pets and their families first in their local communities,” said Dianne McGill, executive director and chief executive officer of the BCT.  “Through our relationship with the Meals On Wheels Association of America, we have seen firsthand is how important pets are to homebound seniors. In many cases, their pets are their only family,” she added.

Meals-on-Wheels is a community benefit organization serving the homebound elderly and disabled residents throughout Johnson and Ellis Counties for 34 years.  If you are interested in Meals-on-Wheels services or would like to be more involved with the organization, contact Meals-on-Wheels at 817-558-2840 in Johnson County, 972-351-9943 in Ellis County, or online at www.servingthechildrenofyesterday.org.  

About the Banfield Charitable Trust

Banfield Charitable Trust, a 501©(3) nonprofit public charity founded in 2003, was founded in response to Banfield associates’ requests for a way to take Banfield’s vision of treating Pets like family beyond the walls of the hospitals. In addition to providing preventive care to clients in need, the Charitable Trust also supports childhood education about caring for Pets, veterinary education program, and programs to enhance the family-Pet bond.