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Month: May 2018

Sharing Food and Supplies Hurts So Good

By Amy Hempe, Colorado Pet Pantry volunteer 

There really is such a thing as giving until it hurts (our muscles at least!).

Not that that’s a bad thing.

We are thrilled to have two incredibly generous donations this month: from UNFI and Animal Supply Company. In all, we had 40 pallets of pet food – that comes to 60,000 pounds of kibble.

Despite having sizable warehouse space and volunteers who have done some serious organizing in there, we knew that we would not be able to store all of that kibble and use it quickly enough. The donations were simply that massive.

However, we do not like to turn food away, and we knew that others might be able to take a large chunk of it. We sent the word out to our Animal Welfare Share Program partners in the area and told them that on Wednesday, May 9, we would be at the warehouse all day if they wanted to come by and grab a pallet or two. Our forklift and muscles were ready.

Some of the early arrivals included Soul Rescue and Circle 2 Rescue, both of whom arrived with their large vans. Eileen operated the forklift while volunteers Amanda, Shanna, Sarah, Amy, and Ernie loaded individual bags. The rescue vehicles were packed to the absolute (legally allowable) brim, ensuring that rescue dogs and cats they serve would be well fed.

We also happily loaded up the trucks for Happy Haven Farm & Sanctuary, Metro Denver CAT, Moms and Mutts, Team Leo, Retriever Rescue of Colorado, Forgotten Felines Rescue, Colorado Animal Care Foundation, Sugar Dogs, Arlene’s Angels, Ho-Bo Care Boxer Rescue, Duncan’s Place, Colorado Pet Food Bank (a separate organization that serves the Eastern Plains), Front Range German Shepherd Rescue, OutPaws, Hope For Animals, Steel City Alley Cats Coalition, and Cooper’s Companions. We carried hundreds of bags, loading trucks, vans, and cars past sunset. The warehouse was toasty and we might have all smelled like pet food at the end. We got dirty and sweaty, and our arms felt like limp rubber bands by the end of the day. And it was all completely worth it.

This is a huge part of what makes our mission at Colorado Pet Pantry so rewarding. When we can work with other rescues to help them accomplish their missions, then we know that we are spreading the love. We all want to help dogs and cats in need, whether they are living with families already and just need a little help with getting food, or they are in foster care awaiting their forever homes. We all share the belief that pets are family.

The Colorado Pet Pantry definitely hit the jackpot with those fabulous donations. And the best thing about that was we could share this with others.

Dogs and cats are getting fed, and we got our workout. It was a pretty great day.

Huge thanks to UNFI and Animal Supply Company, and all of our volunteers who make this work possible. Many thanks as well to Cheryl at MaxFund who has mastered the art of connection and helped us to secure these donations.

We Need You!

Want to volunteer with us at a pet food bank or event? Or email us if you would like to help in the warehouse or with administrative work.

dog at hospital smiling

Myth-Busting for our Pets: Spaying and Neutering Edition

Bob Barker was a great game-show host and entertainer extraordinaire and told us daily to spay and neuter our pets. So, did he have a point, or was he just playing us like we were a game of Plinko?

To spay and neuter your pet can help control the animal population, relieve pressure on shelters/rescues, and give pets quality lives. But indecision to go forward with it can come from the result of constant myths, lies, and exaggerations that have been spread through the grape-vine for what feels like decades. But hey, who can blame you for worrying? A pet is a member of the family. Our furry loved-ones impact our lives in so many ways; of course, we want the best for them! And we’d never want to hurt them. Well, fear not! We’re here to provide our own version of myth busting — with a furry spin on it.

But before we go to said myth busting, know that ultimately it’s up to you; we’re simply here to provide a little information for your consideration.

So with that, here are a few myths you may have heard over the years, and why they’re wrong:

MYTH: It’s better to have one litter before spaying a female pet.

This is just false. Studies have shown that not only is this not true, it is actually healthier for a female pet to be spayed before their first litter. It ultimately leaves them with a better quality of life. As a result, some vets will now sterilize dogs and cats within 8 weeks of age.

MYTH: Male dogs will lose their “masculinity” if they are neutered; they need to have sex.

The only thing that will be affected if your male pet is neutered will be the influence of hormones. Your pet will retain its personality that is unique to him. Evidence points to this fact and underlines that your pet will not lose its temperament or training. The benefits of unlocking the best of your pet by neutering are wide, including:

  • Less likely to roam away from home
  • A drop in the need to urine mark
  • A drop in unnecessary aggressive, and violent behavior

And of course the various, indirect benefits to the pet community and general public.

MYTH: Spaying and neutering will cause my pets to gain weight.

Also false. Your pet will only gain, r lose weight, depending on the amount of exercise he/she receives, as well as your pets nutrition regimen. As long as you keep your pet active and eating healthy, you should not see any noticeable gain in weight.

MYTH: Spay/neuter operations are expensive.

Often times, you’ll find that spaying or neutering your pets can be less expensive in the long run than caring for one who hasn’t had work done. The effects of your furry loved one who remains unnecessarily aggressive, or that continues to urine mark, will add more stress emotionally, and to your bank account, than anyone wants.

MYTH: Spaying/neutering is unhealthy for pets.

Just the opposite! There are numerous health benefits accompanied by spaying and neutering.

  • Pets live a longer, healthier life
  • Pets are more friendly, kind and focused
  • Neutering male dogs helps to reduce the risk of prostate cancer
  • Spaying female cats helps to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, and greatly reduce the risk of breast cancer
  • Females in heat will show nervous behavior, often cry incessantly and attract unwanted, male attention. Spaying will free them of such a burdensome trial.

These are just a few myths that we hope to have cleared up for you. Doesn’t sound like such a bad idea, right? Maybe that Bob Barker guy knew what he was talking about, after-all.

At Colorado Pet Pantry, we work with Spay Today and Dumb Friends to help our clients spay and neuter their pets. We are very grateful for their partnership in this important effort to reduce the number of homeless pets. See more in the video below: