Pasadena Humane Helps Families Who Are Struggling Financially to Feed Their Pets

Some area families struggling with food insecurity face the devastating decision to give up a beloved pet because they can’t afford its food.

Pasadena Humane is working to prevent this by providing services to pet families in crisis through its program called Helping Paws.

“The goal is for pets to stay with the families who love them, pets like Rede, Sophia, and Chloe, beloved Chihuahua companions of Pasadena resident Laura DiCesare,” wrote Dia DuVernet, Pasadena Humane President and CEO in a recent column for the Pasadena Star-News.

“Doctors had advised Laura DiCesare to take a leave of absence from work due to a health condition that put her at considerable risk if she contracted the virus. The reduced income made it difficult to afford to care for her pets, especially since Sophia suffers from a seizure disorder that requires daily medication and routine blood tests.”

“Since enrolling in “Helping Paws,” DiCesare has been provided free food for her three dogs through the program’s Pet Food Bank. The dogs have also been eligible to receive free vaccines through Pasadena Humane’s low-cost vaccine clinic.”

Ryne Meadors, Vice President of Community Engagement at Pasadena Humane said Helping Paws is a “safety net” for pet owners struggling financially.

Basically, the program provides food for pets that is good for two months.

According to Meadors, Pasadena Humane has been serving more than 250,000 pet meals annually through its food bank.

Aside from access to its food bank, Helping Paws also provides members of the community in need access to veterinary services and more.

“We do have veterinary resources that are a part of our Helping Paws program. So it does provide for low-cost spay/neuter services at the shelter.”

“Pet parents can also sign up to receive low-cost vaccines for their pets as well as microchips.”

“That’s one of the things that we encourage all pet owners to do to make sure that their pets are not only microchipped but that their microchips are registered in the database of the company of the manufacturer.”

Given all the resources, if the pet family still can no longer take care of their pets, Pasadena Humane also helps assist them in getting their pets adopted.

Through the home-to-home adoption page in Pasadena Humane’s website, pet owners can post information about their pets with the goal of finding someone who is willing to adopt them.

People who want to be considered for the Helping Paws program and the other services being offered by Pasadena Humane can submit an application to Pasadena Humane’s website. https://pasadenahumane.org/services/owner-assistance/

Since 1903, Pasadena Humane has been offering lifesaving programs and services for animals and the people who love them in the Greater Los Angeles Area.

At its Pasadena campus, it provides shelter and dedicated care for thousands of the most vulnerable animals in the community.

In 2021, Pasadena Humane helped nearly 40,000 animals through adoptions, wildlife rehabilitation, lost and found, veterinary services, and surrender prevention assistance.