Helping the Community
The Pet Food Pantry Helps Low-Income Families Stay Together

Tree House’s mission is to help the abused, neglected and abandoned animals of Chicago but the care doesn’t stop at our door. We have many programs to help educate the community and promote the mutually-enriching human/animal bond. One of these programs is our pet food pantry. We all know that taking care of a pet is a life-long commitment. In a perfect world, everyone would be able to provide for all of their pet’s needs for their entire lives but sometimes our financial circumstances change for the worse. When that is the case, Tree House’s Pet Food Pantry is available to give food to those who are economically disadvantaged.

This has helped many people like Marcus and Erainya Newell, who continue to care for their two cats, Diamond and Whiskers, on a fixed income. The Newells have been participating in the program for four years after Marcus lost his job and had to ask for public aid. They are always happy with the quantity and quality of the food that they receive. An added bonus is being able to visit with the cats in our reception room when they pick it up. "We always enjoy visiting with the Tree House cats," said Mr. Newell. "It's great that you all can help the cats and help people to help their own cats too."

Diane Styles is another Pet Food Pantry program participant. She said that she has loved animals passionately all of her life which prompted her to get a job as a caretaker at Tree House eight years ago. "When I worked at Tree House I learned that kittens and cats have many emotions and go through the same things that humans do," said Styles. Styles said that she really enjoyed her time working at Tree House. "I used to sing to all the new arrivals and the sick kitties in the ISO's. (the isolation units where all of our new arrivals are treated and monitored upon arriving here). I also brought food for the staff and treats for the cats". Although, Styles moved on to another job, she is still devoted to our cause. "I send people to Tree HOuse all the time when they ask me about spaying or neutering their pets or what to do when they find a stray or where to go if they don't have enough money to buy pet food," she exclaimed. We are proud that Styles is not just a passive participant in our program and thankful for her moral support. We know that her two cats, Major and Perfect are well-taken care of and we are glad to play a part in it.

Leona Lemansky distributes the pet food during her volunteer shift on Thursday mornings. She says that being able to help out the low-income pet owners makes her happy. "Most people are really nice and appreciate our help a lot," said Lemansky.

Currently there are 80 active recipients in our Pet Food Pantry program. To be eligible people must have proof of low-income status, their pets must be spayed or neutered, and we must be able to verify the surgery with their vet. Food is available to the client a maximum of two times per month and at each visit they will be given a two-week supply.

For some low-income people and the elderly, a pet may be their only friend. And caring for that pet can be difficult, even impossible. Imagine choosing between a pet and your own needs when you have so few dollars. This is a choice many disadvantaged people must make everyday--and it’s a hard one. We hope that our Pet Food Pantry helps the people and the animals that need it so that they do not ever have to make the choice between providing for themselves or their animal companions.

The Pet Food Pantry is funded solely by food donations. We accept any brand of dog or cat food and treats.

To register for the program contact The Pet Food Pantry at (773) 784-5488 ext. 221.