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| CRBJ Home > June 2006 | ||||||
Kibble on Wheels helps homebound petsJames Edward Mills
The computer software sales representative said he never realized that the less fortunate who have difficulty feeding themselves may also lack the capacity to feed their dogs, cats and birds. "For people who have a tough time making ends meet or who may be shut-in, pets are very important," Rewey said. "They need attention, too." Rewey, 53, is a volunteer in a new program launched this spring called Kibble on Wheels. Through Independent Living, the same nonprofit organization that provides more than 200 Meals on Wheels a day in Dane County to the elderly and disabled, Rewey delivers food for their companion animals. "It's an under-served population when it comes to taking care of the less fortunate," he said. Patricia Eldred, director of development and communications at Independent Living, said that in the past, Meals on Wheels clients often shared the food they received with their pets. "So not only were they not getting proper nutrition, their pets were not getting proper nutrition either," Eldred said. In partnership with the Dane County Humane Society and Mounds Pet Food Warehouse, Eldred said Independent Living can now offer its Meals on Wheels clients the means to feed their companion animals for free. "Though there would seem to be no logical connection between those three entities, it has worked out really well," she said. "It's a wonderful collaboration between two nonprofit organizations and a for-profit community leader doing what's best for people and their pets." Kibble on Wheels volunteers like Rewey pick up food from Mounds stores and deliver it to pet owners. Steve Lokker, director of community outreach for the Humane Society, said each client's food is specially selected. "The food that is delivered is tailored to the animal and to the animal's diet," Lokker said. "If it's an elderly cat they get elderly-cat food." Kibble on Wheels organizers believe the program removes barriers that might dissuade those who need a pet most from getting one. "There are studies that have documented the impact, especially of the elderly and shut-ins, of having a companion animal," Lokker said. "They're happier, their blood pressure is lower. Just having an animal in the house is a healthy experience." jmills@madison.com madison.com ©2009 Capital Newspapers. All rights reserved. |
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