C.O. Council on Aging holding ‘Food Fur All’ fundraising effort for program that helps seniors feed, care for pets

(Update: adding comment from Council on Aging, and volunteer driver)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Council on Aging of Central Oregon is hosting a fundraising campaign this month to provide needed resources to seniors with pets. The "Food Fur All" campaign aims to assist them with their pets' veterinary needs, as well as provide monthly pet foods and supplies.

"They (pets) are pretty important to those folks, so it's almost like a child to them sometimes," Meals on Wheels volunteer driver Ted Hasse said Thursday. "Just being able to bring a smile to folks that sometimes can't even get out of their homes."

Hasse helps deliver pet food and supplies every month to elderly folks. He says they will often sacrifice eating their own meals to give to their pets.

"Traditionally, older adults are on fixed incomes, and so when your house prices are rising, when your food prices are rising, you have to make decisions," council Director of Communications and  Programming Emma Fried-Cassorla. "And sometimes that decision is either that you cannot support your pet, or some people will decide that they won't support themselves in order to be able to support their pet."

The program has also been crucial in supporting folks with service animals.

"We have a client whose name is Maddie, and her cat is Baby," Fried-Cassorla said. "And Baby is actually a support animal for her. And she has sleep apnea, and sometimes the cat will actually pounce on her chest, to make sure that she's still breathing, or to wake her up if she's having any sort of episodes."

Maddie is one of 116 seniors with pets being directly supported by the Food Fur All Campaign.

"She has told us that the only reason she's able to keep Baby and sort of keep this lifeline is by having the support of Pet Pals," Fried-Cassorla said.

The Council on Aging is rolling out this campaign for the second year, after raising over $15,000 in 2023. Their goal is to surpass that amount, in order to continue supporting over 170 pets in Central Oregon.

"That means buying pet food and pet supplies," Fried-Cassorla said. "It means providing veterinary care through FIX BEND, aAnd also our partner down in La Pine, Wickiup Animal Hospital." 

Donations to the Food Fur All Campaign will also be matched by Cascade natural Gas as well as anonymous donors. Currently, the Council on Aging is operating the pet supply service in Bend, Sisters, LA Pine and Madras, with hopes to expand to Prineville.

 Folks can not only get involved by donating money or supplies, but they can also donate their time and become a volunteer driver.

Here's more information, from the Council on Aging:

For many seniors, fur babies are like a best friend. They smile with their tails and love you just the way you are. But for some people, it’s not always easy to get to the pet store, and vet bills can add up. That’s why the Council on Aging of Central Oregon offers the Pet Pals Program. We deliver monthly pet food and supplies and assist with basic veterinary care for Meals on Wheels clients. 

We do this to ensure that seniors like Phillip never have to choose between caring for themselves or their cherished pet. 

This September, we’re hosting our Food Fur All fundraiser to benefit this program. Your donation will support our free clinics, in-home veterinary care, dry and wet food, as well as supplies like beds, cat litter, treats, and carriers. 

Pets provide physical and mental support to seniors, especially to those who are homebound. Having a cat, dog, or even a cockatiel has been shown to significantly reduce the feelings of loneliness and social isolation, lower stress and anxiety, increase cognitive engagement, and lower blood pressure. 

When you support our Food Fur All campaign, your donation goes a long way. Not only are you helping to improve the well-being of Meals on Wheels clients and their pets, but you will also be matched by anonymous individual donors and Cascade Natural Gas, who is providing a grant through the Oregon Low-Income Bill Assistance program.

Here are some ways to donate:

Donate online and write a comment that your donation is for Pet Pals

Send a check and note that it’s for Pet Pals to:
Council on Aging
1036 NE 5th Street
Bend, OR 97701

Council on Aging tax identification number: 93-0661229

Thanks to your generous donations, we will be able to provide pet food, essential supplies, and vital veterinary care to Central Oregon’s seniors and their pets. Your kindness and generosity will make a significant impact on the well-being of our vulnerable neighbors and their animal companions.