OPINION
I could be wrong but it seems this year PetCo Stores is saying HUMBUG to the Christmas spirit by declining to donate unused, ripped, dented, or pet food that otherwise cannot be sold to the public. Tamara (Tammy), store manager at the Lake Oswego, Oregon PetCo store told our volunteer she would not or could not participate. Perhaps the owners of PetCo have given her strict orders not to cooperate with local non-profit organizations. We later contacted the store manager and asked her if it was true the store has refused.
She wouldn't give us any information other than to confirm the refusal. She also refused to give her last name or the name of the district manager, or any additional information. Again, I could be wrong but it sounds to me the store is a bit paranoid. We then contacted the corporate office to ask about such policies.
The corporate rep, who also refused to be identified, told me that PetCo wasn't interested and would not talk about it.
Okay. Seems pretty clear to me that PetCo has no interest in this regard as they may need to simply hurry to fill those cash registers. I hope I'm wrong. All only need to contact us at the location I gave them for their response so we can correct any misconceptions.
But as it seems now, for PetCo, there's no time for the needy and I'd guess no time for homeless people with pets. Perhaps I don't have full picture but this all seems to run against the Christmas spirit.
What is the problem? Why is PetCo apparently against giving pet food to needy pets destined for the garbage bin? Is it better to simply toss the pet food into the trash instead of feeding pets with homeless people? I'd really like to know.
Perhaps PetCo will change its corporate mind. If not there are plenty of other stores with hearts all year round. Until then I'm taking my business elsewhere where I know the people actually loves pets, not just the all mighty buck.
This week is Feed A Pet week and The Oregon Herald has joined with other organizations collecting food for pets and needy families to be distributed for the Christmas season. The organization is nonprofit and provides pet food to the homeless. Our happy independent volunteers seek pet food from local pet stores and deliver to pet food banks and directly to families with pets.
A well dressed woman walks up to a homeless man and gives him a bag of fast food on her way to work. The man has been sitting on the sidewalk in the same spot for weeks, he looks up and says “God bless you.” The woman nods and walks away but not before she turns to see him open the bag and remove a burger, take a bite and give the rest to his dog.
This scene is probably something that goes on more often than we'd like to ponder. It's estimated by the National Coalition for the Homeless that 3.5 million people are homeless. Between 5% to 10% of homeless people have dogs and/or cats. In some areas of the country the rate is as high as 24%.
Most people who experience homelessness are homeless for a short period of time, and usually need help finding housing or a rent subsidy. But unfortunately for those with pets it becomes more difficult. Many are forced to choose between their pet or a roof over their head. Surprisingly, most choose to stay on the streets with their pets for longer periods of time. Their pets are nonjudgmental, providing comfort, an emotional bond of loyalty. In some cases they provide the homeless with protection and keep them warm. The tragic part is that the pets of the homeless do not choose their owners. To donate pet food in your community check to see if a local collection site is listed. If not, take an extra can or bag of pet food to your local veterinarian or another business and ask him/her to enroll so you and others in your community can help feed the pets of homeless and disadvantaged.
