Animeals Program Helps Seniors Keep Their Pets

“Many of our homebound senior clients who live alone depend on their pets for companionship but providing food and veterinary care while living on a limited income can be a challenge,” said Charlie Ring, executive director of Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches. “Through our new Animeals program we’re able to help relieve some of the burden on our clients who love and care about their cats and dogs so deeply.”

“Meals on Wheels is about helping seniors stay in their home and live a high quality of life,” said Debbie Emerick, director of volunteer services for Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches, who learned about the Banfield grant while at a national Meals on Wheels conference. “Being able to keep their beloved pets at home with them is an important part of that quality of life.”

In addition to providing immeasurable benefit to the seniors, who might become increasingly isolated without the company of their pets, it also keeps their companion animals, whom are often senior themselves, from ending up in the shelter to face an uncertain fate.

Thank you to Life With Cats for providing this heartwarming story.