Many suffered as a result of the government shutdown that just ended two weeks ago. Even pets felt the financial repercussions. At the Monadnock Humane Society in Swanzey, services are being offered to help those who may be struggling to care for their pets.
The Animal Safety Net provides a safe place for those who have been displaced from their homes, or are homeless, to bring their pets until they are under better circumstances. This service is also used by those suffering from domestic violence or who are in the hospital or drug rehabilitation, unable to care for their pets.
Once the government shutdown had been going on for a while and the nation could see that government employees were struggling to make ends meet, the Humane Society decided to do their part, according to Executive Director Kathy Collinsworth.
“We put a shoutout on Facebook like a lot of other organizations were doing. We thought this is just a way, if there are people who are running out of food stamps or are really struggling with making rent, we wanted to remind them about this program,” Collinsworth said. “We’re trying to get it out more broadly. We want to be sure that people not as close to us know that these services are available. Our outreach has created a surprising amount of interest.”
Initially, however, the program was started to help those fleeing from domestic violence situations.
“Then we realized that homelessness and drug addiction were actually more prevalent than domestic violence,” Collinsworth said.
Going through a housing transition can be an arduous process. The Animal Safety Net also serves to assist people going through that.
“We had a couple pull up here in a U-Haul and drop their pet off because they needed to find other housing,” Collinsworth said. “Subsidized housing in our area usually has a huge waitlist. Just that wait time of when can I get secure housing again is part of the problem.”
The Animal Safety Net was originally funded in 2017 by the 100+ Women Who Care Cheshire County. This is a group of women who meet quarterly to donate to a non-profit organization. Non-profit organizations submit a proposal to receive funding, three names are drawn from a hat and then the women review the proposals of those three organizations. Each women then writes a check for 50 dollars.
“We are at that point now where we’ve pretty much spent that money,” Collinsworth said. “We do have some donors who have a soft spot for this program and they make contributions to that as well. But we will be looking to go back out for funding.”
Last year the Humane Society housed and cared for nine dogs, 21 cats and one rabbit as part of the Animal Safety Net.
Along with the Animal Safety Net, the Monadnock Humane Society provides a pet food pantry. This pantry provides food at no cost for the pets of families that are having financial difficulty. Individuals and businesses, like C&S Grocers and UNFI, bring donations to stock the pantry.
One person who used the pantry in a time of need was a 15 year old girl battling cancer. Her mother was already working three jobs to pay for her treatments, so pet food was an expense that was not always attainable. The girl’s dog, who she had had since she was seven years old, was helping in her healing process. The food pantry allowed the family to still care for their beloved dog and not give her away.
“We’re very compassionate here. We don’t judge whether or not people have the money to care for their pet,” Collinsworth said. “Often we see people who are just going through some sort of transition in their life and just need a leg up to get them to the other side.”
While the Humane Society does not request to see any state paperwork or pay stubs, they do ask that people only remain on the program for two months. Last year the food pantry was able to serve 131 people.
Those with any questions regarding either of the programs provided by the Monadnock Humane Society, or who would like to donate or volunteer, can reach them at (603) 352-9011, leave a message on their website or visit them at 101 W. Swanzey Road in Swanzey.