WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, June 23, 2020 — American Humane, the country’s first national humane organization, today announced that Seniors’ Pet Assistance Network (SPAN) received a grant from American Humane’s Feed the Hungry fund. Located in Dallas, Texas, SPAN secures the joyful, healthy relationships between low-income seniors and their companion animals.
“On behalf of the board of directors, the staff, the volunteers and our clients, I would like to thank American Humane for its generous donation to our program,” said Jacqueline West, Executive Director of SPAN. “At SPAN, our mission is to foster the joy of companionship and we do this by supporting our senior clients who are Dallas County seniors ages 67 or older, who live on a fixed income of $1,200 or less, and have companion animals. For many of our Dallas County seniors, their companion animals are the only companionship they will have for days and weeks on end, so it’s very important to support them. The support given by American Humane during the COVID-19 pandemic means a lot to us because we can make sure that our companion animals get fed and they have the care that they need.”
Research suggests that there are roughly 5,000 seniors at or below the poverty line in the Dallas County area who own pets. SPAN helps these pet owners by providing basic veterinary care and pet food that they could otherwise not afford. SPAN’s Aunt Louise’s Pet Pantry volunteers deliver thousands of pounds of pet food and buckets of kitty litter to clients, and veterinary assistance is provided for more than 60 animals annually. COVID-19 has created an even bigger need for assistance as seniors stuck in their homes struggle to keep their pets healthy and cared for.
To help shelters continue to save lives during this unprecedented crisis, consider donating today. Learn more at www.americanhumane.org/feedthehungry.
About American Humane
American Humane is the country’s first national humane organization. Founded in 1877, American Humane is committed to ensuring the safety, welfare, and well-being of animals, and our leadership programs are first to serve in promoting and nurturing the bonds between animals and people. For more information or to support our work, please visit www.americanhumane.org
