Though the Illinois Shelter in Place order has altered or temporarily suspended some of our operations, our community programming continues to provide vital support to families in the Metro East. We have implemented extra precautions, including the use of PPE when working in the community, practicing social distancing, and limiting interactions with residents.
We might be working from a distance, but we want families to know we are still here for them. Last week, we sent out a mailer to families that have signed up for our WAG Program. Our WAG Program is open to qualifying families within our service area and provides free and low-cost access to pet supplies and services, including our pet food pantry.
In the mailer, we shared a document that encourages families to start thinking of a plan for their pets should they become ill, with the goal of keeping them out of the shelter system. Friends, family and neighbors are the most ideal caretakers, keeping pets in the community they live so they are ready to reunite with their owners. We know this can be a tall ask, but we can supply the tools and advice families need to make this transition as easy (and safe) as possible. With a plan in place, families are more likely to maintain ownership of their pets should they fall ill and need temporary assistance.
We hope that families will establish an emergency plan to ensure their pets remain safe should they fall ill. If you are a family in the Metro East that needs supplies to provide care for a pet in an emergency, please contact our Community Hotline at (314) 399-9738.