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A new program will help ensure the health and happiness of the furry friends of Ottawa County's homebound seniors. Thanks to a new partnership with Ottawa County Senior Resources and a grant obtained from the Banfield Charitable Trust and in conjunction with the Meals on Wheels Association of America (MOWAA), Humane Society volunteers will soon be riding along with Ottawa County Senior Resources staff to deliver meals to the dogs and cats of homebound seniors. The seniors themselves will be receiving fresh meals prepared and delivered by Ottawa County Senior Resources and their pets get nutritious pet food too.
“This is truly an exciting program,” said Lisa Ramirez, president of the HSOC, upon receiving news of the grant. “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to assist Ottawa County Senior Resources in helping the senior citizens of Ottawa County provide nutritious food for their pets.”
The date for the kick off of the program has not yet been announced. When it gets underway, volunteers from the Humane Society will ride along with Home Delivered Meal drivers to the homes of senior citizens who are unable to leave their residences. “This is a very practical idea,” Humane Society board member Chris Marcinko said. “In these tough economic times, many folks in the community are unable to afford quality food for their pets. This can lead to animals being left at the humane society’s shelter, which is already at capacity. "We hope that by bringing free pet food to the homes of folks who need it, more pets can remain happily with their owners where they belong,” Marcinko said. “It’s a win-win situation.” In addition to the foods being obtained through the MOWAA grant, the two organizations plan to initiate a pet food drive to ensure that enough pet food can be stockpiled to create a lasting program for the furry friends of Ottawa County’s seniors. “Donations are always welcome” Ramirez said, adding that those wishing to help are welcome to bring cat or dog food for usage in the program to the Humane Society’s shelter, located at 2424 East Sand Rd., Port Clinton. The Humane Society of Ottawa County is a 501c(3) no-kill animal shelter that was established in 1976. The organization endeavors to help as many animals as possible by correcting abuse and neglect, providing spaying/neutering services, providing medical care to those in need, and adopting abandoned, surrendered and abused animals to new loving homes. Ottawa County Home Delivered Meal Program is one of many programs that Ottawa County Senior Resources provides to the county’s senior citizens and their caregivers. The Home Delivered meal programs offers both hot and frozen meals to residents of Ottawa County who meet the following criteria:
• 60 years of age or older;
• homebound;
• unable to participate in the senior dining site program;
• unable to obtain food or prepare meals;
• no adult living in the same building or area, able and willing to prepare meals.
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