Our Press Releases

d.b.a. Peak Pet Pantry

See our press releases and media notices below, listed with the most recent one first:

PRESS RELEASE #009 dated 11/17/09

As unemployment and foreclosures continue to rise, more people are finding it difficult to support their families. Many are forced to decide whether to pay rent, or buy food for the family pet. Sadly, but understandably, the pets lose out. The Pikes Peak Pet Pantry in Colorado Springs, Colorado is teaming up with the Northland Pet Pantry in Smithville, Missouri, Central Florida Animal Pantry in Orlando, Florida and People Care Pet Pantry in Ravenna, Ohio to hold the first ever Pet Pantry Partners’ “Furr-ever Home” National Pet Food Drive, starting November 21st through January 1st. All of the organizations involved hope to gather 5,000 or more pounds of dog and cat food each or at least 20,000 pounds total, as well as food for other pets, to help local families keep their pets. The pantries also hope to bring national awareness to the importance of pet food assistance in order to nourish the human-pet bond.

Please feel free to call (719) 217-9528 or visit http://pikespeakpetpantry.org to find out how one may help in the Colorado Springs, Colorado area, call (816) 272-8508 or go to http://northlandpetpantry.com for those wishing to donate in the Kansas City/Smithville, Missouri area, call (321) 252-CFAP(2327) or see http://animalpantry.org for those wanting to make a donation in the Orlando, Florida area, and call (330) 389-5116 or visit http://peoplecarepetpantry.com for those in the Ravenna, Ohio area. For those who do not have a pet pantry in their area, each organization welcomes inquiries on how to start a pet food assistance program in other areas.

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About Pet Pantry Partners

Pet Pantry Partners is a collaborative effort between the Pikes Peak Pet Pantry, Northland Pet Pantry, Central Florida Animal Pantry, and People Care Pet Pantry. The economy is affecting both people and pets nationwide. More people are finding themselves having to make the difficult decision of getting rid of their pet due to financial reasons. Pet Pantry Partners hopes to address this problem, bring awareness to it, and show there is a solution by offering pet food assistance in their cities and partnering together with simultaneous pet food drives twice a year.

CAT FOOD AND LITTER ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE AT THE PIKES PEAK PET PANTRY’S ‘ASPCA CAT ASSISTANCE’ EVENT

ifpetscouldtype.com announces two new pet food pantries join their Feed-a-Pet program to help get pet food to needy families

August 21, 2009 – ifpetscouldtype.com, an online community devoted to promoting the health and happiness of all pets, today announced two new pet food pantries are joining in the Feed-a-Pet Program, designed to help restock the shelves of pet food pantries and pet food banks around the country, and to help deliver emergency pet food aid to dogs, cats, birds, guinea pigs, and other pets in need.

In this second phase of the program, ifpetscouldtype.com will donate $1.00 for each of 1000 new ifpetscouldtype.com user registrations, to be split equally between the Frederick County Humane Society in Frederick, Maryland and the Pikes Peak Pet Pantry in Colorado Springs, Colorado. These two organizations join with the Lucky Paws Foundation in Tracy California, the first non-profit recipient of the program, in receiving needed funds to help restock their pet food pantries.

To support the Feed-a-Pet Program, pet lovers can visit the ifpetscouldtype.com website, complete a profile and add a picture of their favorite pet. Their participation will help these organizations provide emergency pet food aid to resource strapped pet loving families during these tough economic times.

“With the success of the first phase of the program, to help the Lucky Paws Foundation restock their pet food pantry, we were struck by the continuous and real needs of pet loving families in this distressed economy,” indicated Randy Gordon, Founder of ifpetscouldtype.com. “With the addition of these two organizations and their hard working and dedicated staff and volunteers, we hope to help reach even more families in other parts of the country, with the emergency pet food aid they need to keep their precious pets at home.”

“In this tight economy, the demand for food from our pet pantry has been overwhelming,” indicated Brigitte Farrell, executive director at the Frederick County Humane Society, Inc., in Frederick, Maryland. “We are happy that ifpetscouldtype.com is initiating this program to help the families in our community who are having trouble making ends meet and feeding their pets.”

“Pets provide comfort during tough times, so it’s as important as ever to help people keep their pets,” adds Darlene McCaslin, president of Pikes Peak Pet Pantry in Colorado Springs, Colorado. “With the help of ifpetscouldtype.com, we can continue to come to the aid of pet owners, so they are able to keep their beloved pets, instead of finding them new homes or abandoning them.”

This is the second phase in the Feed-a-Pet Program by ifpetscouldtype.com, says Gordon. “We want to help and partner with as many pet food pantries and animal assistance organizations as we can and will be announcing additional assistance efforts in the coming weeks.”

About the Frederick County Humane Society

The Frederick County Humane Society, founded in 1910, anticipates and meets the needs of responsible companion animal owners in Frederick County by providing affordable services, resources and programs to keep their pets healthy, happy and in life-long homes. We are an advocate for animal welfare in the community. For more information about the Frederick County Humane Society, please call 301.694.8300, or visit fchs.org.

About Pikes Peak Pet Pantry

Launched in 2008, ifpetscouldtype.com promotes the health and happiness of all our pets by fostering an online community devoted to their needs. Built on the premise that ‘the more we share about our pets, the more we learn about our pets and ourselves,’ the ifpetscouldtype.com team (all fanatic pet owners in their own right) features the finest pet resources, articles, profiles and news in one pet parent focused online destination. For more information, visit ifpetscouldtype.com.

PRESS RELEASE #008 dated 6/28/09

Starting July 1st through August 15th, five local businesses will be holding a Pet Food Drive for the Pikes Peak Pet Pantry, a local nonprofit that helps financially challenged pet owners feed their pets and keep them home.

Healthy Pets Animal Hospital, located at 5195 Fontaine Blvd, Suite 4 in Fountain, Saint Francis Animal Hospital, located at 8834 N Union Blvd, Western Hills Apartments, located at 810 Western Dr, KR Pet-N-Feed Supply, located at 1414 South 21st St, and SecurCare Self Storage, located at 4729 Astrozon Blvd will be collecting pet food donations on our behalf.

This special program is helping many families cope with enormously difficult times. Since January 2008 we have helped feed over 4,400 pets and given out 30,024 pounds of pet food. In the past three months we have given out over 10,000 pounds and the numbers appear to be increasing weekly. During an emotionally traumatic time of foreclosures and layoffs, it’s crucial to people’s well being to be able to keep their pets even when they need help feeding them. Our drive seeks to support families with pets during such times. We are now able to pick up large quantities of pet food thanks to our Pet Assistance on Wheels, or PAWS unit.

Our goal is to gather at least 5,000 pounds of dog and cat food and 200 pounds of food for unconventional pets such as but not limited to ferrets, rabbits, and chinchillas. We also accept clean toys, collars, crates, beds, and other pet items to recycle back into the community. If you are interested in helping the Pikes Peak Pet Pantry or would like more information, please contact us at (719) 217-9528 or see our web site pikespeakpetpantry.org.

PRESS RELEASE #007 dated 4/11/09

The Pikes Peak Pet Pantry, Colorado Springs’ first pet food bank, has given out over ten tons, or 20,523 pounds of pet food to struggling pet owners from September 2007 to April 2, 2009. It took fourteen months to give out our first 10,000 pounds of pet food and less than five additional months to give out our second 10,000 pounds.

Pet food assistance has dramatically increased both locally and nationally due to rising grocery prices and unemployment rates. More people are being forced to decide whether to feed themselves or their pets. Pet owners have been known to feed their pets food from their own plate just so the animal wouldn’t go hungry. We try to make sure that everyone gets the nutrition they need by supplying pet food for pets, so human food goes to people.

This special program is helping many families cope with enormously difficult times. A person's inability to feed their pet could be due to losing their job or sustaining a work-related injury, with the situation sometimes being temporary. By offering pet food assistance we hope to keep families together and lessen the number of pets relinquished to local animal shelters and rescue groups, or being abandoned on the streets.

We are in search of a vehicle such as a truck or van so we may have a mobile unit to reach more pet owners in need. We are also in the process of increasing the number of days we give out food. If you would like more information about the Pikes Peak Pet Pantry, please feel free to contact us at (719) 217-9528 or view our web site pikespeakpetpantry.org.

PRESS RELEASE #006 dated 11/18/08

Starting November 19th through January 1st, four local businesses will be holding a Pet Food Drive for the Pikes Peak Pet Pantry, in an effort to help financially challenged pet owners feed their pets and keep them home.

Healthy Pets Animal Hospital, located at 5195 Fontaine Blvd, Suite 4 in Fountain, Saint Francis Animal Hospital, located at 8834 N Union Blvd, Western Hills Apartments, located at 810 Western Dr, and SecurCare Self Storage, located at 4729 Astrozon Blvd will be collecting dog and cat food donations on our behalf.

This special program is helping many families cope with enormously difficult times. Ensuring that our community's companion animals never go hungry is one of the most basic, and most critical, aspects of animal welfare. A person's inability to feed their pet could be due to unexpected bills or expenses, with the situation being temporary. By offering pet food assistance we hope to lessen the burden of homeless pets on local animal shelters and rescue groups. We hope families and individuals are rest assured they're able to keep their beloved pet during their hardship.

Our goal is to gather at least 2,000 pounds of dog and cat food. If you are interested in helping the Pikes Peak Pet Pantry or would like more information, please see our website at pikespeakpetpantry.org or contact us at (719) 217-9528.

PRESS RELEASE #005 dated 11/18/08

The Pikes Peak Pet Pantry, located in Colorado Springs, has given out over five tons of pet food to financially challenged pet owners. The concept of the Pantry began in September 2007, when our founder thought of a way to help distressed pet owners keep their animals at home during tough times. As of November 18, 2008, we have distributed 10,229 pounds of dog and cat food to families needing temporary assistance feeding their pets. It took us nearly ten months to distribute our first 5,000 pounds of food and only four months to give out another 5,000 pounds.

We give out food a total of one hour a week due to a generous business allowing the Pantry to distribute from their parking lot. We don’t want to take away from the sponsoring business so we limit the amount of time spent on the business’s premises. Since July 10, 2008, which averages to 18 business hours, we have handed out over two and a half tons, or 5,000 pounds, of pet food. The demand for pet food assistance has increased dramatically. While donations have slowed, we find ourselves having to apportion larger bags to make sure no one leaves empty handed.

We are still waiting on the status of our 501(c)(3) paperwork, but are hopeful for a response before the end of the year. With winter setting in, it is essential our donations come in more regularly and reliably so we may fulfill our mission of helping people feed their pets. If you are interested in helping the Pikes Peak Pet Pantry or would like more information, please see our website at pikespeakpetpantry.org or contact us at (719) 217-9528.

PRESS RELEASE #004 dated 11/09/08

The Pikes Peak Pet Pantry, located in Colorado Springs, has reached another milestone. As of November 6, 2008, we have assisted the owners of 1,317 cats and dogs, to keep the pets from going hungry. We have been in existence one year as of September 17, 2008. However we didn’t keep track of the number of people or pets we were helping until January 22, 2008, so the actual number is in excess of one thousand three hundred pets. We have helped pet owners from the Colorado Springs area, as well as from Woodland Park, Peyton, Calhan, and as far as Pueblo and Elbert County.

Our mission is to provide temporary food assistance for pets, to help pet owners keep their beloved animals home through tough times. Due to declining donations we have had to apportion what we distribute rather than turn people away empty handed. We are still waiting for a response from the IRS in regards to our 501c3 paperwork and are hopeful it will come in before the end of the year. The majority of pet owners we help have recently become financially challenged and required only temporary, one-time assistance. We pay for no direct advertising, so people find out about us by word-of-mouth or going to a few local food banks.

Financial or pet food donations are essential for us to continue to carry out our mission. We are one of a relatively small number of pet food assistance programs throughout the US and have seen the effects of the importance of our mission on the local community. If you are interested in helping the Pikes Peak Pet Pantry or would like more information, please see the Pikes Peak Pet Pantry’s website at pikespeakpetpantry.org or contact our President, Darlene McCaslin.

PRESS RELEASE #003 dated 7/10/08

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PANTRY DISTRIBUTES TWO AND A HALF TONS TO COMMUNITY

The Pikes Peak Pet Pantry, located in Colorado Springs, has reached another milestone. As of July 10, 2008, we have given out 5,166 total pounds of pet food, over two and a half tons, to needy pet owners in the Colorado Springs area. 4,779 pounds has been given out since January 2008. We are also negotiating possible relationships with other charitable entities in town.

Our mission is to provide temporary food assistance for pets and we are in the process of expanding our services. Our purpose is to help pet owners keep their beloved pets, as pets are usually viewed as part of the family and often offer emotional support, which is essential to a person's well being.

If you are interested in helping the Pikes Peak Pet Pantry or would like more information, please see the Pikes Peak Pet Pantry's website at www.pikespeakpetpantry.org or contact our President below.

CONTACT: Darlene McCaslin
President of the Pikes Peak Pet Pantry
Tel. 719-217-9528
Email: staff1@pikespeakpetpantry.org

PRESS RELEASE #002 dated 6/17/08

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PANTRY DOUBLES DISTRIBUTION, HELPS FOUR STATES START OWN

The Pikes Peak Pet Pantry, located in Colorado Springs, has reached another milestone. As of June 17, 2008, we have more than doubled our distribution in a matter of three months. We distributed 2,097 pounds of pet food from September 17, 2007 to March 20, 2008. An additional 2,464 pounds was given out from March 25, 2008 to June 17, 2008, totaling 4,561 pounds of pet food since we began. Individuals in four states have also contacted us; in Texas, California, Missouri, and North Carolina; seeking advise to start their own pet food assistance program in their area.

Our mission is to provide temporary food assistance for pets and we have had increased inquires for help. Our purpose is to help pet owners keep their beloved pets, as pets are usually viewed as part of the family and often offer emotional support, which is essential to a person's well being.

The Pikes Peak Pet Pantry has to ration some types of pet food, especially dry cat food, as the increasing demand for pet food assistance is starting to outpace donations. If you are interested in helping the Pikes Peak Pet Pantry or would like more information, please see the Pikes Peak Pet Pantry's website at www.pikespeakpetpantry.org or contact our President below.

CONTACT: Darlene McCaslin
President of the Pikes Peak Pet Pantry
Tel. 719-217-9528
Email: staff1@pikespeakpetpantry.org

PRESS RELEASE #001 dated 3/20/08

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PET PANTRY DISTRIBUTES ONE TON OF PET FOOD TO COMMUNITY

The Pikes Peak Pet Pantry, located in Colorado Springs, has reached its first milestone. We started the concept of the Pantry in September 2007, when our founder asked an online community for some dog food to help a person feed their dog. As of March 20, 2008, six months later, the Pikes Peak Pet Pantry has distributed 2,097 pounds of dog and cat food to families needing temporary assistance feeding their pets. We have distributed 387 pounds of cat and dog food from September 2007 to December 2007 and 1,710 pounds since January 1, 2008.

We attribute increased donations and dispersals to increased awareness of our services by having several local food banks voluntarily post our advertising on their premises. Our mission is to provide temporary food assistance for pets. Our purpose is to help pet owners keep their beloved pets, as pets are usually viewed as part of the family and often offer emotional support, which is essential to a person's well being.

The Pikes Peak Pet Pantry plans to expand its advertising efforts to increase services to the community. If you are interested in helping the Pikes Peak Pet Pantry or would like more information, see the Pikes Peak Pet Pantry's website at "www.pikespeakpetpantry.org".

CONTACT: Darlene McCaslin
President of the Pikes Peak Pet Pantry
Tel. 719-217-9528
Email: staff1@pikespeakpetpantry.org