Pet toys are on the table at the Days Inn in Colchester.
Editor's note: The Milton Independent is a sister newspaper to the Colchester Sun and Essex Reporter, both owned by O'Rourke Media Group. “The Bigger Picture” is a special Friday series that encourages reporters from nearby newspapers to share stories they've written that week on other sites, as neighboring towns share borders, representation, and business customers. is.
COLCHESTER — Due to the cost of living and other financial constraints, some owners are struggling to provide for their pets. Stephanie Gingras is here to help.
Gingras, the city of Colchester's animal control officer, is working with the Chittenden County Humane Society to spearhead a local pet food mobile shelf project.
“I've been in animal control for eight years,” Gingras said. “Someone told me that her dog had wandered loose, so I went back to check on her and looked at her and said, 'Do you have enough food to keep her going?'” Even though I get my salary first, I really don't have enough food.'' ”
In addition to high rental prices and unhealthy rental vacancy rates in Chittenden County, Vermont's rising homelessness rate and housing instability affect many people, including those who are employed. Times are tough for many Vermonters. Many of them have been in a position to properly care for their pets in the past few years.
“It's very expensive,” Gingras told The Sun. “The guy across the street from me is renting a one-bedroom for $1,900 a month. That's more than the mortgage on his three-bedroom house.”
Despite Colchester having higher rates of home ownership and more affordable housing than other parts of the county, housing problems are evident throughout the city. Colchester has a higher proportion of low-income residents than other towns in Chittenden County.
Caring for themselves and their beloved pets is difficult for people experiencing homelessness, but it is also difficult for many people who are incarcerated, and there is a stigma attached to that struggle.
“Inflation has increased everything,” Gingras said. “Dog food, human food, everything is going up in price. I mean, 'Are you going to feed your kids or are you going to feed your dog?' It's “feeding the children.” And the amount of dog food has decreased. ”
“Some have done great,” she added. “This could be a six-year-old dog that they've had for six years. They've fallen on hard times, need to get back on their feet, and just need help right now.” The benefits are huge for their mental health. These people take great care of their pets.”
Gingras said the situations pets find themselves in are not their fault, and incredibly often, not necessarily their fault. Still, in his job, Gingras has had to help people come to terms with surrendering their animals during difficult times.
“It's heartbreaking for me to see them, but it's twice as heartbreaking to see them give up their pets,” she said. “I just want to help them get animals and get over that hurdle. But the most important thing is that we're all struggling right now, and now is the time to come together. I think it's a great time to give help and raise your hand. Raise your hand, not hand it out.”
The Motel Voucher housing assistance program has been significantly reduced since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and will be phased out, but in the meantime Vermonters still need hotels and motels to stay. has been done.
Each week, Gingras hosts a mobile pet food shelf at two locations in Colchester: the Motel Six and the Days Inn.
“I was talking to someone who lives at the Days Inn and he said it's a 45-minute bus ride to Walmart,” Gingras said. “I mean, it's a long journey and it's difficult, depending on whether they're trying to find work or not. And if they're homeless on the street, where do you leave your dog to get on the bus?” So, what are you planning to do?”
Installing pet food shelves and making them mobile is an important step, as there is a need in multiple areas of town and transportation is the biggest challenge for the most vulnerable and disenfranchised people. It seemed like the most logical and accessible way to help our neighbors.
While many food shelves carry pet supplies, Gingras points out that those items may be limited and some people may not have access to them on the days existing area food shelves are open. Did.
Gingras went to Motel Six for the first time in December, took some time to herself during the holidays, and then returned to Motel Six earlier this month. She went to Days Inn for the first time last weekend to drop her off and pick her up.
Moving forward, mobile pet food shelves will be installed at Motel Six on the second Saturday of each month from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, and at Days Inn locations on the fourth Saturday of each month from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
These scheduled appearances serve to connect attendees with the resources they need, whether they reside in the hotel or are traveling from elsewhere to pick up materials. Donors can drop off during this time if they wish.
“I'm not asking questions,” Gingras said. “I'm just there to answer their questions.”
“This is more than just a grocery shelf, it’s an education,” she added. “And the two go hand in hand.”
While she is stationed at pop-up locations offering physical resources, she also talks to people about programs offered by the Humane Society, such as pet clinics and the Vermont Spay/Neuter Incentive Program, and fills out applications for them. I print it out and bring it with me.
Donations can be dropped off at any time in the donation drop box located just inside the Colchester Police Station building entrance. Donation drop boxes are clearly marked in the alcove between the door and shipping window.
Gingras said she is also happy to accept donations from individuals within the Colchester, Burlington and South Burlington areas who have items they would like to give but can't make it to the drop box.
Acceptable items include litter boxes, scoopers, food dishes, collars, leashes, and toys. Gingras has recently identified the highest demand for cat supplies, especially cat litter, cat collars, and wet food. There was also a request for a pee pad.
She also works with several dogs who are allergic to chicken and beef and therefore require alternative pet foods that are not typically sourced from donors.
Used towels and blankets are generally not accepted. We also do not accept used Nylabone or used squeaky toys with holes or severe bite marks. However, if you have reasonable doubts about the condition or potential future use of a used pet item, simply take it to a drop box so we can sort through what you have and decide what can be transferred. said Gingras.
For used collars, leashes, and harnesses, Gingras can hand wash them at home before returning them home. She can also clean her used toilets, but requests that they be donated in generally sanitary conditions.
She hopes to expand services to more locations in the region, including Burlington, and collect more donations to redistribute resources to those in need.
While operating the shelf, she also places sandwich boards in front of motels and on highways so that passersby who have access to resources can easily find out that the shelf is being held and stop by. We are also considering the possibility of doing so.
Currently, updates to the mobile pet food shelf can be found through the Humane Society and posted on the Colchester VT Community Friends Facebook group page, but Gingras is also considering making the shelf its own Facebook page at some point in the future. doing.
If you have any questions about what you will need over time or are interested in dropping off and picking up pet supplies for which you don't have adequate transportation, please contact Gingras at 802-825-0551. Contact Please.
Currently, Gingras is the only person operating a pop-up food shelf. To grow the program, we need people interested in becoming volunteers to help us increase the bandwidth to work tables as locations are added. If you are interested in her, please give her a call.
She is also looking for a location to host a mobile pet food shelf in Burlington and would welcome any assistance with offers or leads regarding this issue.
Gingras hopes to continue running the mobile pet food shelves for as long as there is a need.
“And there’s always a need,” she said.
