Dr. Pearce of Alvarado Veterinary Clinic examines one of the Meals-on-Wheels clients' pets.

Recently, the Alvarado Veterinary Clinic offered its services to the Meals-on-Wheels "Ani-Meals" program. This is a new addition to the program to help needy, homebound people better care for their pets. The Clinic provided free routine exams and vaccinations to clients’ pets at their homes. Seventeen clients benefitted from their services. 

"The Alvarado Vet Clinic has been very gracious in helping our clients maintain their pets' health," said Amy Jackson, Meals-on-Wheels director of development. "It is an added benefit to our 'Ani-Meals' program, and overall Meals-on-Wheels’ services," she added. 

The "Ani-Meals" program, which began February 2009, aims to help the needy homebound take care of their companion animals—primarily dogs and cats. Donated pet food is delivered by volunteers on the first Saturday of each month. "Overall, the program has been very successful," said Jackson. "We want to ensure that our clients are getting the proper nutrition through their daily meals, and not sharing those (meals) with their furry friends," she added.

In addition, the "Ani-Meals" program is being funded in part by the Banfield Charitable Trust through "We All Love Our Pets" (WALOP) grant. Meals-on-Wheels has been a recipient of two WALOP grants to date. "Helping the elderly care for their pets touches many people's hearts, and it is a wonderful program for everyone to get involved," said Dianne McGill, executive director and chief executive officer of the Banfield Charitable Trust. "When we first promoted such programs, we never imagined how quickly they would grow," she added. 

You may be involved with the "Ani-Meals" program by volunteering to deliver pet food once a month, or by making a donation of dog or cat food.  Currently, the "Ani-Meals" program is serving Cleburne and Burleson. Meals-on-Wheels is a community-based, non-profit organization serving the homebound elderly and disabled residents throughout Johnson and Ellis Counties for 33 years. If you are interested in Meals-on-Wheels services or would like to be more involved with the organization, contact Meals-on-Wheels at 817-558-2840 or email info@mowjec.org.

###

About the Banfield Charitable Trust

Banfield Charitable Trust, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity founded in 2003, was founded in response to Banfield associates' requests for a way to take Banfield's vision of treating Pets like family beyond the walls of the hospitals. In addition to providing preventive care to clients in need, the Charitable Trust also supports childhood education about caring for Pets, veterinary education program, and programs to enhance the family-Pet bond.