This Des Moines nonprofit helps struggling Iowans feed their pets. How you can help:

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Pet food is seen on Wednesday, Jan 9, 2025, at the Pet Project in Des Moines. The volunteer-run nonprofit helps residents in need feed their pets through their pet food pantry and food deliveries from Meals on Wheels. Cody Scanlan/The Register
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By F. Amanda Tugade, Des Moines Register

Des Moines, IA-Hidden in a strip mall on Des Moines’ west side is a nonprofit trying to meet the rising needs of metro pet owners faced with financial hardship and the tough decision to give up their furry friends.

The group of volunteers leading The Pet Project is asking for community support for its programs, including a pantry that provides dry dog and cat food and select supplies. Last year, its “small but mighty team” gave away more than 70,000 pounds of pet food — a surge from 2023’s 35,000-pound distribution, said Cayla Walsh, a board member who oversees the group’s communications, and Jamie Angove, a former board president.

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The organization distributing more than 1,000 pounds of pet food weekly is looking for donations of pet food and volunteers to dole it out at its pantry.

“We don’t want people to have to give up their pet because they can’t financially afford something for them and have to relinquish them to a shelter or rescue,” Walsh said of the organization’s goal.

Since COVID-19, The Pet Project has seen a spike in the number of people seeking its services, with dwindling federal relief programs introduced during the pandemic and state cuts to SNAP benefits, Walsh said.

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“We know that there are other organizations that are providing pet food, but (there’s) still a gap. It’s just like human food,” Walsh said. “There’s not enough of us doing it.”

Here’s what to know about The Pet Project:

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What else does The Pet Project do?

Apart from its pantry, The Pet Project at 4944 Franklin Ave. also:

  • Has a free online resource to help Iowans across the state find their lost pets. The Project launched the site Iowa Pet Alert in 2009 where Iowans can post photos of their missing cats and dogs online. Volunteers also “blast it out” on social media and share the news with other animal agencies, Walsh said.
  • Runs a program called Paws for Life for patrons needing long-term support for caring for their pets. Those on limited income and receiving disability or Social Security benefits may find themselves in a more “permanent” financial situation, Walsh said.
  • Distributes pet food to AniMeals, which offers a week’s worth of pet food to Meals on Wheels recipients. Volunteers pack food for WesleyLife, which manages the hot meal delivery service for older adults.
Pet food is seen on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2025, at The Pet Project in Des Moines. The volunteer-run nonprofit helps residents in need feed their pets through their pet food pantry and food deliveries from Meals on Wheels. Cody Scanlan/The Register

Attempt to reduce barriers leads to online app

Over the years, Walsh said she and other volunteers have tried to reduce barriers for patrons. An example of that effort is The Pet Project’s pantry application, which is available online. While the form asks for people to share their income, Walsh said they know anyone regardless of their financial status can experience financial hardship.

The pantry is open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is on a bus route. It also sits in the same strip mall as the Iowa Food Co-op and service providers Nisaa African Family Services and Monsoon Asians and Pacific Islanders in Solidarity.

How can I help?

Pet food is seen on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2025, at The Pet Project in Des Moines. The volunteer-run nonprofit helps residents in need feed their pets through their pet food pantry and food deliveries from Meals on Wheels. Cody Scanlan/The Register

The Pet Project largely relies on fundraising events and donations, with its biggest, “highest-grossing” event to return this spring at Mainframe Studios, Walsh said. That means there are many ways people can help the small organization that doesn’t involve lifting bags of pet food, she said.

Board vice president Maria Torres said she found a business’s recent pet food drive a “huge help” to the project that “help put a dent” in its efforts. If more businesses do something similar, they’ll also help spread awareness of the nonprofit’s mission, Torres said.

Walsh said she recently had someone ask about volunteer opportunities involving grant writing. Other volunteers review applications, help with data entry or plan events.

The Pet Project is seeking dry food for adult cats and dogs. Walsh said they prefer small bags because they are easier to lift, store, and measure. Monetary donations also are welcome, as they allow volunteers to purchase supplies for pets with medical or dietary needs. In the past, Walsh said they have used the money to buy food for patrons who have other kinds of pets such as hamsters or birds.

For more information about The Pet Project, visit www.thepetprojectmidwest.org.

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