NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative Sponsoring First NEPA Pet Food Pantry

The NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative, an initiative of the Scranton Area Community Foundation, is proud to sponsor the first-ever NEPA Pet Food Pantry, which will take place on Saturday, June 20, 2020, in Scranton.

The NEPA Pet Food Pantry distribution is hosted by the Scranton Animal Supply House with the goal of providing free pet food during these challenging times. Pet owners were able to apply for this opportunity on the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative website, nepaawc.org. The NEPA Pet Food Pantry received an overwhelming response and had to close the application for the June distribution, but a second distribution is planned for July to help manage the need.

The June distribution of the NEPA Pet Food Pantry is funded entirely by the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative, and was established in order to help people afford to care for their pets during the economic downturn related to COVID-19.  The Collaborative is comprised of over 40 individuals and organizations in the animal shelter, rescue, sanctuary, and welfare community who have come together to advance various causes in animal welfare and to increase the collective resources available to these agencies.

“The goal is to keep animals in their loving homes during a time of widespread financial distress,” said Katrina Sonnenberg, speaking on behalf of the Scranton Animal Shelter Association, which is a member of the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative. “We are ready to manage a second distribution in July to also help with this overwhelming need.”

Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation, stated, “The Scranton Area Community Foundation serves as the convener of the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative. There are many dedicated individuals, shelter and rescue groups who see a challenge or problem and are determined to work together to help solve it for the benefit of people and animals in our region.”The mission of the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative is to work on initiatives aimed at ensuring animals in Northeastern Pennsylvania can achieve a happy and healthy life, free from abuse and neglect.

To learn more about the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative or to become involved, please visit the Collaborative’s website, nepaawc.org, or follow the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative on Facebook.

For more information about the NEPA Pet Food Pantry, please contact Brittany Pagnotti, Scranton Area Community Foundation’s Communications Manager at 570-347-6203.

Donations to the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative are accepted online at safdn.org or by check made payable to the Scranton Area Foundation indicating “NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative Fund” in the memo mailed to the Scranton Area Community Foundation, 615 Jefferson Avenue, Suite 102, Scranton, PA 18510.