Seniors receive services for their pets Meals on Wheels Montgomery County

CONROE, TX -- Seniors served by Meals on Wheels Montgomery County (MOWMC) were able to have their beloved dogs and cats spayed, neutered, vaccinated, and evaluated for heartworms at no charge Saturday, Nov.27 at the Meals on Wheels office at 111 S. Second Street in Conroe.

Tara Tennant of the Lone Star Animal Welfare League contacted Community Programs Manager, Rhonda Darby, offering to spay and neuter the pets of seniors served by MOWMC. Funding for the service was by Laurel’s House, a nonprofit organization providing no cost veterinary services in the Greater Houston area.

Rhonda was thrilled to offer this program to their homebound seniors. “Our seniors are devoted to their pet companions. Often this is their only companion during the day. Community partnerships like this demonstrate our ‘More than a Meal’ campaign,”

On Saturday, a mix of twenty-five cats and dogs participated to receive services including spaying, neutering, microchipping, vaccinations, and heartworm testing. A few seniors brought their pets, although most of the animals treated were transported to the site by volunteers.

Dewey and Delilah were two pets transported to receive spaying and neutering services from a senior’s home. Delilah is a young dog who desperately needed to be spayed after delivering four litters of puppies. The senior was thankful to MOW to assist Delilah. “I did not have the money to spay her. I did not realize I could also neuter Dewey.”

Elderly and disabled clients served by MOWMC depend on their pets for daily affection and friendship. It also gives them a purpose to get up each day. Seniors have stated that they would give up their food or medication to care for their beloved pet. By caring for the pets MOW is caring for the seniors, preserving the bond, and enhancing life for vulnerable adults.

Beginning in January 2022, MOWMC will be adding veterinary services to their programs offered to Homebound Seniors through the LEAP program. The LEAP program from Austin, (Leading Economic Assistance for Pets) is a partnership between Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation and local nonprofit organizations to provide a service to underserved pets and their economically disadvantaged caregivers to enhance the quality of life for both the pet and their family member. Each pet will receive an annual exam, heartworm and flea preventive for a year, necessary vaccines, and other services as needed at no cost to the pet owner.

When it is time for their exam, a transport volunteer picks the pet up from the client’s home and takes it to the veterinarian. The veterinarian examines the pet and orders any necessary diagnostics. The volunteer returns the animal to the client’s home, along with their preventatives and any other instructions from the veterinarians.

Each $125 dollars donated feeds a senior for an entire month. MOWMC can deliver meals to a homebound senior for an entire year lower than the cost of one day in a hospital or ten days in a nursing home. Donate online at https://www.mowmc.org/donate.

Volunteers are always needed to help with delivering meals, events, prepare mailings, and assist with program needs. Start a food drive, decorate breakfast bags, create personalized birthday cards, or host an office workday at the Meals on Wheels office. Email Carrie Watkins at carrie@mowmc.org or view www.mowmc.org/volunteer/ for details.

Since 1973, MOWMC has had a successful history of delivering meals to local homebound seniors, delivering 31,000 meals monthly. Volunteers deliver meals along ninety routes throughout the 1,000 square miles of Montgomery County. Additionally, MOWMC’s curb-to-curb transportation service provides more than 17,000 rides to the disabled and seniors annually. With a mission to foster independence and maintain the dignity of each homebound senior by providing nutritious meals, transportation, and caring connections, MOWMC can always use additional volunteers and donations. More information about Meals on Wheels Montgomery County can be found at www.mowmc.org or on the Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/MealsonWheelsMC

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