Pets need help too

Dear editor,

About a month ago, the Idaho Statesman ran an article concerning problems with seniors in the Boise area. The Meals on Wheels organization noticed some of their clients were having problems feeding their pets.

I thought about our community here in Mountain Home and wondered if our elderly needed help taking care of their pets. Many of these individuals are alone and barely able to provide for themselves let alone their pets.

For many of these elderly men and women, a dog or a cat isn't simply an animal living in their house preoccupying their time but are loved as much as a family member, providing an intimate friendship nearly impossible for many elderly people to find. They're not simply "pets" or some object to distract them. They are life-long companions and there for members of our community who need this loyalty and love these pets provide.

I talked with the person in charge of Meals on Wheels in Mountain Home, and she had told me they do not have a donation for the seniors' pets. So after talking with people in town, Ruthada Powell, Danniele Rhatigan and Mayor Tom Rist, I was encouraged to let the community know and ask for help.

These businesses were kind enough to let me leave containers for donating pet food: Small Animal Medical Center on Sunset Strip, Knights Veterinarian Clinic on Elmcrest and the Video Store on Jackson Street. Any food contributions for this cause would be greatly appreciated by not only me but by many members of our community. Thank you.

-- Janet DeSantis