Give Thanks For Pets
A Season Of Thanks
As Thanksgiving approaches, we often find ourselves reflecting on who and what we were most thankful for throughout the year. As any animal lover knows, this list would not be complete if it didn’t include our beloved pets. For older adults with pets within our community, this rings especially true. A study conducted by The Arizona Pet Project and AllThrive 365 found that pets provide more than just companionship to their owners but also serve as a reason to get up and dressed in the morning (see below).
- 84% stated that their pets bring them companionship
- Almost half of respondents stated that their pet keeps them both active and busy
An Unfortunate Reality
Like most things, caring for our pets can become increasingly difficult as we age-a plight Arizona seniors are all too familiar with. Of the 85 respondents surveyed many reported experiencing financial challenges in caring for their pets. Too often this results in seniors having to relinquish ownership of their pets, despite the positive impact that these animals have on their daily lives. 33% stated that they suffer from some form of financial hardship in caring for their pets.
Filling The Gap: The Pet Program
At Aster we seek to serve our participants in every aspect of life. Whether it be a hot meal, a ride, or simply a compassionate ear we strive to provide it to the best of our abilities. Additionally, we understand that sometimes the best way to serve our participants is by supporting those that they hold near and dear. This is why we created the Pet Program, a donation-based service which aims to reduce the financial stress that clients may encounter when it comes to providing food and litter for their furry friends.
How YOU Can Help:
Aster’s Pet Program is 100% donation based. It is entirely by the generosity of people like you (yes you!) that we are able to alleviate some of the financial burden of pet guardianship for our seniors. We offer many different ways to get involved with the Pet Program:
- A direct monetary donation to the Pet Program that may be tax deductible
- Place an order for pet food from our Amazon Wishlist by clicking this link:
https://www.asteraz.org/services/pets.html
- Host your very own Pet Food Drive at your local school, church, or place of business
We invite you to become a member of our amazing community of donors this holiday season and to play a pivotal role in ensuring that our Arizona seniors can continue to be thankful for their furry friends for many Thanksgivings to come!
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