Chilliwack pet food society steps up for appreciative local senior who needed a little help
Chilliwack senior Colleen Frank with her cat, Ozzie. (Image Credit: Zoey's Pawsome Pet Society.)
CHILLIWACK – Moments like these remind Zoey’s Pawsome Pet Society executive director Jackie Smith exactly why they exist and the people they serve who could use a little help.
The Chilliwack pet food society is being lauded by Colleen Frank, a local senior, after volunteers unexpectedly dropped off a generous helping of pet food, kitty litter, cat toys and other goodies at her home last weekend, doing what they can to assist pensioners and others in need.
“To Zoey, Julie and everyone involved with your tremendous non profit that is 10 out of 5 gold stars for caring, sharing and generosity in helping a struggling Senior and her Ozzie Awesome that have had a very difficult time since 2022,” Colleen Frank wrote in her email to Zoey’s Pawsome Pet Society, the content of which was shared with Fraser Valley Today. “We thank you so much for delivering food, kitty litter and so much more on Sunday completely unexpected.”
The Chilliwack senior says her cat Ozzie seemed pretty thrilled with the generous donation, some of which consisted of 10 pounds of light weight cat litter, four pounds of cat litter, and 30 cans fancy feast cat food.
“Ozzie was so excited when he saw his bag of toys – the happiest I have seen him look in a long long time,” Frank said. “He only got a small bag of catnip for Christmas and he went crazy over his banana and the fish – thought I saw him smiling. And thank you for all the gifts you brought – you do not know how much it means to me to get toilet paper – a luxury these days and paper towels and soap, etc. Your work is amazing – so needed and we love you very much.”
Colleen Frank’s cat, Ozzie. (Image Credit: Zoey’s Pawsome Pet Society.)
Smith says the society’s Community Seniors Program is important to local seniors because it can directly get pet food and supplies into the lives of those who need it.
“We work with Chilliwack Community Services Senior Prescribing Program to help seniors who need a hand,” said Smith. “We are bridging the gap where seniors are choosing to feed their pets over themselves. We asked Colleen if there was anything thing else she needed. She asked for simple things like toilet paper, paper towels, dish soap, hand soap, a single cookie sheet and something to keep warm living in a garage-converted room. I messaged our family friend Kate Jenkins. What arrived next was insane. She got a heating blanket, cat toys, a cat bed, baking set, and toiletries; everything she asked for plus more. This is what Zoey’s is. It’s not just the in-between, we are a line of hope for our seniors.”
Zoey’s Pawsome Pet Society helps approximately 13 seniors on a full-time basis. Smith says seniors never have to worry about paying for their next can of food for their dog or cat, sometimes both.
“Whatever they need for pets is covered,” she said. “We get donations of pet food and supplies from Chilliwack to North Vancouver. We can also take monetary donations.”
Chilliwack residents who want to support Zoey’s Pawsome Pet Society can do so from the following links:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/donate-to-help-feed-community-pets