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CHANGING LIVES ONE SNUGGLE AT A TIME

Winston has amazing superpowers (watch video!). He keeps Patsy, his 84-year-old owner, healthier, happier and more independent just by staying by her side.

Scroll to find out how this vital connection is changing lives.

WHY PETS?

Throughout the Meals on Wheels network, 58% of home-delivered meals clients live alone and, for many of them, their pet is their closest companion and one of their only sources of consistent comfort. Pets play a very important role in the life of a homebound older adult, providing social connection and enhancing their physical and mental health and well-being.

Caring for pets like Winston takes a physical and financial toll on elderly adults who live alone. Feeding, grooming and caring for them can be challenging with limited money and mobility.

In fact, 97% of clients receiving pet assistance say that Meals on Wheels has made it possible for them to keep their loving companion, according to our research with partner PetSmart Charities.

That’s why it’s so important that Meals on Wheels America supports local programs to help feed, groom and even provide veterinary care to the pets of seniors in need.

MEALS ON WHEELS DELIVERS CONNECTION

Keeping pets and their seniors together is just one of the ways Meals on Wheels is helping our aging neighbors feel less alone.

For example, in many communities across the country, clients get a bit of invaluable relief from their daily isolation and loneliness through regular meal deliveries, telephone check-ins and friendly visitor programs.

Donate to Meals on Wheels America and help support the local programs delivering a vital connection, nutrition and safety to America’s seniors.

GIVE NOW

Meals on Wheels America

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PARTNERSHIP WITH PETSMART CHARITIES

An innovative national partnership between Meals on Wheels America and PetSmart Charities has helped more than 25,000 Meals on Wheels clients remain at home and together with their beloved companions.

Since 2019, PetSmart Charities’ support has powered grantmaking that helps local programs provide home-delivered meals and veterinary care to pets of homebound seniors.

As another component of the partnership, the two organizations completed a joint research project to better understand the needs of homebound seniors with pets and the barriers they face in keeping pets healthy in their homes.

Explore the Full Report

Robert and dog

8 Heartwarming Pet Stories That Prove They Are Life’s Greatest Companions

There's no doubt that animal and human relationships go hand in hand...or is it hand in paw? Whether you're human or animal, these bonds have a special sort of transformational power. Here are just a few real-life stories from Meals on Wheels clients and BuzzFeed contributors that prove the connection between a pet and their human will always be the purest form of love.

Read BuzzFeed Story

Frank and Blade

BELOW THE GEORGIA PINES: THE STORY OF FRANK + BLADE

Few bonds are as strong as those between a loving pet and its doting owner. Frank has been granted the gift of sharing the last 12 or so years of his life with his favorite furry companion, Blade, a boxer mix.

“That little fella’, I put him down on the floor, and he followed me everywhere like he does now,” said Frank.

Read Frank’s Story

Joan and cat

TRY NOT TO LOVE SNOWBALL THE CAT AND HER HUMAN, JOAN

Joan and Snowball have built a safe and loving world around each other, living more than 10 years in the same home together.

“I really appreciate Meals on Wheels bringing food and litter by for Snowball. She even had wet food the other day and she doesn’t get it much, but she really liked it.”

Read Joan’s Story

Meals on Wheels America

CHANGING LIVES ONE SNUGGLE AT A TIME

Donate to Meals on Wheels America and help support the local programs delivering a vital connection, nutrition and safety to America’s seniors.

GIVE NOW