John DeCando, Paterson’s chief animal control officer, is coordinating an annual drive to provide 500 wrapped gift boxes filled with dog and cat food, treats, and toys to needy families in Paterson, New Jersey. Given that about 66% of U.S. households own pets, according to recent American Pet Products Association data, with many families struggling to afford veterinary care and basic pet supplies, his efforts are critical in addressing this need.

DeCando has been packing and wrapping boxes since Nov. 13 in an office stacked floor to ceiling with supplies, a hands-on effort aimed at helping pet owners who are struggling to afford care. Each box contains a 6-pound bag of dog or cat food, cans of wet food, tennis balls, and small toys, making them vital resources for families facing economic challenges.

Donations have come from a mix of corporate and local donors, including Hartz Mountain Industries, Vitaquest, St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, J-B Pet Supply, and Mike’s Feed Farm. DeCando said he assembles the packages himself, ensuring they are well-stocked for families in need.

“I stuff each and every box myself, and believe me, I make sure they are stuffed,” DeCando, chief animal control officer, said. In addition to these gift boxes, local animal shelters and humane societies often operate pet food pantries to support families who reach out for help.

Packing moved quickly after donations arrived, with volunteers and staff preparing hundreds of boxes intended for distribution to families who turn to the shelter for help. People queue to receive the gift boxes, and DeCando said the scene makes the work worthwhile.

“It’s a good feeling. All you have to do is look at people’s faces and you know they are grateful for what is inside these boxes,” he said. For many low-income families, the cost of veterinary care remains a significant barrier, adding to the stress of providing for their pets.

DeCando has described the program as a response to people who struggle to make ends meet and sometimes bring animals to the shelter because they cannot afford to keep them. “Some of these people have nothing. They come down to turn in their animals because they can’t afford to keep and feed them. But we have people who can help them,” he said. This initiative highlights how crucial it is for communities to mobilize support for pet owners so they can keep their beloved animals.

The drive is run out of Paterson’s animal control operation and relies on donated food, treats, and toys that are packaged and handed out in the weeks after packing began. The office’s stacked inventory — wrapped boxes and visible supplies — reflects the scale of the effort.

DeCando recalled challenging conditions in a previous year and the continued community need. “Last year, it was raining and people still got in line to get their gift boxes. We gave out 400 boxes,” he said, noting community demand can be high even in bad weather. With tens of millions of U.S. households owning pets, the growing demand for pet food is evident as more families seek help.

Beyond volunteers and in-kind donors, the initiative draws attention to how local agencies mobilize resources to keep pets with their owners. Coverage of the effort and a profile of DeCando are available on NJ.com.

DeCando spoke about his motivation plainly. “I have always loved animals. Just knowing how good it feels to do this is reward in itself,” he said. He added that he hopes other towns will adopt similar programs. “I’d like to see every town in New Jersey do this same project. I don’t care who gets the credit. It’s about the animals,” he said. By sharing resources and support, communities can help ensure that families have the help they need to keep their pets fed and cared for.

As packing continues, the stacks of wrapped boxes in DeCando’s office serve as a visible sign of a community effort to help pet owners keep their animals. People line up to receive the packages, and the donations from businesses and underpin the drive’s capacity to reach hundreds of households.

Source

Original reporting: view the original article.