Group opens door for Topekans struggling with pet ownership
2:44 p.m. Thursday, August 28, 2008
One group wants to make sure animals have shelter during a difficult time.
PANT, which stands for Pet Assistance Network of Topeka, is a new group in Topeka offering help to anyone -- from natural disaster to domestic violence victims -- faced with parting with their pet.
How PANT works
- A client arrives with a pet at a partner agency. The client signs an agreement and receives a PANT voucher good for sheltering the pet at a pre-determined kennel or vet for a specific number of days. Other services, like spaying, neutering and medical care, are also provided as needed.
- The provider determines the pet's suitability for boarding. If the pet is accepted, it receives the services on the voucher, billed at a rate that PANT has pre-negotiated.
- The shelter pays the provider's bill using PANT funds. PANT funds come from donors.
- The client reclaims his or her pet when circumstances improve.
Do you need help?
Call the Topeka Rescue Mission at (785) 354-1744 or the YWCA Battered Women Task Force at 1-888-822-2983.
The organization takes care of pets of people who suddenly find themselves homeless until they can get back on their feet and permanently reclaim their pet.
Topeka Rescue Mission Executive Director Barry Feaker says oftentimes people will choose homelessness over giving up their beloved pet.
"There are many pets needing this kind of temporary shelter in Topeka each year. Without PANT they will likely be abandoned and/or euthanized," Feaker said. "Not only is this devastating to the animal's owner, who loses perhaps his or her only friend, but it adds a burden to the community, because then our Animal Control officers have to seize the pet, often after it's been badly neglected or abused."
PANT relies on the services of veterinary clinics, animal "day care" establishments and other licensed animal shelters.
PANT is completely funded by private donations. You can send a buck or more its way by mailing it to:
PANT
c/o Topeka Community Foundation
5431 SW 29th St.
Topeka, KS, 66614
Or you can log onto TopekaPANT.org. That's where you can also find out how to volunteer to help the pets.
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