CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - A couple of P.E.I. women are making sure no pet food cupboards ever get down to the bare bones.
The P.E.I. group, CADO Food Assistance, is also looking for support to help them continue to reach their goal, with an online auction fundraiser running until 8 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 30.
The group, whose name is a portmanteau of cat and dog, provides food for low-income family pets as well as homeless cats and dogs throughout central and eastern P.E.I.
“Right now, donations are drying up, so we’re trying to have a couple auctions a year to raise money,” said Paula Connolly, who started the group.
Connolly said she had previously heard of some low-income Islanders who would ensure their pets would have food, even if it meant their own diet would suffer.
“That shouldn’t be happening. If we can help by reaching out to people with pet food, they can use the money to feed themselves,” said Connolly. “That’s one reason we got involved.”
“That shouldn’t be happening. If we can help by reaching out to people with pet food, they can use the money to feed themselves. That’s one reason we got involved.”
-Paula Connolly
Reid was at the Christmas Care Fair hosted by Gifts from the Heart at the P.E.I. Farm Centre Saturday, handing out bags of pet food while also making attendees aware of the online auction. The group has previously partnered with Gifts from the Heart and provides the group with pet food as needed.
“If someone is not well-to-do or homeless and all they have is a dog, it’s kind of like their best friend,” said Reid. “If we can help them out in any way, that’s what we’re going to do.”
Connolly said while the group does not have the funds to cover Prince County, she believes there is some similar assistance available in that area.
The online auction has 25 different donated items, including décor, books, clothes and more. To view the auction, go to the Facebook page CADO Food Assistance: Central and Eastern P.E.I. From there, click on the auction under the upcoming events section. All of the items are then listed in the event posts.
Reid noted that a previous auction saw more than $700 raised, which the group spent on pet food at different times through the year.
“As it ran out we’d go and get more… it lasted us for quite a while, but now we need more,” she said.
Those looking to donate to or contact the group can message the Facebook page or reach Connolly at 902-388-1999 or [email protected].
