By Courtney D. Clark
Wild and Wonderful Pet Pantry is asking for donations to help meet the needs of disadvantaged pet owners.
Pam Romansic, founder and director of the nonprofit organization in Beckley, says local pets could starve without donations of dog and cat food.
“It is a tragedy that pet owners cannot afford to feed their companions, forcing them to either abandon or surrender their pets to already overcrowded shelters,” Romansic said Friday.
She founded WWPP in March 2009 with help from friends and family.
One of its kind in southern West Virginia, the organization has already given more than 6,000 pounds of pet food, helping numerous families, local shelters and over 350 pets.
“The calls have increased dramatically due to nasty weather and a bad economy,” Romansic said.
“Local businesses are laying off and people are surrendering more and more animals. We want to at least give these pet owners some food so they don’t have to turn them in to animal shelters.”
The organization has been operating primarily out of Romansic’s home and her office at Chipley Chiropractic.
“We are renovating a building now but it’s not quite ready, so we have just been delivering the food to those who need it,” she continued.
“I never knew this was such a huge problem in our area, but there’s a lot of people struggling and I think it’s been going on for a while.”
With supplies rapidly depleting, WWPP is asking the public to donate pet food, litter, gift cards to stores where items can be purchased and any pet-related items such as leashes, collars, bowls and toys.
Romansic said the organization is in desperate need of dry and canned pet food. Cash and checks are also welcome, and she says volunteers will gladly pick up donations.
Donations can be dropped off at the following locations:
- Pets and Things, Robert C Byrd Drive.
- Paradise Pet Grooming, Robert C Byrd Drive.
- All Chipley Chiropractic locations in Princeton and Beckley.
For additional information, contact WWPP at 304-575-9787, petmatters@suddenlink.net or visit www.wildandwonderfulpetpantry.org.
