I got a reply to my last long editorial on black cats, wondering what the reader could
do to help our furry friends: 80 million feral cats in this country and God knows how many
dogs. Well below is a possible, maybe temporary solution to help stray dogs and cats, and
even your own pet.
My friend Nathalie and I have been discussing some way we can help the town folks
who can’t afford to buy food for their pets. We thought if we could have a cabinet in the Town Hall or library or some inside place that has good hours.
Cat and dog food has become expensive no matter where you live. With winter coming and
these horrific prices, everyone could use some help. And there are those who have to give up their pet due to affordability, even in Deerfield. Even if you lost a pet or can afford to give a few cans, anything to aid those in need would be terrific!
I am willing to supply a cabinet of food (as long as it isn’t huge and someone supplies a
cabinet) with regular cat food and dog food. To start us off. Those who need assistance can
come to the cabinet and take a few cans for their pets. And those who have extra or would
like to help can help supply the cabinet for their neighbors and fellow pet lovers. (Hey, my
birthday is in December and a can of cat food would be a purrrrfect gift! Every town should
have a place where food can be shelved. If there is one in town, please let me know.
I saw this on the news one day where a pair of sisters put out a cabinet on their property to
help others with pet food since they owned a cat themselves. When I give the mailman a food bag in May, I do include a few cans of cat food. With so many shelters getting food to help people in need, why not try to help the cats and
dogs?
Our poor cat was left abandoned when their owners moved and had to beg for food from the neighbors and was eventually brought to a shelter and we claimed Prince. He is the cutest tuxedo cat you have ever seen, though a bit crabby since he is not allowed out in our busy area.
Is there a place in town that would volunteer to either supply a cabinet or let us put a cabinet on their premises? I will be talking to a few places, so look out; I am coming!
Happy Halloween to all the black cats out there and all of you. Thanks, and please remember I will stock the cabinet originally and try to contribute as much as I can.
Shirley Majewski lives in Deerfield. She can be reached at shrlmajewski6@gmail.com.