BTAA, community helping pets in need

Pets, like their people, sometimes need a helping hand, or paw as it were.

And each week, generous community members donate pet food, either dropping it off or having it shipped it to Better Together Animal Alliance. While the gifts are received with immense gratitude, more are needed, BTAA officials said

“We are so thankful for all of the pet food donations we’ve received in recent weeks,” Christi Roberson, BTAA Animal Care Center manager, said. “When we receive food donations, it is used to feed the animals we have in our care, animals in foster care, as well as help stock our community pet food bank. This is such an important service we provide to our region.” 

Animal shelters across the country are seeing new trends in the need for pet assistance, BTAA officials said. Because of housing and other elevated living costs, shelters are seeing a higher-than-normal need for assistance to keep pets with their families, and provide them with food and health care. Adoptions also have significantly slowed which leaves animals in shelter care longer than normal. 

“We don’t want anyone to feel like they need to relinquish a loved pet because they can’t afford to purchase food,” Roberson said. “Studies show that companion animals like cats and dogs are happier and healthier when they can be in homes. Our goal is to keep families together whenever possible and help animals at our care center find a home or a foster home as soon as we can.” 

And that, Roberson said, is where the community can step in, supporting the animals — and their people — in a number of ways.

You can support pets in the following ways: 

• Adopt: Though animals in their care receive enrichment activities, interactions with people throughout the day and medical support, BTAA officials said a shelter can't replace a home. This leads animals who have longer stays in a shelter to become more susceptible to stress, anxiety (which can lead to other forms of illness), or behavior issues. 

• Foster: If you can’t permanently adopt but have some time and patience, fostering can be a great option. Fosters provide a safe, comfortable environment and socialization for the animals and BTAA assists with supplies and veterinary care. 

• Donate: You can provide financial assistance via bettertogetheranimalalliance.org or you can drop items such as dog and cat food, treats, cleaning supplies, and more in one of BTAA’s donation bins locally at Yoke's, Super 1, or North 40. Donations can also be made at the Sandpoint Petco or through BTAA’s wishlist at Chewy.com or on Amazon. Links to both wishlists can be found on the BTAA website under Ways to Give.  

“The animals in our care are so lucky to have the support of our community,” Roberson said. “Having that kind of support allows us to continue to grow much-needed programs and services that help animals and their families throughout our region.” 

To learn more about BTAA, donate, or check out animals available to adopt, visit bettertogetheranimalalliance.org.