Times are tough for many community members—thousands of Central Coast families struggle to pay rent and bills, let alone feeding their four-legged companions. This is why student volunteer Ava Vasquez has coordinated a weeklong pet food drive at her former school, Santa Barbara’s Vieja Valley Elementary, for four years in a row. Her annual drive supports C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Companion Pet Assistance program and, this year, Ava raised 1,230 lbs of food with help of the Vieja Valley’s student council as well as former student Luccia Macaluso. That’s a jump from last year’s 1,220lbs of food.
Ava, now a senior at Santa Barbara’s San Marcos High School, says she really enjoys the opportunity to helping the community. “During the pandemic years, I volunteered at C.A.R.E.4Paws’ mobile veterinary clinic, handing out pet food,” says Vasquez says. “I saw how appreciative the families were, so I thought it would be a really good project to start and also to inspire other students to get involved to help those in need.”
When people live in poverty, so do their pets. Over the last 16 years, C.A.R.E.4Paws has worked to support low-income, senior, disabled and unhoused community members by providing access to critical services, such as veterinary care, spays/neuters and pet food. Since the start of the pandemic, C.A.R.E.4Paws has distributed more than six million pet meals!
It’s never been easier to give back! Help pet families in need by shopping our Amazon and Chewy wish lists to donate pet food and supplies directly to our program. You can also donate at care4paws.org/help.