Organization Hopes to Distribute at Least 50,000 Meals to Pets in Need During Inaugural “MSPCA-Angell Gives Back” Event
BOSTON, Nov. 22, 2024 – The MSPCA-Angell is flipping the script this year—focusing its efforts on Giving Tuesday, December 3, on helping pets and people in communities who need a boost this holiday season.
“Giving Tuesday is a time when nonprofits traditionally ask for help, but given the growing need we’re seeing in the community, we thought it made sense to change it up,” explained MSPCA-Angell Vice President of Animal Protection, Mike Keiley. “This year has been tough for a lot of people financially, and when people experience food insecurity, their pets do too.”
“We’ve been partnering with human food pantries so people can get food for their entire household in one place, but our pop-up food pantries help reach even more pets in need, so that’s where we want to focus on Giving Tuesday.”
For the first time in its 150+ year history, the MSPCA-Angell is hosting multiple pop-up events simultaneously in most of the communities that its Community Outreach teams serve—Dorchester, Lawrence, Lynn, Hyannis, and Springfield—areas that have historically lacked access to affordable veterinary care and support.
“Our Community Outreach teams focus on specific areas for a reason: We want to bring affordable care to those who have generally been denied it. Now, we have a very lofty goal—to distribute at least 50,000 pet meals in a single day for animals in need—and it’s going to require all hands on deck from across our organization to get it done,” Keiley added.
More information may be found at mspca.org/givingtuesday.
Pet Meals, Vaccines, and Microchips, Oh My!
In addition to distributing free pet meals on December 3, the MSPCA-Angell will also offer free vaccines and microchips at each location.
“Our goal is to vaccinate and microchip 350 pets across all the clinics,” expounded Keiley, noting that veterinary staff from across the organization’s clinics and hospitals will be participating to ensure that people have access to vaccines that protect against deadly contagious illnesses like parvovirus in dogs and panleukopenia in cats.
“These clinics require a lot of resources—Community Outreach staffers who oversee everything and work directly with clients, veterinarians and technicians to administer vaccines, as well as volunteers to help with logistics, like setting up, organizing and handing out supplies, and directing traffic.”
The MSPCA-Angell expects roughly 50 staff members to participate, as well a dozen volunteers.
“Everyone at our organization feels passionately about giving back to help ensure that pets are getting the support they need to thrive in homes with people who love them,” Keiley added. “But, in order for us to be most successful, we also need a lot of help from the community.”
Join MSPCA-Angell’s Giving Back Tuesday!
“Our biggest need right now is pet food,” Keiley explained. “50,000 meals is a tall order, especially when we’re still feeding all the cats and dogs in our shelters.”
The MSPCA-Angell is asking for pet food donations to be dropped off at any of its shelters in Boston, Salem, Methuen, and Centerville on Cape Cod. Supporters can also order food to be sent directly to shelters via their wish lists, which can be found at mspca.org/wishlist.
Supporters may also donate to help offset the roughly $27,000 cost of the food, vaccines, and microchips at mspca.org/givingtuesday.
