Should pets receive Food Stamps?

Posted on by
Reply

If you are out of work, down on your luck, or disabled, the government’s Food Stamps program can be a lifesaver.

But what about the dogs and cats that live with many of these people? It’s been an ongoing debate for years: Should they get assistance too?

Should Puppies Get Help?

Lauren Scott and her friends love her new puppy. But even they don’t think little Baxie, or any dog, should be eligible for Food Stamps.

“I don’t think they should be spending government money on an animal that they don’t need,” Scott said.

“I think it’s more of a luxury than a necessity,” another of her friends said.

Everyone we spoke with in a downtown lunchtime crowd told us Food Stamps should be for people, not pets.

“I believe Food Stamps should be used for the children and the family at home, not for pets or cats or dogs or birds,” said Shonda Thompson.

But if you are among the 40 million families who can’t afford food for your table, you can’t afford decent dog food.

While you can buy Coke or Mountain Dew with your assistance card, you can’t buy dog food. There’s no federal program that provides help for pets.

New Service Offers Help

So one entrepreneur is trying to fix that, creating a non-profit company called ” Pet Food Stamps.org .”

It relies solely on donations.

The goal: Help strapped pet owners who might otherwise turn their pet over to a shelter, where they are then put to sleep.

Becky Reiter of the Boone County Animal Shelter said back in December that it’s becoming a real problem.

“In the last few years,” she said, “we’ve seen an increase in the number of animals turned in by their owners. We believe that the economy is having an effect on some middle class families ability to afford to spay and neuter and the cost of taking on a pet.”

Already, almost 200,000 people have applied for help at PetFoodStamps.org .

Thousands more are donating to prevent people from abandoning animals because they cant afford to feed them.

So you may want to consider a pet adoption, or just helping out, so you don’t waste your money.

As always, don’t waste your money.

Have a Heart for Landon

Posted on by
Reply

Have A Heart For Landon

Landon Everett Otto, son of Derek Otto and Jennifer Heaton of Oxford, Ohio was diagnosed on November 3rd with Pulmonary Atresia Intact Ventricular Septum two months and six days before he was born. This affected his hearts ability to pump blood into his lungs. On January 9th, 2013 Landon took his first breath and was taken immediately to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and so began his journey. Soon after birth a cardiac cath revealed that his condition was worse than originally thought. The veins surrounding his heart had multiple stenosis (narrowing) and no amount of surgeries would allow him a chance at a quality life. In order for him survive he would need a complete heart transplant. Due to the extent of his disease Landon was put under heavy sedation to help him cope which left his family unable to hold their precious baby boy for several weeks. On January 16th , one week after his birth he was officially on the transplant list, during this time Landon showed his true strength and fighting spirit by defying the odds and had many triumphs throughout his difficult journey. Aside from dealing with this heart wrenching journey of Landon’s condition, his family had to leave their home in Oxford and reside at the Ronald McDonald House. Sadly, on March 5th Landon’s battle ended and went onto be with the Lord. Although his time with us was short he impacted and changed many lives. While he was unable to receive the heart donation he so desperately needed, he himself was able to be an organ donator.

Family, friends, and loved ones will be holding a memorial fundraiser on May 4th, 2013 at the American Legion Yager Benson Post in Harrison, Ohio. The Have a Heart for Landon Memorial Fundraiser is an event to celebrate Landon’s life, to help raise awareness of the importance of organ donation, and support a family during their time of need. Today we are asking from your establishment to make this a success, as the family is facing such a difficult time.  A photo scavenger hunt, silent auction, raffle, split the pot, corn hole tournament will be featured at the memorial fund. Please help support this Ohio family’s memorial fundraiser by donating to us from your company’s gift certificates/gift cards, or a gift basket of your company’s product. All donations big or small are greatly appreciated and we would be honored to have your help. The proceeds will go directly to the family with portions of the proceeds going to the Ronald McDonald House and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Cardiac Unit.

We ask that you join this important cause, help support this family while giving back to two great organizations that give so much to our community; The Ronald McDonald House and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.  Any contribution will be greatly appreciated by Landon’s family and supporters. Our EIN number for Landon’s Have A Heart For Landon Memorial Fundraiser is

61-1706476.

You may contact Tammy Bennett at 513-623-9457, Stacy Katz at 513-325-3857, or Ashley Burns at 513-226-5075. For more information visit www.facebook.com/HaveAHeartForLandon.

Any monetary gifts can be deposited at any US Bank under Have A Heart For Landon Memorial.