Articles
“Make a Difference Week” campaign, promoted by the United Way.
Socks, tennis balls and assorted fleece occupied busy hands, as the sound of laughter filled the Kolvoord Community Room inside the Brownell Library. Creations such as ‘sock mice’ and ‘tug-of-war braids’ represented homemade pet toys just waiting to be pounced on and chewed apart. Volunteers from Merchant’s Bank and IBM worked diligently until resources ran out, but the exchange of colorful pet stories provided endless humor to all. This gathering wrapped up a week-long effort to encourage volunteering in local communities, as part of the “Make a Difference Week” campaign, promoted by the United Way.
Lucky dogs and cats from around the community will enjoy the day’s volunteer work for the non-profit organization named “Lucy’s House for the Prevention of Homeless Pets.” Founded by Jan Ellis-Clements, Lucy’s House is a self-start NPO, to provide continuous efforts to keep pets with their families. Donations of pet food and monetary donations are accepted, and 100 percent of all donations fund the mission of keeping pets in their homes. Dedicated volunteers are what make Lucy’s House possible. Toy-making is just one part of efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle. Jan stresses this to owners struggling to keep their pets, especially during trying economic times. By using inexpensive objects found around their homes, they can lower the costs of owning a pet, she said. Volunteers make pet toys on a weekly basis.
“The animals love it,” Jan says.
Donations are always accepted in various forms, but the overall goals of Lucy’s House go beyond the doors of the organization.
“We’re a pet food shelf. We aim to keep pets in their homes and reduce the number of pets abandoned or surrendered,” she said.
Lucy’s house provides over 1800 pounds of pet food each month to local food shelves, individual clients of Meals on Wheels, and Vermont residents in need. So far, Jan is working with four local food shelves in neighboring counties, but she is looking to expand and become a state-wide presence. By allowing pet food donations to food shelves, pet owners can reduce transportation issues and costs to fulfill their needs and the needs of their furry friends. She hopes to take these efforts out into the community by developing a system of pet donation drop-off points, where weekly pick-ups would distribute the donations to participating food shelves.
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine for the River Cove Animal Hospital, Joel English, said it’s a great idea. Pet relinquishment and abandonment is at a an all-time high. Studies credit this to the rise in home foreclosures across America.
“I think people are trying to tighten their budgets, and pets pay the most,” English said.
Basic needs like food and veterinary care can add up for owners, but English promoted preventative care as a money-saver in the long run. He encouraged people to keep an open dialogue with their pet-care provider for advice and support. Besides available low-cost spay and neuter clinics through V-SNIP (Vermont Spay Neuter Incentive Program) and the Humane Society, Vermont does not have many state-wide pet aid programs.
“There’s not a whole lot of programs out there,” English said. “That’s why Lucy’s House is so important.”
Lucy was the name of the first dog Jan took in to help recover from abandonment and malnourishment. Relocating homes can be a traumatic experience for animals, regardless of abuse or neglect. Lucy died before her first birthday, “but she inspired me”, Jan said. Jan endures mobile disabilities as a result of two car accidents. She is supported by two service dogs, Audrey and Faith, that she trains herself. Audrey and Faith assist Jan with functional and recreational living. They can turn lights on and off, help her up and down stairs, pull her wheel chair when she needs a rest, and they even swim with her during aquatic exercises in the lake and reservoir.
“Without them, I couldn’t be as independent and wouldn’t be able to do all the things I need to do,” she said. “I can’t be the person I am without them.”
Audrey and Faith remind Jan every day of their constant companionship, and she understands the value a pet can have in a person’s life. .
“They are the most incredible gift, filled with unconditional love,” she said. She knows there are many others who feel the same way.
Russ of Jeffersonville receives aid from Lucy’s House, in order to feed his pets. Like many Americans, Russ is a struggling pet owner. He emphasized a need for more awareness, even for the basic needs like food. People aren’t the only ones experiencing hard times in this economy, he said.
“I am very fortunate to have their help as they very kindly provide cat food for our two cats on a regular basis,” Russ said. “Having been without steady work for a while, it comes as a literal life-saver and we couldn't keep them without the help of Lucy's House.”
In addition to supporting families with pet food at local food shelves through Lucy’s House, Jan hopes to develop funds for individual distribution of pet food to those unable to obtain any. Individuals can receive help if they show need through state assistance programs, unemployment, disability, or senior programs. Some individuals are referred through churches or organizations that help people with economic needs, she said.
Currently, Jan is promoting donations through the use of Goodsearch.com and Goodshop.com. She has also teamed up with Texas Roadhouse in Williston. Lucy's House has received funding in the past through grants from Petco and Walmart. Other partners include Bow Meow, a pet grooming salon in Essex Junction, K-9 Cookies, Price Chopper, Essex Pretech, Raquet’s Edge, the local Girl Scouts of America and local recreational departments.
To help contribute, Lucy’s House is currently in need of cat food. Additional donations of fleece to make dog and cat beds, old tennis balls, and clean gently used stray socks to make dog and cat toys are welcome.
Lucky dogs and cats from around the community will enjoy the day’s volunteer work for the non-profit organization named “Lucy’s House for the Prevention of Homeless Pets.” Founded by Jan Ellis-Clements, Lucy’s House is a self-start NPO, to provide continuous efforts to keep pets with their families. Donations of pet food and monetary donations are accepted, and 100 percent of all donations fund the mission of keeping pets in their homes. Dedicated volunteers are what make Lucy’s House possible. Toy-making is just one part of efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle. Jan stresses this to owners struggling to keep their pets, especially during trying economic times. By using inexpensive objects found around their homes, they can lower the costs of owning a pet, she said. Volunteers make pet toys on a weekly basis.
“The animals love it,” Jan says.
Donations are always accepted in various forms, but the overall goals of Lucy’s House go beyond the doors of the organization.
“We’re a pet food shelf. We aim to keep pets in their homes and reduce the number of pets abandoned or surrendered,” she said.
Lucy’s house provides over 1800 pounds of pet food each month to local food shelves, individual clients of Meals on Wheels, and Vermont residents in need. So far, Jan is working with four local food shelves in neighboring counties, but she is looking to expand and become a state-wide presence. By allowing pet food donations to food shelves, pet owners can reduce transportation issues and costs to fulfill their needs and the needs of their furry friends. She hopes to take these efforts out into the community by developing a system of pet donation drop-off points, where weekly pick-ups would distribute the donations to participating food shelves.
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine for the River Cove Animal Hospital, Joel English, said it’s a great idea. Pet relinquishment and abandonment is at a an all-time high. Studies credit this to the rise in home foreclosures across America.
“I think people are trying to tighten their budgets, and pets pay the most,” English said.
Basic needs like food and veterinary care can add up for owners, but English promoted preventative care as a money-saver in the long run. He encouraged people to keep an open dialogue with their pet-care provider for advice and support. Besides available low-cost spay and neuter clinics through V-SNIP (Vermont Spay Neuter Incentive Program) and the Humane Society, Vermont does not have many state-wide pet aid programs.
“There’s not a whole lot of programs out there,” English said. “That’s why Lucy’s House is so important.”
Lucy was the name of the first dog Jan took in to help recover from abandonment and malnourishment. Relocating homes can be a traumatic experience for animals, regardless of abuse or neglect. Lucy died before her first birthday, “but she inspired me”, Jan said. Jan endures mobile disabilities as a result of two car accidents. She is supported by two service dogs, Audrey and Faith, that she trains herself. Audrey and Faith assist Jan with functional and recreational living. They can turn lights on and off, help her up and down stairs, pull her wheel chair when she needs a rest, and they even swim with her during aquatic exercises in the lake and reservoir.
“Without them, I couldn’t be as independent and wouldn’t be able to do all the things I need to do,” she said. “I can’t be the person I am without them.”
Audrey and Faith remind Jan every day of their constant companionship, and she understands the value a pet can have in a person’s life. .
“They are the most incredible gift, filled with unconditional love,” she said. She knows there are many others who feel the same way.
Russ of Jeffersonville receives aid from Lucy’s House, in order to feed his pets. Like many Americans, Russ is a struggling pet owner. He emphasized a need for more awareness, even for the basic needs like food. People aren’t the only ones experiencing hard times in this economy, he said.
“I am very fortunate to have their help as they very kindly provide cat food for our two cats on a regular basis,” Russ said. “Having been without steady work for a while, it comes as a literal life-saver and we couldn't keep them without the help of Lucy's House.”
In addition to supporting families with pet food at local food shelves through Lucy’s House, Jan hopes to develop funds for individual distribution of pet food to those unable to obtain any. Individuals can receive help if they show need through state assistance programs, unemployment, disability, or senior programs. Some individuals are referred through churches or organizations that help people with economic needs, she said.
Currently, Jan is promoting donations through the use of Goodsearch.com and Goodshop.com. She has also teamed up with Texas Roadhouse in Williston. Lucy's House has received funding in the past through grants from Petco and Walmart. Other partners include Bow Meow, a pet grooming salon in Essex Junction, K-9 Cookies, Price Chopper, Essex Pretech, Raquet’s Edge, the local Girl Scouts of America and local recreational departments.
To help contribute, Lucy’s House is currently in need of cat food. Additional donations of fleece to make dog and cat beds, old tennis balls, and clean gently used stray socks to make dog and cat toys are welcome.
To learn more about Lucy’s House For the Prevention of Homeless Pets, visit her website at: www.lucyshouseforthepreventionofhomelesspets.com.
Four Legs and a Tail
Written by: Carlin Goodwin in 2013 and published in 2014
Lucy’s House for the Prevention of Homeless Pets
Like many in the Vermont/New Hampshire area, and indeed all across the nation, I am not ignorant of the financial difficulties facing many of our neighbors in these troubled economic times. What I will admit to being ignorant to is the consideration of just how far reaching these needs have extended. Ignorant until, however, I stumbled across a website about a non-profit organization called Lucy’s House for the Prevention of Homeless Pets, a Pet Food Bank located in Essex Junction, VT.
Lucy’s House is an organization assembled in order to help pet owners and the friends they can’t afford to lose, but at times find they can’t always afford to keep. Caring for a pet can be very expensive, and can be especially draining for those whom deal with a low income, medical issues, or the elderly, living on a fixed budget. Lucy’s House helps to assuage these costs as often as they can, in order to help families stay together, and not have to be split up, sending their beloved animal friends to the shelter, or simply abandoning them to fend for themselves, which is emotionally and mentally draining for both pet and owner alike.
As I eagerly checked my email for a message from Jan Ellis-Clements, Executive Director for the Board of Directors of Lucy’s House, I received a message, one large paragraph, apologizing for the lateness of her reply. She was detained by an emergency vet visit for a woman with a puppy who had ingested a small object and needed emergency surgery. She explained that she was pre-occupied with setting up a medical appointment and trying to figure out the payment for the procedure, as the medical funding they receive was not due for another month. Luckily through a partnership with a local vet as well as the understanding of the veterinarian in practice, they were able to make arrangements to save the puppy, and I’m sure, the happy and relieved puppy-parent as well. I was taken aback by Ms. Ellis-Clements politeness in thinking that she should apologize to me, as I was simply staring at a laptop screen, while she was helping to save a life, possibly two. But considering all of the good works that Lucy’s does, kindness seems to be a trait they carry in excess.
Besides helping with emergency medical bills and delivering 18,000 pounds of food a month to food banks and meals on wheels programs, Lucy’s also offers support in dog training and pet planning for possible imminent relocation , and information on Trap-Neuter-Release programs for feral cat population control in order to cut down the homeless animal population explosion in the area. There are multiple ways that we as a community can help to support Lucy’s House, including donations of money, pet food, homemade dog biscuits and dog and cat toys.
A lot of people all over are making a lot of sacrifices in how they live and their quality of life through no fault of their own. And we donate what we can; canned foods, water bottles, send texts to various phone numbers in order to help out where we can. But to make a big difference in the stomachs AND hearts of many, it’s as easy as dropping off a bag of kibble. How much do we have to sacrifice to survive in today’s economic climate to keep our families together? Thanks to the big hearts and sharp minds at Lucy’s House, not more than we can bear.
Donations can be sent to:
Lucy’s House for the Prevention of Homeless Pets, Inc.
Attention: Executive Director Jan Ellis-Clements
21 Foster Road
Essex Junction, VT 05452
You can also call: (802) 879-0898 or find them on Facebook to learn about more opportunities to help, or to volunteer your time.
Written by: Carlin Goodwin in 2013 and published in 2014
Lucy’s House for the Prevention of Homeless Pets
Like many in the Vermont/New Hampshire area, and indeed all across the nation, I am not ignorant of the financial difficulties facing many of our neighbors in these troubled economic times. What I will admit to being ignorant to is the consideration of just how far reaching these needs have extended. Ignorant until, however, I stumbled across a website about a non-profit organization called Lucy’s House for the Prevention of Homeless Pets, a Pet Food Bank located in Essex Junction, VT.
Lucy’s House is an organization assembled in order to help pet owners and the friends they can’t afford to lose, but at times find they can’t always afford to keep. Caring for a pet can be very expensive, and can be especially draining for those whom deal with a low income, medical issues, or the elderly, living on a fixed budget. Lucy’s House helps to assuage these costs as often as they can, in order to help families stay together, and not have to be split up, sending their beloved animal friends to the shelter, or simply abandoning them to fend for themselves, which is emotionally and mentally draining for both pet and owner alike.
As I eagerly checked my email for a message from Jan Ellis-Clements, Executive Director for the Board of Directors of Lucy’s House, I received a message, one large paragraph, apologizing for the lateness of her reply. She was detained by an emergency vet visit for a woman with a puppy who had ingested a small object and needed emergency surgery. She explained that she was pre-occupied with setting up a medical appointment and trying to figure out the payment for the procedure, as the medical funding they receive was not due for another month. Luckily through a partnership with a local vet as well as the understanding of the veterinarian in practice, they were able to make arrangements to save the puppy, and I’m sure, the happy and relieved puppy-parent as well. I was taken aback by Ms. Ellis-Clements politeness in thinking that she should apologize to me, as I was simply staring at a laptop screen, while she was helping to save a life, possibly two. But considering all of the good works that Lucy’s does, kindness seems to be a trait they carry in excess.
Besides helping with emergency medical bills and delivering 18,000 pounds of food a month to food banks and meals on wheels programs, Lucy’s also offers support in dog training and pet planning for possible imminent relocation , and information on Trap-Neuter-Release programs for feral cat population control in order to cut down the homeless animal population explosion in the area. There are multiple ways that we as a community can help to support Lucy’s House, including donations of money, pet food, homemade dog biscuits and dog and cat toys.
A lot of people all over are making a lot of sacrifices in how they live and their quality of life through no fault of their own. And we donate what we can; canned foods, water bottles, send texts to various phone numbers in order to help out where we can. But to make a big difference in the stomachs AND hearts of many, it’s as easy as dropping off a bag of kibble. How much do we have to sacrifice to survive in today’s economic climate to keep our families together? Thanks to the big hearts and sharp minds at Lucy’s House, not more than we can bear.
Donations can be sent to:
Lucy’s House for the Prevention of Homeless Pets, Inc.
Attention: Executive Director Jan Ellis-Clements
21 Foster Road
Essex Junction, VT 05452
You can also call: (802) 879-0898 or find them on Facebook to learn about more opportunities to help, or to volunteer your time.