ABOUT US

AID a Pet fills a need that no organization does. It steps forward to help impoverished people care for their pets.
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For 20 years it has helped keep dogs and cats off Hartford’s streets, or in the pound; instead, animals live in loving, forever homes.

AID a Pet distributes pet food as well as supplies such as bedding, warm coats, collars and leashes at no charge. And, whenever possible, it provides funds for veterinary care, especially for spay/neuters and emergencies.  Perhaps most important, AID a Pet guides people to better understand how  nutrition, preventative care, and pro-active health decisions  benefit their beloved pet, and those kind of health decisions can lead THEM to live better lives. 

AID a Pet is offered to patients of Charter Oak Health Center in Hartford. The Center's mission is to provide health care services to medically undeserved communities so AID a Pet is a natural extension of that mission. 

D O N A T E

OUR VOLUNTEERS

Our volunteers generously donate their time and effort into helping the greater Hartford community.

JANIS

Janis may have one of the hardest AID a Pet responsibilities because she handles the calls from people in difficulty. Janis hears about a pet that’s been hit by a car, a cat with a tumor, a woman who has taken in a dog but needs to have it spayed and then wants help in getting it a forever home. It goes on and on. Fortunately Janis has years of experience and a huge network of veterinarians and people who will help. In many ways Janis is a key link for people in need and AID a Pet. And in addition, she has a houseful of cats she’s rescued from the streets of Hartford and gives them daily love and care. 

RALPH

Ralph gets up at the crack of dawn to make sure he gets to the AID a Pet early on a distribution day. Sometimes he walks, but in very frigid weather he might take the bus.  He says “I really like to help people.” Ralph knows you have to act quickly to hand people pet food and supplies and get them on their way. So he divides large 40 lb. bags of pet food into manageable 5 lb containers. Then he makes sure everyone who comes to the pantry gets an equitable amount for their pet, including snacks!

CHELSEA

The people who line up at the pet pantry are often tired, destitute and anxious to go on with their day. Chelsea just naturally understands how they’re feeling and  it’s the warm way she says “how can we help you this morning dear..” that gets a smile on their face every time. Chelsea goes out of her way after work and on weekends to collect food donations because she knows that people depend on it. Chelsea also makes every volunteer feel appreciated…. sometimes just by bringing ice cream on a particularly busy day!

CARLOS

More than seventy five percent of the people AID a Pet serves are Spanish speaking. Carlos not only checks clients in but he moves effortlessly from Spanish to English. If someone asks for a “coat for a small dog” it’s Carlos who sends a volunteer to find and return with just the right item. He’s also one of the volunteers who lives in the community which helps give AID a Pet credibility because he knows what his neighbors deal with every day.  
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NEILSA

Nielsa has taken on the responsibility for organizing all the donations AID a Pet receives.. dog food, cat food, leashes, collars, warm sweaters and coats. That way, when someone says “I have a female pit bull who needs a sweater” it only takes a minute to find what makes her and the dog happy! Nielsa lives in the Frog Hollow community and her neighborhood connections and bilingual ability are extremely important for AID a Pet. Plus, she has cat and two Chihuahuas so she knows what it’s like to have multiple animals to care for. 
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ELIZABETH

When she retired, Elizabeth wanted to focus on organizations that help animals and prevent animal cruelty. For many years she has worked with an animal rescue group and also lobbied for animal friendly bills at the state legislature. What attracted her to AID a Pet was the dedication of Lorie and all the volunteers and the tremendous need to help the low income people and their animals in Hartford. She feels that her involvement in AID a Pet really makes a difference.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

AID a Pet is run completely by volunteers so all donations of goods and money go directly to serve the people who need them so badly, and their deserving animals.
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Most of the volunteers live in the community and know what their neighbors deal with every day. They appreciate how they struggle to feed themselves and their animals and how important even a warm blanket can be.

Pick up pet food that is donated or
purchased

Provide transportation to people and their pets to area veterinarians and clinics

Help distribute food and supplies from
the AID a Pet Pantry

To volunteer for Aid a Pet please go to the Contact page and complete the information so we can contact you.