Longmont Meals on Wheels expands to include pet care

Meals on Wheels ((MOW) provides so much more than hot food to its clients in Longmont and Niwot. The organization also provides wellness checks, and because of those checks, they were inspired to start an emergency pet assistance program.

"A few years ago we had a few clients over the course of a couple years who did not want to go to the hospital on paramedics' suggestions," said Katherine Wiser, the Longmont MOW development and communications director. "And the reason was that they didn't know what to do with their beloved pet if they went to the hospital. We needed to come up with a way of supporting our participants' concerns for their pet in a medical emergency."

Since then, Longmont's MOW has worked with the Longmont Humane society to make arrangements for pets whose owners need to go to the hospital. The Humane Society has partnered with other Longmont nonprofits to provide similar care to clients in case of emergency.

MOW keeps funds earmarked for this particular program which means that clients don't need to pay anything. The MOW team also provides "pet emergency information cards" so the humane society is aware of the pet's needs and any other relevant information.

Clients can learn about this and other services during their daily wellness checks. In case a client doesn't come to the door to pick up their meal, MOW volunteers are trained to stay at the client's house until they make contact with the individual or their emergency contact. In some cases, MOW will send staff to relieve a volunteer in emergent cases and will call 911 if necessary.

"We just never want the reason [why] one of our participants doesn't get the medical help they need to be their pet, especially if it's something we can help with," said Wiser.

More information about MOW, its programs and volunteer/donation opportunities can be found at https://www.longmontmeals.org/about