Meals on Wheels America announced in February that it received a half-million dollar grant from PetSmart Charities to support pet-assistance services for pet-owning older adults, with an emphasis on underfunded areas and populations.
A joint study from the two groups last year that looked into the needs of homebound seniors found that 48% of Meals on Wheels clients receiving pet support did not have anyone else other than Meals on Wheels to help them with pets.
The study also identified service gaps in Meals on Wheels’ pet assistance offerings, which the new grant will help to address.