OUR SENIORS AND THEIR PETS NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
The North Star Council on Aging (NSCoA), a/k/a Fairbanks Senior Center (FSC), is excited to announce we're entering the fifth year of our pet program. “Pets Need Vets” supports senior pet owners with costs related to their pets’ veterinary care.
This is where we need your community support!
According to studies of pet ownership, there are well-documented social, emotional, and health benefits. However, with recent rent, heat, gas, and grocery price increases, it is difficult for Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) seniors to provide adequate veterinary care for the pets they love. The FSC pet program was created to sustain our mission of helping seniors love their pets, and so both can live independently together in their homes.
“Veterinary care is key to a pet living a long and healthy life. Last fiscal year, we helped 77 seniors with 96 pets, supporting the gifts an animal’s love gives to our amazing pioneers. We are grateful to help our seniors love their pets!”, states Darlene Supplee, Executive Director of the Fairbanks Senior Center.
With vet care, community support in the form of monetary or in-kind donations, FSC intends to extend the “Pets Need Vets” program to provide for other essential costs such as specialized food, necessary grooming, and nail clipping. Any businesses or individuals providing pet services interested in increasing access to seniors in-need are welcome to inquire about getting involved in the program. For valuable community members and business partners who are wishing to donate, or help make additional pet support a reality, visit fairbanksseniorcenter.org, or call (907) 452 – 1735 for more information.
About the Senior Center:
Alaska has the fastest growing senior population of all the states at 63%. These amazing pioneers have built the wonderful community we call home. In the FNSB, our 80 and older cohort is currently 1,800 and will grow to over 5,000 by 2030, which is a 211% increase. Your Fairbanks Senior Center is actively solidifying imperative base services to help our beloved pioneers remain living independently at home. The Fairbanks Senior Center calls this an “Aging in Place Movement” which consists of home modification, wellness checks, Meals on Wheels and congregate meals, socialization, pet veterinary program, exercise and educational classes, homemaker services, and connection to programs that enhance financial security. Call 907-452-1735 to see how you can make a difference in a local senior’s life.
Help us celebrate our seniors’ pets all throughout the year by being a part of our "Pets Need Vets" program by supporting our seniors’ passions and desires to age at home with their beloved fur-babies. You can help show your support by helping us help our seniors by providing pet food, supplies, and medications through financial donations. Not only are you ensuring that no senior goes without, you are also helping to ensure that our seniors live long and healthy lives with their faithful companions, and without the financial worry while they remain living in their own home.
We are looking forward to a great and successful year of pet giving!